Shared e-bike and e-scooter update: Mississauga introduces new parking stations

The City is adding more than 100 parking stations to help provide a more orderly and controlled approach to parking while keeping regular public bike racks available for personal devices. While the shared e-bikes have been available for rent year-round, the shared e-scooters and new parking stations will start launching Friday, May 16. The amended corporate report shares details about the updates to the parking plans and program results from 2024. This popular program has experienced significant growth over the last year, becoming a preferred transportation option for many users across the city.

Parking stations

The new physical parking stations will be introduced and dedicated to the shared e-bikes and e-scooters program. The stations will either be marked with physical infrastructure or have markings or a rubber mat on the ground. They will help keep devices organized in high-demand areas including near GO train stations, City-owned transit terminals and express bus stops. There will also be more parking stations in densely populated areas of Mississauga including all five Business Improvement Areas (Clarkson, Malton, Streetsville, Port Credit and Cooksville), City Centre and Lakefront Promenade districts.

Designated parking areas

All riders must end their trips and park their device at a designated parking area. This can include parking stations or designated parking areas. There will be more than 600 parking areas marked in Lime Technology, Inc. and Bird Canada’s app to help riders properly end their trip.

This year, the City will also be removing the requirement to lock devices to a pole, bike rack or signpost to maintain consistency when parking at a station or a designated parking area.

2024 program highlights

• From June to December 2024, more than 120,000 trips were taken through the shared e-bike and e-scooter program, attracting more than 45,000 unique users.
• Approximately 13 per cent of all trips made in 2024 originated from a Business Improvement Area, while another 13 per cent ended their trips in one. Riders in Mississauga have used the program to reach a variety of destinations across the city, including transit hubs, shopping malls, main street businesses, residential buildings and parks.
• Shared e-bike and e-scooter services have been expanded at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), with two designated parking areas on campus. In 2024, more than 700 trips either began or ended at UTM, with more than 250 unique users.
• Four parking areas were also established next to Sheridan College – Hazel McCallion (Mississauga) Campus, enhancing connectivity for faculty, staff and students. Approximately 1,500 trips were recorded to and from these locations, with more than 700 unique riders.

Compliance and fines

Ninety-six per cent of all trips completed in 2024 followed all program rules and regulations. The service providers issued 4,300 warnings for various types of rider violations, with the most common being improper parking and sidewalk riding.

This year, both service providers will double their fine amounts for rider violations as part of an enhanced compliance strategy. Repeat offenders will receive a $20 fine, with continued violations leading to potential account suspension.

For dangerous riding behaviours, such as carrying a passenger or underage riding, both service providers acknowledge a zero-tolerance policy toward these violations and will suspend user accounts upon receiving a report.

Education

This year, staff will increase education for the shared e-bike and e-scooter program. This includes setting up booths at Community Rides events, organizing pop-up booths in public areas and attending local events. During these events, staff will educate residents on safety guidelines, how to ride, how the updated parking model works and overall program awareness.

Staff are also collaborating with the Peel District School Board and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board to launch an educational campaign on safe e-scooter use, targeting school-aged children and their parents.

Learn more about the shared e-bike and e-scooter program: mississauga.ca/micromobility

Background

In October 2019, Council supported the recommendation for City staff to look at how a program of shared bikes, e-bikes or e-scooters could be used for travel in Mississauga as part of a Micro-Mobility Program Development Project. Following extensive analysis and community and stakeholder consultation in June 2022, Council approved a recommendation to develop a shared micro-mobility program that offers e-bikes and e-scooters with a mix of parking stations and free-floating parking.

In June 2024, the City partnered with Lime Technology, Inc. and Bird Canada to provide a combined fleet of 300 e-bikes and 900 e-scooters available for rent across Mississauga.

Quote

“We heard your feedback. We’re continuing to adjust the program to improve it and make it run more smoothly. Installing new parking stations in dense areas will help address some of the concerns from last year. We’ll be able to keep the devices more organized, while freeing up bike racks for personal devices. We’re also planning to offer more education to our residents and riders about safety, rules and parking. We’re committed to ensuring the program meets the needs of our residents and our users.” – Sam Rogers, Commissioner, Transportation and Works

Tags

• Active Transportation
• Cycling
• Transportation