Barrie Police are reminding residents that e-scooters cannot be legally operated on public property in the city, and say officers will begin taking enforcement action against their use.
Traffic Unit Det. Const. Ron Hunt addressed the issue in a video posted by Barrie Police, saying there is confusion about where e-scooters can legally be used in the city.
"In the City of Barrie, they are currently illegal to be used on roadways, sidewalks, city-owned property, parks, or trails," Hunt said.
He said the only place an e-scooter can currently be operated in Barrie is on private property, provided there is no sign prohibiting their use.
There is a limited exception for an authorized e-scooter rental program at Centennial Park. Those e-scooters are restricted to the central waterfront area and are subject to specific requirements, including a minimum age of 16. Riders are also expected to follow all applicable rules while using them.
Hunt said Ontario has regulations allowing municipalities to permit e-scooters under a provincial pilot program, but Barrie has not opted into the program.
"So there's no bylaw covering the use of these, so they are illegal to be used in areas that I mentioned," he stated.
Hunt said officers will begin taking enforcement action under the Highway Traffic Act and Ontario regulations.
"It is highly recommended that you look up your local bylaws in any municipality that you're going to with regard to what is required and the restrictions with regard to e-scooters," he said.
Ontario launched a five-year pilot program in January 2020 allowing municipalities to permit e-scooters through a bylaw, subject to provincial operating requirements.
The pilot was extended in 2024 and now runs until 2029.
Under the pilot, e-scooters can travel at a maximum speed of 24 kilometres per hour and must be equipped with lights, brakes, and a bell. They can weigh no more than 45 kilograms.
Riders must be at least 16 years old. Riders under 18 must wear a helmet, passengers are not permitted, and e-scooters cannot be ridden on sidewalks.
But municipalities have to opt in through a bylaw.
Between July 28 and Sept. 1, 2025, the City of Barrie commissioned a survey about e-scooters. About 1,200 people responded.
Of those, 51.3 per cent were in favour of allowing personal e-scooters in Barrie, while 42.1 per cent were opposed and 6.6 per cent were unsure.
Respondents were also asked where personal e-scooters should be allowed if they were permitted:
- 836 said bike lanes
- 510 said city streets
- 444 said multi-use trails
- 258 said none of those locations
- 92 selected another option.
At the same time, 60.5 per cent of respondents said they had concerns about permitting e-scooters in Barrie. Another 34.90 per cent said they did not have concerns, while 4.6 per cent were unsure.
The two biggest concerns identified in the survey were non-compliance with regulations, such as riding in unauthorized areas or without appropriate safety equipment, at 39.5 per cent, and pedestrian safety, at 32 per cent.
In a memo to city council on Dec. 10, 2025, city staff provided an update on the provincial pilot, e-scooter use in Barrie and the survey results.
Staff said there had not yet been enough data gathered by the Ministry of Transportation to fully understand the risks associated with broader e-scooter use, develop best practices for managing safety and liability, or determine whether existing infrastructure and regulatory requirements are adequate.
The memo said demand for e-scooters is evident, but uncertainties remain.
As a result, the City said it was not pursuing participation in the provincial e-scooter pilot program and would continue monitoring the pilot through its extended duration.
