Is the use of electric scooters in Quebec legal?
Is the use of electric scooters in Quebec legal?
The Quebec government prohibits the use of electric scooters; however, the evidence suggests that the law is not being enforced.
Officially, in Montreal and Quebec, it is forbidden to use electric scooters on the streets, bike paths and pavements. In fact, the road safety code has not yet regulated the use of this type of vehicle. In the absence of official provisions, the ban is therefore in force. Anyone who does not respect this ban is liable to a fine of $180.
However, on the ground, the police are opting for tolerance. Since the end of 2022, tickets are rare (less than 10 on the island of Montreal alone). In cities such as Laval, Longueuil, Trois-Rivières or Quebec City, the police are less experienced and allow the free use of electric scooters.
The Quebec government has set up two pilot projects to evaluate how scooters can be safely integrated into traffic. This demonstrates the government's interest in this type of transportation, which is very popular with young and old alike. Moreover, the explosion in the number of scooters, the widespread use of scooters, and the many petitions circulating to defend the use of scooters make the government's restrictive mission very difficult, if not impossible.
We advise you to respect the highway code and to ride with protection such as a helmet.
The electric scooter, in Quebec as elsewhere, still has a bright future ahead of it. So don't hesitate to invest in this original, economical and ecological means of locomotion!