A political advocacy group, A Better City (ABC) Toronto, has criticized the City of Toronto for insufficient enforcement of mini-motorcycle regulations. The non-profit organization has launched an online petition urging the city to license, insure, and regulate these micro-mobility vehicles, which are increasingly common on Toronto's streets and bike paths.
Safety Concerns Drive Petition
Kelly Aizicowitz, interim executive director of ABC Toronto, told the Toronto Sun that the group has received numerous complaints from residents about mini-motorcycles. While acknowledging that these vehicles can be annoying, she emphasized that the primary issue is safety. "They are in the bike lane. They're on sidewalks," she said. "We're also hearing about them being charged in sheds or apartment hallways and catching on fire, and these are all safety issues that need to be addressed."
Aizicowitz clarified that ABC Toronto does not oppose pedal-assist bikes but believes something must be done about larger scooters and mopeds that only superficially resemble bicycles. "The riders aren't pedalling. They're just going really fast and those pedals are there as decoration, essentially," she added.
Mayoral Front-Runner Proposes Crackdown
ABC Toronto's call comes shortly after Councillor Brad Bradford, a presumed mayoral front-runner, proposed an eight-point crackdown on e-bikes. In a press release, Bradford stated, "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."
His proposal was debated at a recent City Council meeting, where even political opponents like Bradford and Councillor Dianne Saxe agreed on the need for changes. Saxe remarked, "The basic concept that we should distinguish between electric assist bikes and motorcycles is important and overdue."
Council's Response Deemed Insufficient
Despite the agreement, Aizicowitz expressed disappointment with the council's actions. "This is the problem with council," she said. "There are these long, circuitous discussions about addressing a problem, and it's just a long circuitous discussion that doesn't go anywhere and doesn't actually get anything done. That's why we are supporting calls to license and regulate these vehicles."
Part of the challenge lies in jurisdictional issues, as the province is primarily responsible for regulating e-bikes. Queen's Park has indicated it intends to act, but Aizicowitz argued that Toronto needs better representation at City Hall. "The current mayor, her relationship with the premier isn't the best, but on something like this, you would think that they should be able to find common cause," she said.
Adopted Proposals and Future Advocacy
Some of Bradford's proposals were adopted by council, including working with local couriers and retailers to encourage compliance with traffic rules. Councillors also agreed to ask the province for an "appearance-based exclusion" similar to Quebec's rules, which disqualifies motorcycle and moped-styled devices based on visible features like footrests, body panels, and motorcycle-style wheels.
Aizicowitz noted that while Bradford proposed "a smart and prudent approach," ABC Toronto has not officially endorsed any candidates and has no plans to do so in the near future. Beyond e-bikes, the group plans to advocate for action on public safety, affordability, and gridlock ahead of the October election.
"These are the issues that Torontonians are seized with," Aizicowitz said, "and they want to see action on." Voters go to the polls on Oct. 26.
