Police in southwestern Ontario are warning the public about the dangers of riding electric scooters on highways after a video showing an e-scooter weaving through traffic on Highway 7/8 in Kitchener, Ont. circulated on social media.
The video was shared by the Waterloo Regional Police Service on Thursday. It showed the e-scooter operator travelling on Highway 7/8 in the Ottawa Street area.
“This video captures an e-scooter travelling at an excessive speed on the expressway alongside full-sized vehicles,” the post from police said.
The e-scooter rider was also seen weaving between vehicles to change lanes.
E-scooters not permitted on provincial highways
Although highways fall under the jurisdiction of Ontario Provincial Police, Waterloo Regional Police confirmed e-scooter riders must adhere to many of the same rules cyclists do.
Ontario’s e-scooter pilot program allows municipalities to decide whether to permit their use within their jurisdictions. However, e-scooters are not permitted on controlled-access highways, including 400-series highways and the Queen Elizabeth Way.
The provincial pilot program also sets a maximum speed of 24 km/h for e-scooters.
If a municipality allows the use of e-scooters on other highways, the scooter can only be used in a bicycle lane or, in the absence of one, along the right shoulder of the highway or as close to the edge as possible.
Penalties for violations can range from $250 to $2,500.
Const. Randi Crawford, a community engagement officer with the Ontario Provincial Police, is reminding riders that e-scooters are not permitted on provincial highways.
“I think common sense would dictate that that’s for safety, foremost,” she said.
Crawford said riders have little protection if they are involved in a collision with a vehicle.
“You can see that there’s hardly any protection, right?” she said, referring to the rider in the video. ”A vehicle is a large object. Look at the damage we see between two vehicles colliding... the damage that can cause to the people inside, let alone someone who’s on a scooter who doesn’t have any protection on them whatsoever.”
Weaving creates risks for motorists
Crawford said a rider moving between lanes can also create a hazard for motorists who aren’t expecting to encounter an e-scooter on a highway.
“So the other people around are probably thinking, what is going on? This person is not supposed to be here,” she said.
“So that causes a risk in itself because... they’re in shock a little bit. It takes a second to process and then they’re slowing down. Maybe they’re looking to see if they could shift in their lanes a little bit. So, having something on the highway that is not supposed to be there is definitely a risk for everybody.”
CAA South Central Ontario echoed that sentiment.
Teresa Di Felice, the organization’s assistant vice-president of government and community relations, said riders can become vulnerable road users when operating around larger vehicles.
“E-Scooters are designed for a very localized, limited use. I think what we see is, as an example in the video that was released, someone is doing generally not safe habits or practices,” she stated.
De Felice said e-scooter riders can be difficult for motorists to see.
“So these would be like pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, this is very similar to e-scooters. When someone is on an e-scooter, they become a vulnerable road user because they don’t have the same level of protections and they can’t be seen and operated the same way as a vehicle can.”
Crawford said motorists who encounter an e-scooter in live highway lanes should not attempt to confront the rider.
“In this particular situation, this would be an emergency situation. That person’s not only putting themselves at risk, but also those around them. So, I would encourage motorists to contact 911 and say, ‘there is a person on a scooter in these live lanes and we’re worried about their safety.’”
She said drivers should also slow down and leave space around the scooter.
“You want to drive defensively. And that’s just that’s not just for somebody on an e-scooter that you’re not used to seeing. It’s 24/7... every day, every night. Everybody should drive defensively and cautiously and also compassionately. Let’s all be compassionate for others and give each other space.”
Health system sees motorized-device injuries
The warning comes as Waterloo Regional Health Network reported 145 emergency-department visits related to falls involving electric or motorized devices during the 2025-26 fiscal year.
The category included e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards and other motorized devices.
The health network’s emergency physicians advised against using the devices because the speeds they can reach can result in serious injuries.
Di Felice said health-care providers across the province have also raised concerns about injuries involving e-scooters.
“We’ve heard this from Sunnybrook Hospital, in Toronto, but also the operating a trauma center that there’s an increase in the number of injuries that that they’re seeing on people, severe injuries.”
She said many injuries are sustained by the riders themselves.
“It is really important to sort of take a look at what’s happening, heed the warnings, be informed, protect yourselves in whatever way, and follow the rules of the road, including not riding where you’re not supposed to.”
Rules vary by municipality
Crawford said the provincial pilot program is creating some confusion because municipalities can decide whether to permit e-scooters.
“The e-scooter law is actually a pilot right now until 2029. So, we have quite a few years left where all the municipalities can choose whether they want to permit e-scooters in each of their municipalities or not.”
Di Felice said riders need to understand the rules before using an e-scooter on public roads.
“Ignorance of the law is no excuse.”
Officials said the rules are ultimately about protecting everyone on the road.
“It’s not just about jumping on a e-scooter and having a joyride. There’s a lot to it, and the consequences are. It all stems from safety first. We don’t want to be the fun police. We want to get you to and from all the places you want to safely.”
