Where You Can and Can't Ride an E-Bike or E-Scooter in Burlington

E-bikes and e-scooters are everywhere in Burlington now, and the rules on where you can ride them are stricter than many riders realize. With more kids getting their own, the city and province have set clear limits worth knowing before you head out.

E-bikes

Under the City of Burlington's rules, e-bikes are allowed on public roads and streets, but not on sidewalks, trails, or in parks. Riders have to be at least 16 and must always wear a helmet. On the road, e-bike riders follow the same rules as regular cyclists.

E-bikes are capped at a maximum assisted speed of 32 km/h, and they cannot go on 400-series highways or the QEW, or in bike lanes where they are specifically banned.

E-scooters

E-scooters are far more limited. Burlington allows them in exactly one place: the Centennial Trail between Brant Street, the Elgin Promenade, and Burloak Drive. That covers both personal scooters and rentals through the SCOOTY app. Everywhere else, on any other trail, sidewalk, path, or road, they are not permitted.

Riders must be at least 16, and anyone 16 to 18 has to wear a helmet. Only one person per scooter, no passengers or cargo, and a maximum speed of 24 km/h per Halton police. The rules exist for a reason: recent Burlington collisions have injured riders, including two people on a single scooter and a 13-year-old on an e-bike.