TTC approves winter ban on e-bikes and e-scooters [Video]

Lithium-ion-powered e-scooters and e-bikes will be banned on Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) vehicles and inside stations through the winter months.

The TTC board voted Tuesday in favour of staff recommendation prohibiting the operation, charging or transportation of lithium-ion-powered mobility devices between Nov. 15 and April 15.

“I’ve tried to do the best to strike a balance between safety and equity,” TTC Board Chair Jamaal Myers told the board.

“Staff ran this to the ground. We had multiple conversations, and I will say we also had very productive conversations with the food delivery companies in terms of like, what were the options, what were the possibilities? But in the end, there was nothing that significantly mitigated the risk of bringing on a battery to a station and the potential for fire.”

In addition to approving the ban, Myers’s motion is requesting the city and the Toronto Parking Authority to work with TTC staff, food delivery companies and labour unions to study …