Pickering Launches Shared E-Scooter Pilot to Expand Sustainable Mobility Options

Pickering, ON, August 28, 2025 - The City of Pickering is launching a Shared E‑Scooter Pilot Program, offering residents a sustainable, convenient, and low-carbon way to navigate the growing community. This initiative supports the City’s long-term transportation vision by promoting flexible mobility choices.

E‑scooters deliver an effective option for short-distance travel and first-/last-mile connections. Guided by leading practices from cities like Ottawa and Vancouver, the pilot focuses on education, promoting rider safety, and fostering responsible road-sharing. 

Shared e-scooters are owned and operated by a company and can be rented for a fee based on time or distance. They are typically picked up and returned at designated locations throughout the community and the company handles charging, maintenance, and redistribution. The City’s partner for delivering the pilot program is Bird, a company that encourages clean, car-free transportation alternatives.

Pickering’s transportation outlook emphasizes a multimodal, inclusive, and connected system – and this program helps bring that vision to life by:

• Enforcing safety through speed limits, rider age minimums (16+), helmet requirements for youth, and mandatory equipment such as lights and a bell or horn.
• Promoting courteous road-sharing to protect pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and e‑scooter riders alike.
• Expanding equitable access, ensuring micro-mobility options are available across all neighbourhoods.

Quick Facts:

• Operating annually from April through October (weather permitting).
• Service hours daily: 6:00 am to 11:00 pm, with remote deactivation at 10:45 pm.
• Unlike privately-owned e-scooters, the shared e-scooters will not work if ridden outside of the City’s boundary.
• Unlike privately-owned e-scooters, the shared e-scooters will not go beyond the programmed speed limitations.
• Residents can report after-hours issues, mis‑parked scooters, or safety concerns via the operator’s hotline, in‑app tools, or the City’s Customer Care team.

To mark the pilot’s launch, Bird will deploy their Safe Streets Ambassadors at various parking locations to educate riders and provide key program information.

“Pickering’s Shared E-Scooter Pilot is an important step toward expanding mobility options for our residents,” said Mayor Ashe. “As a true pilot, we’re committed to listening – gathering feedback, reviewing ridership data, and evaluating every aspect of the program, including the promotion and adherence to safe and responsible use, before considering next steps.”

This pilot reflects Pickering’s vision of a more sustainable, connected city. By introducing shared e-scooters, the City is encouraging active transportation, strengthening links to transit, and giving residents more choice in how they move around their community.

For more information or to report questions or concerns, please visit pickering.ca/eScooter.