Police release video of e-scooter travelling with traffic on Conestoga Expressway
Waterloo Regional Police have posted a dashboard-camera video showing a person riding an electric scooter beside vehicles on the Conestoga Expressway in Kitchener, and cautioned residents that the behaviour is both unsafe and contrary to Ontario law.
The short clip — about 13 seconds long — was shared on the service's Facebook page. It shows the rider moving at speed down the four-lane divided highway, crossing two lanes of traffic while passenger vehicles pass on either side. The video is undated and the exact time it was recorded has not been disclosed by police.
In their post, police emphasised provincial rules for e-scooters: under Ontario law, powered stand-up scooters are limited to 24 km/h and are not permitted on controlled-access highways. The Conestoga Expressway is a major arterial route through the city and is patrolled by the Ontario Provincial Police, the post noted.
"This is not where an e-scooter belongs," the Waterloo Regional Police Service said. "At high speeds, riders have little time to react to vehicles, children, animals, or other unexpected hazards. One wrong move could have devastating consequences."
Safety concerns on a busy urban expressway
Residents who use the Conestoga Expressway for commuting or local travel said the roadway is not designed for vulnerable micromobility users. The limited-entry, multi-lane carriageways and higher speeds of other vehicles create hazardous conditions for any rider whose vehicle cannot keep pace with traffic or accelerate out of danger.
Police did not say whether any charges were laid in connection with the footage or whether they have identified the rider. The public post served primarily as a reminder about the legal restrictions and the risks involved in operating e-scooters in areas intended for faster-moving motor vehicles.
- Where it happened: Conestoga Expressway, Kitchener
- Source material: Waterloo Regional Police Service Facebook post with dashboard-camera footage
- Key legal points: e-scooters limited to 24 km/h; prohibited on controlled-access highways
What this means for Kitchener residents
The reminder from police highlights a tension that has emerged as micromobility devices become more common in Ontario cities: riders often prefer direct routes but many fast urban corridors are legally and practically unsuitable for e-scooters. For commuters and families in Kitchener, the guidance is clear — expressways are not safe places for low-speed electric scooters.
City planners and road safety advocates have been wrestling with how to integrate e-scooters and other small electric devices into urban transportation networks without creating new hazards. While some municipalities have moved to create separated lanes and clearer parking rules for shared e-scooters, provincial regulations still restrict where and how privately owned e-scooters can be used.
For now, Waterloo Regional Police are using the video as a public safety message. Motorists and vulnerable road users are being urged to follow the law and avoid taking risks that could endanger themselves and others. Police warned that at the speeds captured in the video, riders have minimal time to react to sudden obstacles.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Video length | Approximately 13 seconds |
| Maximum legal e-scooter speed (Ontario) | 24 km/h |
| Where e-scooters are prohibited | Controlled-access highways (including Conestoga Expressway) |
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Waterloo Regional Police through their usual non-emergency channels. In the meantime, authorities say the clip should serve as a reminder to Kitchener residents that convenience cannot come at the cost of safety on busy roadways.
