Micromobility Strategy
Richmond Hill is currently undertaking a micromobility strategy to guide decisions on regulating micromobility devices and sidewalk cycling. Currently, there are limited by-laws governing the use of micromobility devices and cycling on sidewalks and other on/off-road facilities.
This project is recommended by the Transportation Master Plan and will address key issues including safety concerns, resident feedback, education and enforcement, and more.
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Project updates and opportunities to get involved will be posted on this webpage as it becomes available.
What is Micromobility?
Micromobility is an umbrella term for various types – generally electrified – of small format transportation. Common micromobility vehicles include e-bikes (left) and e-scooters (right).
As micromobility increases in popularity due to its convenience and affordability, the safety of residents and visitors who use the City’s road, sidewalk, active transportation and trail networks remains Richmond Hill’s priority.
As an emerging transportation category in the Province of Ontario, micromobility is often linked to the potential impact it can have for traffic congestion, sustainability, and transportation equity. These devices are typically used for short trips, or in combination with public transit.
| Provincial Micromobility Pilots |
| The Province currently has five micromobility pilot programs underway, as well as proposed new regulation to align and extend these pilots. While Richmond Hill is not participating in any micromobility pilot programs, the City is actively monitoring them. The City will develop recommendations for Richmond Hill following a future review of micromobility permissions within the public transportation network. |
| What is Currently Permitted in Richmond Hill? |
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The table below outlines major vehicle types, highlights key regulatory requirements, and clarifies what vehicles are permitted within the public transportation network in Richmond Hill. Operator and vehicle requirements for each vehicle type are determined by the Province of Ontario; basic requirements are outlined below, but please refer to the appropriate provincial resource for full requirements.
Please also note that assistive mobility devices (wheelchairs, mobility scooters, etc.) are considered separately from micromobility, and do not appear in the table.
| Vehicle Type | Visual Example | Provincial Requirements | Status in Richmond Hill |
|---|
| Pedal-Assisted E-Bike / Pedelec (has no throttle and requires that user pedal to engage motor) |
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E-bikes and their operators must meet all provincial operating requirements.
- Driver Age: 16+
- Licence Requirement: No
- Maximum Vehicle Weight: 120 kg
- Maximum Speed: 25 km/h with motor assistance
|
Permitted in Richmond Hill as follows:
- On-road (all municipal roads)
- Within the road boulevard on cycling facilities (cycle tracks, multi-use paths)
- Within the trail system, where bicycles are permitted
|
| Power-Assisted E-Bike / Throttle-Assisted E-Bike - Bicycle Style (has throttle that allows user to move without pedaling) |
 |
E-bikes and their operators must meet all provincial operating requirements.
- Driver Age: 16+
- Licence Requirement: No
- Maximum Vehicle Weight: 120 kg
- Maximum Speed: 25 km/h with motor assistance
|
Permitted in Richmond Hill as follows:
- On-road (all municipal roads)
- Within the road boulevard on cycling facilities (cycle tracks, multi-use paths)
NOTE: not permitted within the park or the trail system.
|
| Power-Assisted E-Bike / Throttle-Assisted E-Bike - Moped Style (has throttle that allows user to move without pedaling) |
 |
E-bikes and their operators must meet all provincial operating requirements.
- Driver Age: 16+
- Licence Requirement: No
- Maximum Vehicle Weight: 120 kg
- Maximum Speed: 25 km/h with motor assistance
|
Permitted in Richmond Hill as follows:
- On-road (all municipal roads)
- Within the road boulevard on cycling facilities (cycle tracks, multi-use paths)
NOTE: not permitted within the park or trail system.
|
| Power-Assisted E-Bike / Throttle-Assisted E-Bike - Limited Speed Motorcycle Style (has throttle that allows user to move without pedaling) |
 |
E-bikes and their operators must meet all provincial operating requirements.
- Driver Age: 16+
- Licence Requirement: No
- Maximum Vehicle Weight: 120 kg
- Maximum Speed: 25 km/h with motor assistance
|
Permitted in Richmond Hill as follows:
- On-road (all municipal roads)
- Within the road boulevard on cycling facilities (cycle tracks, multi-use paths)
NOTE: not permitted within the park or trail system.
|
| Motor-Assisted Bicycle / Moped (Gas Powered) |
 |
A motorcycle licence is required to operate this vehicle type.
- Driver Age: 16+
- Licence Requirement: Yes
- Maximum Vehicle Weight: 55 kg
- Maximum Speed: 50 km/h with motor assistance
|
Permitted in Richmond Hill as follows:
- On-road (all municipal roads)
|
| Limited-Speed Motorcycle (Electric or Gas-powered) |
 |
A motorcycle licence is required to operate this vehicle type.
- Driver Age: 16+
- Licence Requirement: Yes
- Maximum Vehicle Weight: No limit
- Maximum Speed: 70 km/h with motor assistance
|
Permitted in Richmond Hill as follows:
- On-road (all municipal roads)
|
| Cargo E-Bike / Cargo-Assisted Bicycle |
 |
Cargo e-bikes and their operators must meet all provincial operating requirements.
- Driver Age: 16+
- Licence Requirement: No
- Minimum Vehicle Weight: 55 kg
- Maximum Speed: 32 km/h with motor assistance
|
The City is not currently participating in the Province’s Cargo E-Bike Pilot and cargo e-bikes are not permitted within the public transportation network. |
| Electric Kick-Style Scooter / E-Scooter |
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E-scooters and their operators must meet all provincial operating requirements.
- Driver Age: 16+
- Licence Requirement: No
- Maximum Vehicle Weight: 45 kg
- Maximum Speed: 24 km/h on a level surface
|
The City is not currently participating in the Province’s E-Scooter Pilot and e-scooters are not permitted on municipal roads under the City’s jurisdiction, nor within the City’s trail network. This includes all arterial road boulevards (e.g., in-boulevard cycle tracks, multi-use paths, sidewalks.
E-scooters are permitted on arterial roads under York Region’s jurisdiction with designated on-road bike lanes. In Richmond Hill, this includes portions of Highway 7, Gamble Road/19th Avenue, Bloomington Road, Bathurst Road, and Yonge Street. |
| Electric Skateboard, Hoverboard, and Unicycle |
 |
These devices are not provincially regulated. |
Not permitted within the public transportation network. |
| Low-Speed Vehicle |
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Low-speed vehicles and their operators must meet all provincial operating requirements.
- Driver Age: Tied to licence requirement
- Licence Requirement: Yes
- Maximum Vehicle Weight: No limit
- Maximum Speed: 40 km/h
|
The City is not currently participating in the Province’s Low-Speed Vehicle Pilot and low-speed vehicles are not permitted within the public transportation network. |
| Golf Cart |
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Golf carts and their operators operating on public road networks must meet all provincial operating requirements.
- Driver Age: Tied to licence requirement
- Licence Requirement: Yes
- Maximum Vehicle Weight: No limit
- Maximum Speed: 32 km/h on a level surface
|
Not permitted within the public transportation network.
The Province's Golf Cart Pilot Program is currently geographically limited to two Ontario municipalities and Richmond Hill is ineligible to participate.
Program eligibility would be expanded to all Ontario municipalities as part of the Province's current regulatory proposal.
|
| Urban Mobility Vehicle |
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The Province has proposed to include urban mobility vehicles within the suite of micromobility devices it is piloting, through its current regulatory proposal.
Proposed key requirements:
- Driver Age: Tied to licence requirement
- Licence Requirement: Yes
- Maximum Vehicle Weight: Not set
- Maximum Speed: 32 km/h
|
Not permitted within the public transportation network. |
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