Council talks proposed bylaw against bikes, e-scooters on sidewalks

Goderich town council is hoping to introduce a bylaw banning bicycles and e-scooters from local sidewalks. But while all council members are seemingly in favour of passing the bylaw, they acknowledge that there are still discussions to be had regarding how enforcement would work. E-scooters are already prohibited on sidewalks under the Highway Traffic Act, [...]

Article content Goderich town council is hoping to introduce a bylaw banning bicycles and e-scooters from local sidewalks. But while all council members are seemingly in favour of passing the bylaw, they acknowledge that there are still discussions to be had regarding how enforcement would work. Recommended Videos E-scooters are already prohibited on sidewalks under the Highway Traffic Act, but creating a bylaw would place enforcement on municipal staff rather than local OPP.

“It’s a legitimate concern, and we’re not the only municipality who’s dealing with this,” said Mayor Trevor Bazinet at the July 13 council meeting. Bazinet mentioned earlier in the meeting that the Municipality of Kincardine had a death in their community due to a collision in the last year. Coun.

Liz Petrie got behind the proposed bylaw immediately, suggesting an educational curriculum for students. “There needs to be an education piece to this,” she said. “I don’t know if it will change everybody’s mind, but it certainly will make the public aware of what we can and can not do.”

Petrie suggested the OPP and bylaw officers make multiple visits to local schools to discuss the dangers and fines associated with riding e-scooters and bicycles on sidewalks. Deputy Mayor Leah Noel continued the conversation, saying this is a problem all across the province. “This is a problem.

The City of Toronto is talking about this in a big way,” she said. “I think there are lots of other municipalities dealing with the same issue. Enforcement is a problem, safety is a problem.

There are so many things going into this, and we all recognize that something needs to be done.” Coun. John Thompson spoke on the subject, saying he believes the issue is complicated.

“I think it’s always a concern to have a bylaw that you’re not prepared to enforce. That’s a big problem,” he said. Thompson explained that he had seen the issue first hand, noting that bicycle and e-scooter riders on the sidewalks are very common in Courthouse Square and around his home.

While all of council seems to agree on the issue, they have opted to wait for additional staff reports and legislation coming from the province before making a decision.