Heather Wright/The Independent

The OPP and officials from the Town of Petrolia want you to know it is against the law for your pre-teens to be driving e-scooters down the street.

The warning is part of a campaign to highlight some of the rules around riding the motorized vehicles as the number of accidents involving scooters rise.

Data shows there was a sharp surge in severe accidents, resulting in 294 hospitalizations and six children dying due to e-scooter accidents across the province in 2025. The machines are supposed to go no more than 24 km/h but some riders make modifications to increase the speed, making them more dangerous.

Laurissa Ellsworth, director of marketing, arts and communication for the Town of Petrolia says the province has been running a pilot project on e-scooter use on the roads since 2020. It will run until 2029.

Unless a municipality signs up to be a part of the pilot, e-scooter use is a lot more restricted than most people know.

Riders have to be over 16 and must wear a helmut until their at least 18.

You can’t give someone a ride on the scooters nor can you alter it so you can carry groceries or large parcels.

In communities which are not part of the pilot project, Ellsworth says the use of the e-scooters by eligible riders is limited to secondary roads if approved by a bylaw.

You also can be charged with impaired driving if you’re using an e-scooter.

Ellsworth says e-scooters have become more popular in Petrolia.

“These are pretty fast. They can be considered dangerous, especially when youth are riding them, particularly because if they’re under 16, they shouldn’t be. And even over that, they need to wear a helmet,” she says.

“We’ve noticed some in Petrolia, we notice people doubling on them, and we do notice them going pretty quickly on Petrolia Line.”

The OPP are doing an education blitz, warning riders of the rules of the road. It is unlikely riders would face any charges “as long as they follow the obligations of being the right age and wearing the helmet,” Ellsworth said.

The OPP remind riders:

• E-scooters cannot be used on municipal roads without a bylaw. Check your local municipality to see if and where you can ride.
• Use bicycle lanes where available.
• Yield to cyclists and pedestrians.