The Municipality of Kincardine will not be taking part in the province’s pilot study on e-scooters.
Council made the decision at Wednesday’s meeting.
On June 10th, council had directed staff to bring back a report on a path forward for e-scooter use and operation within the municipality.
The report was delivered on August 26th, providing two options to council with its findings.
Council could have chosen to opt-in to help gather findings on best practices for safety, where the e-scooters could possibly be used, and enforcement.
Several members of council referred to recent national news stories and published findings about the dangers of e-scooter use, and said that they were uncomfortable with opting in.
The staff report recommended that Kincardine maintain its current status of not participating in the pilot study, and to continue providing educational material on e-scooters within the municipality.
Staff made that recommendation, citing the strategic priority to protect people and property.
According to the municipality’s Manager of Legislative Services Jennifer Lawrie, this means that e-scooters are not permitted to be used on Kincardine’s roads, sidewalks, at municipal parks or on trails, at beaches, or on sports fields and playing fields.
Provincial legislation also said that the use of e-scooters would only be permitted for anyone over the age of 16.
The restriction is based on the Highway Traffic Act.
Based on the Municipality of Kincardine’s information page regarding e-scooters, any violation of those restrictions is enforced by the OPP.