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Scoot Toronto

Scoot Toronto

@scootto.ca

110 followers 830 following 210 posts

E-scooter advocacy in Toronto…working to end the “ban”… https://www.scootto.ca/subscribe

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Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · Apr 5

We are looking for stories from Torontonians about how you use your e-scooter, if you are interested in sharing your stories on here get in touch!

Reposted by Scoot Toronto

ℳatt @matttomic.bsky.social · 1d

At the 12 second mark, that camera operator called an audible and just said "fuck it, the lane is clear, no tripping hazards, I'm winning a Sports Emmy for cinematography right now"

Ian Hunter @bluejayhunter.com · 1d

"I was born ready. I was born ready. And I want it all for this city."

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 1d

Right, so same thing as happened for e-bikes…TPA can just order some and put them in the existing system…which will be a lot less scary for people than letting lime/bird/whatever run their own thing…and better for existing customers…

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 1d

It should be as simple as just putting in an order for their scooters…I think we even use their software…so just turn on the scooter feature (maybe not exactly, but shouldn’t require a whole new supplier etc)

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 1d

lyfturbansolutions.com/cities/toron...

Toronto Bike Share Program | Lyft Urban Solutions

Bike Share in Toronto. Over 5000 bikes and 460 smart stations, 24/7 technical support. Find out how we help Toronto run smarter and more efficiently since 2011.

lyfturbansolutions.com

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 1d

lyfturbansolutions.com/products?gad... the folks that make the docks and e-bikes…we have the Iconic bikes…

🚲 Lyft Urban Solutions' high-quality equipment

Discover our unique, customized and innovative shared micromobility solutions, composed of bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters and smart stations.

lyfturbansolutions.com

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 1d

Chicago’s system is really interesting because 40% of their usage is e-scooters…that’s a lot of demand for mobility lanes, and a lot more ebike charging stations!

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 1d

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 1d

Please explain why…the scooters are compatible with the existing docks…it’s the same company…

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 1d

This problem has been solved…

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 1d

Yup…although there are benefits to running a hybrid system (docks and parking spots), which is lower capital expense and vehicles closer to users…this is true for bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters…

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 1d

We strongly encourage the city to get on with allowing e-scooters in the city…and thanks Shawn for the article!

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 1d

Most scooter users are hurt or killed by cars, and most of these issues can be mitigated in the same way as with bikes and pedestrians…separation, infrastructure and slowing down cars…scooter users injuries have been shown in a Rutgers study to have a shorter hospital stay than e-bikes…

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 1d

Like racing, collecting, research, etc. Finally with regard to the reports from the hospitals, they are very specifically saying that the injuries are increasing commensurate with usage…this is expected…and no cause for alarm…injuries increase with car usage as well…

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 1d

Or already exists in some form (ie all lithium batteries must be certified to transport via truck, plane, train or plane in Canada)…so further rules on lithium batteries don’t make a lot of sense, and there could be legitimate private reasons to sell scooters that would preclude federal laws

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 1d

As for federal and provincial legislation, most of what Toronto is looking for is specific to our own operating environment (Barbara Gray wants wheel size limits from the province, but could just do it in a bylaw, since we are 1/3 cities in the province with streetcar tracks - her reason)

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 1d

Secondly it’s not just that they can’t be operated. They also can’t be parked on public property. This goes against the cities own hopes to minimize fires (a very unlikely thing to begin with), but outdoor storage can reduce the risk (as can a well maintained shared system)

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 1d

First off, any shared scooter system in Toronto should be run by the city and use existing bike share docks…PBSC (now Lyft) the company that sells us the bikes and docks sells scooters that fit in the docks…they can also be operated in a hybrid mode where they can be parked in defined spots…

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 1d

Thanks to @shawnmicallef.bsky.social for a much more optimistic look at e-scooters…The Star has not been kind to us in the past…lots of good stuff in here, but we just want to highlight a few things that we think would help steer the debate 🧵 www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

Shawn Micallef: E-scooters are here to stay. It’s time for Toronto to act boldly

Currently Toronto’s position is, officially, “e-scooters are not permitted to be operated on public roads, sidewalks or paths,” yet it's easy to see people using them everyday, and they are

www.thestar.com

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 9d

Then not having insurance will keep people accountable. You can just take them to court if there is a problem.

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 9d

We’d love to know if you have any stats pointing to the need for insurance…how much liability are edevices responsible for?

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 9d

If you think that’s a good way to go, we believe a surcharge on the sale of all new e-devices could accomplish that better than requiring everyone to acquire it individually…we don’t think it’s necessary though, and should come from those who cause the actual damage - drivers…

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 9d

A ban was never intended to change behaviour. It was intended to protect the city from lawsuits from scooter riders who were injured by their poorly maintained infrastructure…

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 9d

In any case, there is nearly no chance of scooters damaging property or seriously injuring others when they are being used reasonably…most of the risk is to the rider, and entirely comes from drivers/vehicles which already have insurance or bad infrastructure (ie the city which also has insurance)

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 9d

Licensing and liability don’t make sense for a variety of reasons…although limiting liability for those without drivers licenses or not having done the voluntary training could be something that helps ensure people have done some road training…but it would need to apply to e-bikes as well…

Scoot Toronto @scootto.ca · 9d

We’ve never said that users shouldn’t wear safety gear or that they shouldn’t know the rules of the road before using them…we are actually fine with the current rules re: helmets, and age limits…we would welcome online training courses and other voluntary training for those who need it..