South Simcoe Police are urging parents to think twice before buying e‑scooters for their kids, saying the devices remain not permitted on public roads, sidewalks, parks, or school zones in both Innisfil and Bradford - despite their growing popularity.
Sergeant Matthew Kernan, Traffic and Marine Unit, says confusion is widespread, but the rules are clear. “By default, they’re not allowed, they’re not permitted,” he said during an interview on Barrie 360's What Barrie's Talking About. “Simply put, they are not allowed on any of our public streets, roads, shoulders, sidewalks, any real public space…in Innisfil and Bradford.” The same goes for Barrie and other municipalities in Simcoe County.
Ontario has created a provincial pilot program that lets municipalities opt in and set local rules. Neither Innisfil nor Bradford has done so. That means e‑scooters remain off‑limits everywhere except private property - and even that comes with challenges.
“You can ride it on private property…but it’s pretty challenging,” Kernan said, noting that large commercial parking lots are still private property and require permission from the owner. “Just because you can buy it at a store doesn’t mean you can drive it on roadways.”
Listen to our interview with Sgt. Kernan. It begins at the 11:55 mark
Police say the issue is becoming more urgent as e‑scooter injuries climb across Canada. Kernan points to recent pediatric data showing a sharp rise in serious injuries and even fatalities. Young riders often lack road awareness, weaving unpredictably through traffic and darting between parked cars.
“The rules haven’t necessarily caught up to it,” Kernan said. “Parents really need to know the rules and think twice before they purchase those for their children.”
He adds that officers do speak with kids and parents when they see e‑scooters on the road, but enforcement remains difficult because the devices are new and widely misunderstood.
Mobility scooters - often used by seniors - fall under different rules and are not affected by the e‑scooter restrictions.
As conversations continue at the provincial and municipal levels, Kernan says any future changes will require coordination between municipalities, police, and the courts. For now, the message is simple: leave e‑scooters off public roads and sidewalks.
