The City of Mississauga’s recently launched electric scooter and bicycle-sharing program has encountered significant challenges, with numerous complaints regarding abandoned e-scooters piling up. Ward 1 Councillor Stephen Dasko voiced his concerns at a city council meeting, stating that his office has been overwhelmed with complaints about scooters being abandoned across the city, particularly in the waterfront area and at bicycle racks.
“I’ve lost count of how many complaints I’ve received regarding this issue. It’s an ongoing battle,” Dasko said, calling for immediate action to address the growing problem. The councillor expressed disappointment that some scooters have been left in public spaces for days, with reports that one abandoned scooter near the waterfront took as long as eight days to be removed.
The micro-mobility program, which launched earlier this summer, provides 900 electric scooters and 300 electric pedal-assist bicycles available for rent at over 600 locations throughout Mississauga. The initiative is part of the city’s effort to encourage alternative modes of transportation. However, the surge in complaints has highlighted the need for improvements in how the devices are managed.
Dasko suggested that a docking station model would have helped prevent scooters from being scattered throughout the city. “This is a significant problem, especially with scooters taking up excessive space at bicycle racks, leaving little room for actual bikes,” he added.
In response, Sam Rogers, Mississauga’s Commissioner of Transportation and Works, acknowledged that city staff anticipated some issues with the program’s rollout. Rogers assured councillors that steps would be taken to resolve the problems in Ward 1 and that a comprehensive assessment of the e-scooter and e-bike program would be presented by the end of the year.
Lime, one of the companies providing e-scooters and e-bikes for the program, said they are in constant communication with the city to address concerns. A spokesperson for Lime noted that operational improvements have already been made, resulting in a significant drop in misplaced or abandoned vehicles in recent weeks. Lime also plans to launch educational initiatives to inform the community about proper parking practices and safe use of the devices.
Ward 2 Councillor Alvin Tedjo emphasized that the challenges with the program extend beyond abandoned scooters, suggesting an educational campaign in 2025 to raise awareness of safety protocols and responsible usage.
Mississauga is one of nine Ontario municipalities offering a shared micro-mobility system, joining cities like Toronto, Brampton, and Ottawa. The program, which is in partnership with Lime Technology, Inc. and Bird Canada, is part of a three-year initiative aimed at expanding sustainable transportation options in the city.