A video showing an individual riding an e-scooter on the Conestoga Expressway alongside other vehicles has circulated online, prompting a cautionary message from law enforcement about adhering to regulations to avoid potential severe outcomes.
The specific date of the video is unknown, captured from what seems to be a dashboard camera within a vehicle travelling on the expressway.
The Waterloo Regional Police Service shared the footage on their Facebook page, emphasizing that e-scooters are not permitted to exceed 24 km/h and are prohibited on controlled-access highways. They highlighted the risks of high-speed maneuvers, underscoring the limited reaction time for riders to avoid unforeseen obstacles, which could lead to catastrophic consequences.
In the video, the e-scooter rider navigates across two traffic lanes while being overtaken by other vehicles on the four-lane roadway. The police department stressed that the expressway falls under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Sgt. Kerry Schmidt from the OPP acknowledged awareness of the video and its implications.
Recent reports from the Canadian Pediatric Society revealed a surge in e-scooter-related injuries among children and teenagers treated at SickKids hospital in Toronto, escalating from 26 cases in 2023 to 107 cases in 2025. Dr. Daniel Rosenfield, a pediatric emergency physician at SickKids, expressed concerns over the severity of injuries resulting from e-scooter accidents, often involving individuals without protective headgear.
In Ontario, a pilot initiative permits municipalities to regulate e-scooter usage, with guidelines mandating helmet use, a minimum rider age of 16, standing while riding, no passengers or cargo, and avoidance of controlled-access highways. The provincial website emphasizes that all standard Highway Traffic Act regulations apply to e-scooter riders, with penalties ranging from fines of $250 to $2,500 for violations of pilot program rules.