Get ready to roll, Mississauga: City launches shared e-bikes and e-scooters system

Starting today, you can rent electric pedal-assist bicycles (e-bikes) and kick-style scooters (e-scooters) in Mississauga for a fee. The City has partnered with Lime Technology, Inc. and Bird Canada to launch its first system of shared e-bikes and e-scooters. The City is offering this new service as an alterative mode of transportation, whether you’re getting to school, work or to run errands. Up to 300 e-bikes and 900 e-scooters will be made available throughout Mississauga at more than 600 locations including near community centres, libraries, bus stops and park entrances. This program allows users to travel throughout Mississauga using another mode of transportation that’s sustainable, convenient and accessible.

“We’re committed to building a more interconnected and accessible transportation network that’s safe for everyone, regardless of age, ability, income or mode of travel. That’s why having a shared system of e-bikes and e-scooters is important. It offers residents another way to move throughout Mississauga, in addition to walking, biking, taking MiWay or driving,” said Geoff Wright, Commissioner, Transportation and Works. “It also promotes active and sustainable transportation while contributing to our climate change goals and healthier lifestyles.”

Shared e-scooter and e-bike devices

All devices are programmed with:

• No-ride zones on sidewalks and other restricted areas.
• Slow-ride zones on busy shared trails and areas with high foot traffic.
• No-parking zones to ensure trips can only end in areas approved for parking.

All e-bikes have a bell, front and rear lights, reflectors, a height adjustable seat, a step-through frame, a lock, a front basket and a helmet.

All e-scooters have a bell, front and rear lights, turn signals, a lock and a helmet.

Renting a device

Riders can download Lime Technology, Inc. and Bird Canada’s mobile app from the App Store or Google Play and get set up to ride in a matter of minutes. The app will share more information about the cost, designated pick-up and drop-off locations, and how to unlock a device.

Designated locations to pick up and park a device include City bike racks, street sign posts and lamp posts. In the future, dedicated parking stations will be installed as the program matures.

The app will also share information on safety when riding, where you can ride and information on how to use each device.

Where to ride

Riders must be 16 years old or older to use an e-bike or e-scooter. By law, all e-bike riders must wear a helmet, and all e-scooter users under 18 must wear a helmet. Regardless, all riders are encouraged to wear a helmet for their safety.

E-bikes can be used on multi-use trails, park trails, bike lanes or on any roads, unless otherwise prohibited. E-scooters can be used on multi-use trails, bike lanes and roads with a posted speed limit of 50 km/h or less.

E-scooters can also be ridden on some park trails, so check Lime Technology, Inc. and Bird Canada’s mobile app to confirm which park trails are permitted before you ride. These devices cannot be used on sidewalks.

Remember to obey all road rules, signage, traffic signals and stop signs.

Background

In October 2019, Council supported the recommendation for City staff to look at how a program of shared bikes, e-bikes or e-scooters could be used for travel in Mississauga as part of a Micro-Mobility Program Development Project. Following extensive analysis and community and stakeholder consultation in June 2022, Council approved a recommendation to develop a shared micro-mobility program that offers e-bikes and e-scooters.

In October 2023, staff brought a report to General Committee providing an update on the Shared Micro-mobility Program and recommending that a hybrid docked and dockless, privately owned and operated system of e-bikes and e-scooters be implemented in 2024.

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Tags

• Active Transportation
• Cycling
• Transportation