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Scooters on Sidewalks

By Ron Nurwisah, Boy Reporter

2005_10_31scooter.jpgToronto’s sidewalks can get pretty crowded. With seven-foot tall ad bins, store signs, patios and, of course, people, it’s easy to see why. So a recent City Council motion proposed by Councillor Case Ootes to allow parking of scooters and motorcyles on sidewalks seems problematic.
Ootes and councillor De Baeremaeker wanted to do something to encourage scooter and motorcycle riders. They argue that scooters and motorbikes are environmentally friendlier. And while they do burn less gas, most bikes also emit more smog forming particles. Not something you want to be encouraging when the city is struggling with reining in smog. If Ootes and De Baeremaker get their way riders of two-wheeled motorized vehicles will be allowed to park for free in parking spots AND on sidewalks as long as it doesn’t impede pedestrian traffic.
Considering that the city felt that Segways were not fit for the city’s many busy sidewalks, Torontoist isn’t sure how allowing high-speed, and heavy scooters and motorcycles on sidewalks would be a good idea. While the proposed by-law doesn’t allow for riding on the sidewalk, Torontoist is pretty sure that if it goes into place there’ll be more than a few riders who’ll be tempted to travel on the sidewalk just a few blocks in search of a nice spot to park their motorbike. Or block the sidewalks while they wander in for a quick cup of coffee. All and all, a pretty lousy idea.

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Comments

  • Cameron Frye

    ..Spoke with Ootes’ office today and confirmed that motorcycles and scooters no longer have to pay for street parking.

  • scooter

    Dude,
    Ease up on scooters. They are so much better than cars and SUVs you gotta cut ‘em some slack if they don’t want to pay outrageous parking fees for taking up the space of, like, two bikes. I mean, have you been to Europe or Asia? It’s al scooters and small motorbikes that give less wealthy people mobility. If I want to park my car downtown it can cost me around $15 a day! Why should we allow the parking lots to screw even more people? Especially since moped owners are using more efficient vehicles.

  • http://www.boyreporter.ca Ron Nurwisah, Boy Reporter

    Both the EPA in the States and the Canadian Government acknowledge that scooters and motorcycles (most two stroke engines actually, so this probably includes lawnmowers, leaf and snowblowers) pump out a lot of smog causing particles. I’m just concerned about encouraging a mode of transport that, in the summer, would contribute to worsening air quality.
    As for scooters in Europe, a large reason for their popularity is to do with high gas prices in Europe. You’re right, they’re cheaper than cars and burn less gas and contribute less CO2 which is also good.
    If the technology and emissions standards caught up I’d be pretty happy when council supported motorbikes and scooters. As it is right now, I’d rather they didn’t.
    And not to sound like billonlogan but I’m a touch concerned about motorized vehicles on the sidewalk.

  • Josh

    ah. gotta side with my friend case ootes on this one. smog-causing particles in scooters can’t be as bad as cars. just think of the space too – instead of people driving to work in the family suv or something, the person rides a little bike. plus, on the free parking business, the oldest trick in the book is to take the exposed parking pass off a motorcycle and put it on your car.

  • crash

    I have a scooter and successfully fought a ticket for parking on a side street sidewalk. Luckily the judge was Italian and had pleasant memories of Vespa’s and his youth in Italy.
    Scooters are a progressive solution to gridlock, we already have draconian laws restricting scooter ridership. Did you know you need a motorcycle license to dive a scoot?
    Scooters ease congestion this is why most cities encourage ridership with “Scooter only” parking spots on the streets.
    So sure ban scooters on the sidewalk if it offends your senses, but offer up some reserved street space.
    .

  • Scooters can be clean!

    Just a point of correction – all modern scooters have four stroke engines and very low emissions. Given their lower fuel needs and higher tech systems, modern scooters (including new Vespas, Hondas and Yamahas) are much easier on the environment than cars. Some older scooters are two stroke and have poor emission levels but there aren’t so many of them on the road anymore.
    As a scooter owner, I’m in favour of any measures that encourage all types of two-wheelers in this city which is pretty unfriendly to bikes, scooters and motorcycles. Though I agree that driving on the sidewalk is not a good idea – for bikes or scooters!

  • Parky McParks

    Yah, that’s right. Scooters and motorcyclists are now going to tear around the sidewalks at 60KM/hr because it’s legal to park on the sidewalk.
    Don’t look outside guy, I think the sky is falling.

  • 250ie

    I’ve been riding my scooter in Toronto all summer and have yet to see a scooter parked in a fashion that blocks the sidewalk.. I have no intention of blocking it either…
    P.s. $11 gas lasts me two weeks ;-)

  • Noah

    With regards to scooter emissions, the big difference is whether the engine is a two or four stroke.
    In California, where lawnmower and BBQ emmissions are even a concern, two stroke engines are prohibited in just about everything. These are the kinds of engines where you mix oil with gas.
    A four stroke engine is much cleaner. These burn just gas, and must have oil changes, just like your car.
    Scooters come in both types. Generally, the more powerful, more expensive ones are four strokes. Some popular models like the Vespa ET4, and Yamaha Vino 125 have a catalyst in the muffler to help control cold start emissions. The most advanced scooters are quite clean.
    The argument comes about when you compare the technology vs. the actual output. A very small ‘dirty’ 50cc two stroke engine will still put out way less emissions than a modern, ‘clean’ engine SUV with only one passenger in it.
    Arguably then the scooter is clean. You could also argue that the scooter would be a whole lot cleaner if it was a four stroke. In fact, if you actually put 7 passengers in a SUV, it would be much cleaner than taking 7 seperate cars. It’s all down to actual useage.
    My car gets mostly used for single passenger trips. So we have a very, very small car. I’d like to get a scooter. Anything would lessen my impact on the environment, but if I can swing it, I’ll get a four stroke.
    It would be nice if there were designated places to park a scooter. Maybe something like a bike rack. Not everywhere on every sidewalk, but tucked away, where publicly acceptable.
    I think the ultimate goal would simply be to make motorcycles and scooters an attractive alternative to firing up 4,000 lbs of steel and glass to go and get a quart of milk.