WINDSOR

Ontario plans to launch pilot project that allows e-scooters on roads

The Canadian Press Published Friday, August 30, 2019 4:42PM EDT Last Updated Friday, August 30, 2019 4:43PM EDT

In this Dec. 4, 2018, photo a man rides a scooter near the White House in Washington. Electric scooters are overtaking station-based bicycles as the most popular form of shared transportation outside transit and cars. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

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TORONTO -- Ontario plans to run a five-year pilot that allows electric scooters on the province's roads.

Driving an e-scooter on the road is currently illegal because the province says the vehicles don't currently meet government safety standards.

The Ministry of Transportation says the proposed pilot would allow e-scooters to be driven on roads where bicycles can operate except on provincial highways.

Drivers must be at least 16-years-old, are not allowed to have passengers, and the vehicles cannot exceed a maximum operating speed of 32 km/h.

It says e-scooters could act as environmentally friendly alternatives to other vehicles in a posting on the province's regulatory registry.

Several groups representing the disabled have raised concerns about the proposed pilot and asked the government to study the safety risks around the vehicles.