What Came First: The Chicken or the Egg?
We often use phrases like “cart before the horse,” “chicken or egg,” “jumping the gun,” or “putting the roof on before the walls” to describe a common planning mistake: failing to think through the process. This crucial step, if handled proactively, could help us design rules and establish guidelines to protect people from the negative consequences of new initiatives.
The introduction of e-scooters and e-bikes in Toronto is one such service that has appeared almost overnight, catching the public off guard. There was little to no preparation, training, licensing, usage manuals, or clear road rules implemented beforehand.
Readers of this newsletter will recall that *GTA Muslims Today* was among the first to raise concerns on this issue (refer to our July 22, 2025 newsletter, titled “E-scooters Are Not Toys“). Interestingly, Michael Langfield, Executive Director of the advocacy group Cycle Toronto, echoed this sentiment in a recent media report, stating: “kids and teenagers are using them as toys.”
The consequences of this usage have become evident. A recent study by St. Michael’s Hospital revealed a concerning trend: injuries related to these devices are increasing annually. Between 2020 and 2024, the number of trauma cases treated rose from 15 to 51—an increase of 240%—with e-scooter injuries climbing from four to 28.
However, amid growing concern, we must exercise caution. Instituting harsh laws may not provide a viable solution. A headline from a local news portal asked, “Should Toronto seize e-bikes and e-scooters from riders on sidewalks?” The accompanying report quoted a Toronto city councillor who recommended that e-scooter and e-bike riders caught on sidewalks should have their devices confiscated.
Coun. Jon Burnside noted that public education campaigns and traffic enforcement initiatives (which many Torontonians may not even be aware of) have not sufficiently deterred e-travellers from riding on sidewalks. As a result, he argued that “more enforcement power (seizing items) is needed to reinforce the messaging as the number of injuries is increasing.” He added, “They have the potential to go quite quickly and seriously hurt people. I think we need to take this more seriously than we have been.”
Ironically, this suggests another measure lacking careful planning. While seizing a bike or scooter may seem like a solution, it fails to address the new problems this action would create. For instance, there are questions about the legality of such seizures, as laws governing these micromobility devices vary by city—what’s prohibited in Toronto may be legal in Mississauga. Additionally, what would the costs be for fines or for recovering seized vehicles? This could impose further hardships on city residents who have recently received economic relief from Premier Ford’s ban on speed cameras.
Ultimately, we must trust our lawmakers to navigate this situation wisely—this time around.
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