Regulation - LGIC
Transforming the way MTO pilots new micromobility vehicles on-road
Regulation Number(s):
O. Reg. 411/22: PILOT PROJECT - LARGE QUADRICYCLES
O. Reg. 389/19: PILOT PROJECT - ELECTRIC KICK-SCOOTERS
O. Reg. 141/21: PILOT PROJECT - CARGO POWER-ASSISTED BICYCLES
O. Reg. 215/17: PILOT PROJECT - LOW-SPEED VEHICLES
O. Reg. 407/21: PILOT PROJECT - GOLF CARS
O. Reg. 389/19: PILOT PROJECT - ELECTRIC KICK-SCOOTERS
O. Reg. 141/21: PILOT PROJECT - CARGO POWER-ASSISTED BICYCLES
O. Reg. 215/17: PILOT PROJECT - LOW-SPEED VEHICLES
O. Reg. 407/21: PILOT PROJECT - GOLF CARS
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Highway Traffic Act
Summary of Proposal:
The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) recognizes the importance of new or existing vehicle technology, especially if it expands mobility options for Ontarians; however, safety remains a top priority. Currently, the ministry is piloting five types of micromobility vehicles: cargo e-bikes, electric kick-style scooters, low-speed vehicles, golf carts, and large quadricycles. Micromobility can generally be defined as vehicles that are small, compact, low-speed and often electric.
To date, the ministry has been piloting vehicles on a case-by-case basis and as a result, has created multiple pilot regulations for each individual vehicle type expiring at different periods. The ministry is now proposing to instead regulate these multiple micromobility vehicles under one pilot regulation.
With this new pilot regulation, MTO will be able to align the expiry periods for all micromobility pilot vehicles (2023-2028), collect more consistent data, and better communicate the rules for these vehicles to municipalities and to the public. As part of transforming the way we test, MTO is also proposing to expand the use of certain pilot vehicles and enable new ones:
1. Golf Car Expansion: Currently, only Pelee Island and the Township of Huron-Kinloss are named in the golf car pilot regulation. The ministry is proposing to amend the regulation to enable any Ontario municipality to participate in the pilot, provided that they pass a by-law.
2. Enabling the use of Urban Mobility Vehicles (UMVs): UMVs are broadly defined as small, compact, enclosed, three-wheeled, slow-moving (maximum speed of up to 32 km/h) electric vehicles usually built with one seat. However, they do not meet the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act standards and therefore are currently not permitted on Ontario roads. As announced in Ontario's 2023 Budget, the ministry is considering enabling the use of these vehicles on-road in an Ontario municipality, provided that they pass a by-law.
The above proposed changes are intended to expand the piloting of micromobility vehicles in the province, while maintaining Ontario's high safety standards and transforming the existing regulatory structure to reduce burden and streamline the regulatory framework.
To date, the ministry has been piloting vehicles on a case-by-case basis and as a result, has created multiple pilot regulations for each individual vehicle type expiring at different periods. The ministry is now proposing to instead regulate these multiple micromobility vehicles under one pilot regulation.
With this new pilot regulation, MTO will be able to align the expiry periods for all micromobility pilot vehicles (2023-2028), collect more consistent data, and better communicate the rules for these vehicles to municipalities and to the public. As part of transforming the way we test, MTO is also proposing to expand the use of certain pilot vehicles and enable new ones:
1. Golf Car Expansion: Currently, only Pelee Island and the Township of Huron-Kinloss are named in the golf car pilot regulation. The ministry is proposing to amend the regulation to enable any Ontario municipality to participate in the pilot, provided that they pass a by-law.
2. Enabling the use of Urban Mobility Vehicles (UMVs): UMVs are broadly defined as small, compact, enclosed, three-wheeled, slow-moving (maximum speed of up to 32 km/h) electric vehicles usually built with one seat. However, they do not meet the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act standards and therefore are currently not permitted on Ontario roads. As announced in Ontario's 2023 Budget, the ministry is considering enabling the use of these vehicles on-road in an Ontario municipality, provided that they pass a by-law.
The above proposed changes are intended to expand the piloting of micromobility vehicles in the province, while maintaining Ontario's high safety standards and transforming the existing regulatory structure to reduce burden and streamline the regulatory framework.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
It is anticipated that the proposed regulatory amendments will not have any direct compliance costs for business, not-for-profits and the broader public sector. Participation in the pilot would be voluntary. This proposal does not impose any additional costs on end users.
There may, however, be some minimal costs to municipalities that participate in current pilot(s) or wish to opt in to pilots, to update their web sites and forms, and familiarize themselves with the new, transformed regulation structure. The ministry will be completing a full Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) at a later date.
There may, however, be some minimal costs to municipalities that participate in current pilot(s) or wish to opt in to pilots, to update their web sites and forms, and familiarize themselves with the new, transformed regulation structure. The ministry will be completing a full Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) at a later date.
Further Information:
Extended Summary - Micromobility
Proposal Number:
23-MTO009
Posting Date:
April 24, 2023
Comments Due Date:
May 9, 2023
Contact Address:
87 Sir William Hearst Avenue Toronto, ON M3M 0B4