Bus ban on e-scooters and e-bikes starts soon in Mississauga

Both e-scooters and e-bikes will be banned on MiWay buses next month.

The electric devices will not be allowed on the buses or the bike rack starting July 1.

Mississauga councillors voted in favour of the ban on May 21.

The change is due to safety concerns associated with the lithium-ion batteries that power these devices, the city says on the website.

There are currently no safety regulations in place governing the sale and use of lithium-ion batteries powering personally owned e-scooters or e-bikes. This gap in safety regulations allows for batteries of varying quality and construction that do not meet recognized safety standards to enter the market.

“Substandard lithium-ion batteries are prone to overheating and causing a chain reaction where heat builds uncontrollably, resulting in fire or explosion,” the city said.

Medical mobility devices will continue to be permitted on MiWay buses as they are subject to regulated maintenance, safety standards and serve as essential tools.

Fires have been connected to e-scooters and e-bikes on public transit and elsewhere.

In 2022, there were 22 fires in Toronto that resulted from the failure of lithium-ion batteries, according to a report to Mississauga’s General Committee. In 2023, that number increased to 55 with the majority involving e-scooters and e-bikes.

Data from the Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services on lithium-ion thermal events is unclear, the report stated. Staff said there have been no lithium-ion fires on MiWay buses to date.

On Dec. 31, 2023, an e-bike and its battery ignited on a TTC subway causing a significant fire.

In 2024, the TTC banned lithium-ion battery-powered micro-mobility devices, including e-bikes and e-scooters for the winter months.

Councillor Alvin Tedjo opposed the staff recommendation to ban all lithium-ion battery electric scooters and bikes inside MiWay buses.

“I do think that we are going pretty heavy-handed on something that is still new and emerging,” Tedjo said in the May 21 meeting. “I would hate to see a full ban on all electric scooters, electric bikes when we are trying to help people use their micro-mobility as a last mile method of transportation onto our buses.”

E-bikes and e-scooters are allowed on Mississauga roads with speed limits at or below 50 km/h.

He noted that GO Transit continues to allow all these devices on board trains.

However, Brampton currently does not permit lithium-ion powered e-scooters or e-bikes on board their buses due to concerns with unregulated batteries in addition to limited space aboard buses.

Sam Rogers, commissioner of Transportation and Works agreed with Tedjo but said that staff did look at other models rather than a full ban.

“Really it comes down to our ability, as a service, to regulate these devices,” Rogers said.

There is no regulatory body monitoring the sale, resale, or after-market care for devices, and there is no way to manage what happens to the battery once the consumer has it in their possession.

Councillor Martin Reid asked about fire extinguishers on city buses.

There are fire extinguishers on the buses but they aren’t much help in this type of fire, said Darren Ridings, senior manager of transit maintenance.

“Once they ignite, it is a thermal runaway, by the time you actually arm the fire extinguisher, it’s already ablaze,” he said.

Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish said you cannot please everyone and she trusted staff on this recommendation.

“If this is a safety issue I am not arguing with you,” Parrish said.

A majority of councillors voted in favour of the ban. Tedjo and Reid voted against the motion.

See the full notice from the city here, and the meeting discussion here.