The Ontario Provincial Police is reminding consumers to do their homework before purchasing an enclosed electric vehicle marketed as a mobility assistance scooter.
Police say a growing number of enclosed low-speed vehicles, or LSVs, are being advertised as mobility assistance scooters, even though many of them differ significantly from the mobility devices traditionally used by people with mobility challenges.
Unlike conventional mobility scooters, which are typically controlled with handlebars, a hand-operated throttle and hand brakes, many enclosed LSVs feature a steering wheel, accelerator and brake pedals, doors, mirrors, lights, seat belts, a windshield and a speedometer. Some are capable of travelling at speeds of 30 kilometres an hour or more.
Because of those features, the OPP says many of these vehicles meet the Ministry of Transportation’s definition of a low-speed vehicle rather than a pedestrian mobility device.
Traditional mobility assistance scooters are generally treated as pedestrian conveyances. Users are expected to operate them on sidewalks where available, giving pedestrians the right-of-way. If no sidewalk exists, operators should travel as close as practical to the edge of the roadway while using caution.
Police warn that enclosed microcar-style electric vehicles meeting the definition of a motor vehicle cannot legally be driven on public roads unless they comply with provincial and federal requirements, including registration, licensing, insurance and mandatory safety equipment.
Drivers who fail to meet those requirements could face charges under the Highway Traffic Act or the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act, including operating a motor vehicle without insurance.
The OPP says consumers should not assume a vehicle is legally considered a mobility device simply because it is advertised that way. Buyers are encouraged to understand how a vehicle is classified and where it can legally be operated before making a purchase.
Written by: Brian Turner
