‘I was struck by a bicycle’: Concerns raised about e-bikes, scooters
Posted Aug 15, 2025 05:00:00 AM.
Last Updated Aug 15, 2025 11:17:17 AM.
As e-bikes and other electric scooters continue to grow in popularity, so do safety concerns from residents across Waterloo Region.
Now, the issue has come to the regional horseshoe.
Arnold Radford, a former road bike racer who lives in Waterloo, delegated to councillors during Tuesday’s Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development committee meeting. He has seen several instances of users using rented e-bikes on the sidewalk, including one incident where he alleges he was hit by one.
“I was struck by a bicycle on King Street near Erb Street on the sidewalk where you have created a bike lane on a walkway junction, with no curb protecting pedestrians,” said Radford. He added that he has seen riders using privately owned bikes on the sidewalk as well, with headphones in, passing pedestrians at a high speed.
“Through all my KW ridden training rides, I never once broke a bone. I now fear that myself, loved ones, and others could succumb to that fate or worse along King Street from John Street to Bridgeport Road and even beyond.”
Regional Councillor Doug Craig echoed statements from Radford, as he said the region has a “real problem on its hands” when it comes to safety around motorized bikes.
“I walk just about every day in the downtown of Cambridge, and certainly the e-bikes on sidewalks was very heavy, going up to 30km/hr. Wizzing by and they are a real problem for future safety,” said Craig.
In Ontario, e-bikes and scooters are only permitted on roads and bike lanes. Municipalities can make exceptions for some roads and trails if they choose to. According to the region, they are only permitted on roads that are 50km/hr or lower, all bike lanes, multi-use paths and on a select number of paved trails, including Spur Line and Market Trails.
Last year, 288,000 kilometres were driven on e-bikes across 173,000 rides around the region.
Councillors said they will continue to track this issue and they have since asked staff to look into what they can do about e-bike and scooter safety in the region.
