The Pickering e-scooter pilot is approaching the end of its 2026 operating season, with shared Bird scooters scheduled to remain available through the end of October if weather permits.
Pickering brought the shared program back April 1 after launching it in 2025. Bird Canada operates and maintains the rental fleet, including the equipment and operating expenses, at no cost to the city.
City staff say feedback and operating data gathered during the pilot will help inform decisions about permanent shared e-scooter options and future rules.
Shared scooters operate daily with speed controls
The shared scooters normally operate from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. New trips are disabled remotely at 10:45 p.m., and the devices remain inactive until service resumes the following morning.
The scooters are capped at 20 kilometres per hour, with a lower 15 km/h maximum in designated slow zones. The Bird mobile app shows rental rates, scooter locations, slow zones, no-ride areas and designated parking locations.
Shared scooters must be parked upright at a permitted location shown in the app or marked by signs or pavement mats. They cannot block sidewalks, driveways, walkways, transit access or other public routes.
Pickering rules restrict where scooters can travel
Pickering’s rules allow e-scooters on roads but prohibit riding them on sidewalks, multi-use paths, parks and trails. Riders must be at least 16, and riders younger than 18 must wear a helmet.
Scooters are limited to roads with speed limits of 60 km/h or less unless a dedicated bicycle lane is present. Riders cannot carry a passenger or cargo, and the vehicles must have a bell or horn plus required front and rear lights.
The shared Bird devices are programmed not to operate outside Pickering’s boundary or above the applicable speed limits. Privately owned scooters remain the responsibility of their owners and are also subject to local and regional rules.
City collecting safety and parking feedback
Pickering’s Transportation and Traffic Services and Municipal Law Enforcement teams are monitoring the program with Bird Canada. Residents can report collisions and sidewalk riding to Durham Regional Police, using 911 when a collision causes a serious injury or death.
Improperly parked shared scooters and other Bird equipment issues can be reported through the Bird app or the contact options on the city’s program page. Other questions can be directed to Pickering Customer Care.
Daily Durham reported Sunday evening that the second season was entering its final weeks. The city’s official page confirms that the Pickering e-scooter pilot runs annually from April through the end of October, subject to weather.
