Even though electric scooters are becoming more and more popular, they remain illegal. The Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) confirmed the information this morning.
Opinions on electric scooters diverge, but the SAAQ spokesperson reiterated the law this morning in an interview.
“The scooter, not being provided for in the Highway Safety Code, remains illegal,” maintains Mario Vaillancourt.
It is forbidden to use it on public roads: streets, sidewalks and cycle paths.
However, it is possible to drive in parking spaces and private land.
Since this new device is not yet included in the Highway Safety Code, the ban is in effect.
For several years, a pilot project has been in effect in a few municipalities in Quebec.
The Ministère des Transports (MTQ) has given authorization to the manufacturer of GEEBEE scooters, so that these motorized devices can ride on public roads.
At present, it is the only brand of electric scooters allowed in Quebec.
“Apart from that which is provided for in the pilot project, it is prohibited on the public road”, affirms the spokesperson.
As the SAAQ explains, it is up to the various municipal police departments to enforce the law.
Some are more lenient, others less so.
A council made up of people from the MTQ and the SAAQ is currently questioning the legality of this type of device. No decision has been made yet.