The E-Bike “Problem”: Education Over Enforcement

To be sure the last several years has seen an explosion in the use of e-bikes, e-scooters and other e-mobility devices in Ontario. In urban centres like Toronto, this increased use of varying devices spiked because of the critical role they play in the gig-based economy.

It's hard to argue with a smash burger and fries delivered to your front door. And so, app-based delivery riders are an undeniable constant on the streets of cities like Toronto.

The fast-paced nature of these changes has not been accompanied by updated provincial laws, corporate social responsibility, or infrastructure changes. The result has been increasing numbers those riding e-mobility devices getting injured in collisions with motor vehicles, unregulated devices, shifting rules, conflicts with pedestrian and cyclists, and blame directed by those in power at those without power, comparatively.

Toronto has seen successive waves of community complaints stoked by local politicians into uneven enforcement campaigns.

One councillor is even calling for e-bikes ridden on sidewalks to be confiscated by police (a similar charge not proposed for motorists who do the same, and actually kill people).

It appears the only way politicians believe we can solve the many issued raised above is to target the alleged bad behaviours of individuals. Rather than you know well reasoned and systemic solutions to address our changing transportation landscape and the arising conflicts. It seems easier for elected officials and police to point the finger at (mostly) young, racialized people working to make ends meet than it is to engage and educate these folks and/or demand the companies incentivizing dangerous behaviours for our convenience (a milkshake to my front door) or their profit (in the billions) take some accountability.

From our perspective this is decidedly unfair and ineffective.

For every close call you hear about on a sidewalk of an e-biker rushing past a pedestrian, we have a client who was on his way to deliver food and was doored, right hooked, left hooked, hit a pothole, crashed and was seriously injured.

Broken knees requiring surgery, head injuries, broken hands, and worse. People injured in already precarious economic positions worrying now, how they are going to pay their rent.

So, while municipal officials and police aim to enforce safety (with little proof of success), we have decided to educate and support app-based deliver riders. We want to address community concerns about dangerous behaviours and incentivize a knowledge-based solution.

To that end, working with the Toronto Bike Brigade and Cycle Toronto (with help from our buddy Tom Flood), we are hosting 3 Safe Cycling Sessions on April 13, 14 and 15, 2026.

These sessions will be available to app-based delivery workers to attend. We will provide a presentation and training on rules of the road, safe cycling best practices, what to do in a crash, and how to navigate interactions with police.

In exchange for 45 minutes of their time, attendees will receive this important info, free bike lights and a free Biking Lawyer branded bike courier delivery bag!

The Toronto Bike Brigade has since March 16, 2020, (the first days of the pandemic lockdown) been delivering food and supplies to folks in need for foodbanks and other partners across Toronto. This gang of volunteer cyclists continue to do so every day of the week. Bike Brigade will be providing logistical support and ride safety information.

Cycle Toronto is Toronto’s premier cycling advocacy group. They are actively engaged in outreach to app-based delivery riders and the promotion of safe streets. CycleTO will provide logistical support and a rules of the road presentation.

The Biking Lawyer LLP is a law firm dedicated to helping injured cyclists, e-bikers, pedestrians and all vulnerable people seek justice and compensation.

We will be providing post-crash tips, information about accessing medical and lost wage supports and how to navigate interactions with police.

It is our combined goal to refocus the discussion around e-bikes and e-mobility devices with an eye to education, not enforcement.

We cannot police our way out of this transportation revolution. It is up to communities to engage their members, the province/cities to update laws and build infrastructure to meet our changing transportation need. Importantly, companies like Uber Eats and Skip the Dishes must direct some focus to the safety of their riders and other road users, instead of the current profit over people model.

We encourage the City of Toronto, Uber Eats and Skip the Dishes, etc. to attend our sessions as observers and engage with us on how to effect similar campaigns on a much wider scale for a much larger benefit for all.

STAY INFORMED