UMVA has learned that a growing concern is gripping the streets of Toronto, as miniature motorcycles masquerading as bicycles continue to plague residents, and mayoral candidate Brad Bradford is taking a stand against them.
Bradford has proposed an eight-point crackdown on these vehicles, which he believes are a menace to pedestrians, cyclists, and families, saying, “A pedal welded to a mini-motorcycle does not make it a bicycle. A senior on the sidewalk, a parent in the bike lane and a family in an apartment building deserve more than a city hall that has chosen wilful ignorance over leadership.”
According to information obtained by UMVA, Bradford's plan includes an “appearance-based exclusion” modelled on Quebec’s rules, which would disqualify motorcycle and moped-styled devices based on visible features such as footrests, body panels, and motorcycle-style wheels.
The issue has become increasingly pressing as e-bikes have evolved faster than the rules that restrict their use. At a recent meeting of the city's infrastructure and environment committee, Michael Longfield, executive director of Cycle Toronto, presented four “micro-mobility vehicles” that are currently treated the same by the provincial Ministry of Transportation, highlighting the confusion and lack of clear regulations.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Longfield described the current state of regulations as “very well intended, but also extremely confusing,” and emphasized the need for clearer definitions and rules to ensure public safety.
The City of Toronto has already brought in bylaws to restrict the use of e-bikes, but councillors are aware that not everyone is a fan of these vehicles, and irritation with how some riders operate them is growing. Last fall, officers laid 179 tickets in a micro-mobility vehicle enforcement blitz in the city.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that Bradford's eight-point plan also includes fast-tracking proposed changes, working with local couriers and retailers to get riders to obey the rules of the road, and better battery safety standards, as e-bike batteries have increasingly been blamed for fires.
Bradford, perceived as the front-runner in this fall’s mayoral race, is determined to take action, saying, “Innovation does not have to come at the cost of public safety.”
UMVA has gathered that the issue has become a critical concern for residents, with many calling for stronger regulations and enforcement to ensure public safety.
The city's councillors are set to deliberate on an open provincial consultation this week and have asked city staff to return with bylaw amendments by January 2027.
