E-Scooters/Bikes: A Framework for a Registry

1. The Licensing Framework (The Process)

A standard system would mirror the "Auxiliary Cycle" model used in jurisdictions like Bermuda or historical Canadian bicycle plates.

• Registration & "VIN" Assignment: Owners would register their device’s serial number (equivalent to a VIN). If no serial exists, the city would issue a permanent tamper-proof sticker.

• Safety Inspection: A one-time or annual "roadworthiness" check to ensure the motor is capped at 32 km/h (500W) and brakes are functional.

• The Permit: A physical, high-visibility plate or reflective decal affixed to the rear frame to allow for remote identification by residents or police.

2. Staffing and Oversight Requirements

For a mid-sized municipality (e.g., 200,000 residents), the "Micromobility Licensing Unit" would likely require the following dedicated roles:

Role	Responsibility	Estimated FTE*
Licensing Clerk	Processing applications, verifying IDs, and issuing decals.	2–3
Technical Inspector	verifying speed limiters and battery safety standards.	1–2
By-law Enforcement	Dedicated officers for trail/sidewalk patrols.	4–6
Database Manager	Maintaining the registry for lost/stolen or offending vehicles.	0.5 (Shared)

*FTE = Full-Time Equivalent

3. Projected Timelines

Implementing a brand-new licensing regime typically follows a 12 to 18-month trajectory:

• Phase 1 (Months 1–6): Legislative Groundwork. Amending municipal by-laws and coordinating with provincial authorities (like the Ontario Ministry of Transportation) to ensure the local license doesn't conflict with the Highway Traffic Act.

• Phase 2 (Months 6–10): Infrastructure Setup. Purchasing registry software, hiring staff, and setting up inspection stations (potentially at existing city yards).

• Phase 3 (Months 10–12): Public Awareness. A "grace period" where riders are educated on the new requirement without being fined.

• Phase 4 (Month 12+): Full Enforcement. Mandatory licensing and active ticketing for non-compliance.

4. Suggested Individual Costs

To make the system self-sustaining without being a barrier to low-income transit, cities often consider a tiered fee structure:

• Initial Registration Fee: $35 – $60. Covers the cost of the physical decal and the staff time for the initial inspection.

• Annual Renewal: $15 – $25. A nominal fee to keep the database current and fund ongoing trail enforcement.

• Low-Income/Senior Discount: $10. Many cities suggest a subsidized rate to ensure the license isn't a "tax on the poor."

• The "Non-Compliance" Fine: $150 – $300. Fines for "Failure to Display License" are usually set high enough to encourage registration.

The Co-Signatory Mandate

• Legal Identification: The co-signer (parent or legal guardian) must provide valid government-issued photo identification at the time of registration.

• Liability Acknowledgement: By co-signing, the adult acknowledges they have read the municipal bylaws regarding device specifications (e.g., speed governors, motor wattage) and local rules of the road.

• Registry Linkage: The license shall be cross-referenced in the municipal database to both the minor operator and the adult co-signer.

• Enhanced Financial Accountability: In the event of a fine issued under the Provincial Offences Act or a municipal by-law, the co-signer is identified as the party responsible for ensuring the penalty is addressed.

• Deterrence of "Illegal" Modifications: Since many underage riders bypass speed limiters, the co-signer requirement places the onus on the adult to ensure the hardware remains compliant with the 32 km/h safety cap.

• Service of Notice: Should the vehicle be involved in a "hit-and-run" or a reported safety violation, the city will serve the notice of violation directly to the co-signer, ensuring that the household is aware of the minor’s conduct.

Key Challenges:

The Bureaucracy

It is worth noting that the City of Toronto and other major hubs have repeatedly studied this and concluded that the administrative cost (staffing, software, and physical plates) often exceeds the revenue generated by the fees. 

The Escape

It is also worth noting that this proposal only works if riders comply with audits and stops.

The Seizure of non-compliant assets

For anyone without a proper license there needs to be a consequence. The impound of non-compliant assets or issuance of fines to individuals not properly registered will be the biggest program hurdle. Especially since minors are the main market for these devices.

As residents it is up to us to determine whether the administrative cost is worth the benefit of this program. Please join the conversation.