Skates, Skateboards and Non-Motorized Foot Scooters: What the Law Says

Non-motorized foot scooters are authorized for use on the roadway. Some equipment is mandatory and safety rules apply.

In brief

Allowed on the roadway

Non-motorized foot scooters are allowed on the roadway. Certain electric scooters are permitted under the pilot project concerning the use of motorized personal mobility devices. For more information, visit the motorized personal mobility devices web page.

The traffic rules that apply to cyclists also apply to people who use non-motorized foot scooters.

Prohibited on the roadway

• Skates (roller skates, inline skates)
• Skateboards

Where to use skates, non-motorized foot scooters and skateboards 

Contact your municipality to find out where you can safely use skates, non-motorized foot scooters and skateboards.

Although they are authorized for use on the roadway, a municipality may ban the use of non-motorized foot scooters on bike paths and multi-purpose trails under its management located outside the public road right-of-way. 

Mandatory equipment for non-motorized foot scooters

Anyone who sells or rents non-motorized foot scooters must ensure that they are equipped with the following:

• at least one white reflector or white reflective material at the front
• at least one red reflector or red reflective material at the rear
• a red reflector or red reflective material on both sides of the footboard, as far to the rear as possible

Using a non-motorized foot scooter at night

When using a non-motorized foot scooter at night, you must ensure that it is equipped with the above-mentioned equipment.

However, if you are wearing reflective clothing or an accessory with reflective material that is easily visible to other road users, you are exempted from the above obligation.

Braking system

Non-motorized foot scooters must be equipped with a rear wheel braking system at a minimum. The system must be sufficiently powerful to quickly block the rotation of the wheel on a paved, dry and level roadway and bring the device to a quick stop

Penalties and fines

Offence	Fine
Use of skates (roller skates, inline skates), skateboards, skis or toy motor cars on a roadway	$80 to $100
Use on a roadway of a non-motorized foot scooter that is not equipped with a rear-wheel braking system, or whose rear-wheel braking system is not powerful enough	$80 to $100
Use of a non-motorized foot scooter at night without the required reflectors or reflective material, or without being visible to other road users	$80 to $100
Selling or renting of a non-motorized foot scooter that is not equipped with the mandatory reflectors or reflective material	$200 to $300