Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford has introduced an eight-point plan to address the growing issue of mini-motorcycles and e-bikes on city streets. The proposal comes as city council prepares to discuss e-bike regulations this week.
Bradford's Eight-Point Plan
Bradford's plan includes an appearance-based exclusion modeled on Quebec's rules, which disqualifies motorcycle and moped-styled devices based on visible features such as footrests, body panels, non-adjustable saddles, and motorcycle-style wheels. Other measures include fast-tracking proposed changes, working with local couriers and retailers to enforce road rules, and improving battery safety standards.
"A pedal welded to a mini-motorcycle does not make it a bicycle. A senior on the sidewalk, a parent in the bike lane, and a family in an apartment building deserve more than a city hall that has chosen wilful ignorance over leadership," Bradford said in a campaign press release.
E-Bike Regulations Under Scrutiny
Power-assisted bicycles, or e-bikes, have evolved faster than regulations. Michael Longfield, executive director of Cycle Toronto, presented to the city's infrastructure and environment committee, showing four micro-mobility vehicles that are treated the same by the provincial Ministry of Transportation despite their differences.
"We're trying to define where these various things can go. Many of them are legal to buy but not legal to use on public roads. It's not often clear to look at them what kind they are," Longfield said.
Provincial and Municipal Actions
The province is moving to better categorize e-bikes, while Toronto has already enacted bylaws to restrict their use. Councillor Dianne Saxe brought forward a motion at Longfield's request, directing city staff to work with the province to exclude faster, heavier machines from the e-bike framework, treating them like proper motorcycles. This would include requiring riders to be licensed and insured.
Safety Concerns and Enforcement
E-bike batteries have been linked to fires, including a blaze at a west-end apartment building last year. Bradford criticized Mayor Olivia Chow's approach, stating, "Under Mayor Chow, we have been asked to accept that motorcycles on the sidewalk and battery fires in our buildings are just the price of a growing city. They are not."
Last fall, police issued 179 tickets during a micro-mobility enforcement blitz. Councillor Amber Morley noted the frustration with these vehicles, saying, "One of the most frustrating things was the reality that so many of these vehicles are on our streets, creating conflict."
Bradford, the councillor for Beaches-East York, is considered the front-runner in the upcoming mayoral election. Chow has not yet registered for re-election.
