1.3.1Launch micro mobility systems (bike, e-bike and e-scooter-sharing systems) in Waterloo Region communities

People must have access to the tools and resources they need to reach all parts of our communities easily and conveniently without a personal vehicle.

This action will be led by the Region of Waterloo and the Area Municipalities. Please see below for the most recent publicly available updates.

THE REGION OF WATERLOO

The Region of Waterloo launched the micro-mobility program in April 2023 in the downtown cores of City of Cambridge, City of Kitchener, and City of Waterloo. In its first year, the program included up to 500 e-bikes and 500 e-scooters for community members to rent until the end of October. Click here to learn more.

Neuron shared micromobility system will launch for the third riding season in 2025. It aims to:

1. Expand service area in coordination with City partners’ priorities.
2. Launch Neuron’s adaptive vehicles pilot program for individuals living with mobility impairments

For more information on Neuron Canada, visit: here

For rules for riding and how-to-ride information, visit scootsafe.com and select Waterloo Region.

CITY OF CAMBRIDGE

The City of Cambridge continues to support the shared micromobility program in partnership with the Region of Waterloo and the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo. Following Council’s 2022 approval to amend the Traffic and Parking By-law, e-scooters are permitted on roads with speed limits of 50 km/h or less, reserved cycling lanes, and multiuse trails. In 2023, the municipalities entered into a joint Licence Agreement with Neuron Mobility to launch a shared micromobility program, which includes e-bikes and e-scooters. The program operated from April to October and was renewed for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. In 2024, the program recorded approximately 173,700 trips and 288,000 km travelled across the three cities. Over 20% of trips started or ended at transit stops and stations, supporting multimodal connectivity. For the 2025 season, Neuron redeployed its fleet in April and introduced new accessible vehicle options, including upright tricycles and handcycle tricycles. Program priorities include service area expansion, enhanced education campaigns, and improved geofencing and parking compliance. In Cambridge, micromobility parking stations are located primarily in the downtown core, including near the Ainslie Street Transit Terminal and other high-traffic transit nodes.

CITY OF WATERLOO

The City of Waterloo, in partnership with the University of Waterloo, launched an e-scooter sharing pilot program in 2018.

The City of Waterloo addresses action 1.3.1 through items included in the City's Transportation Master Plan Update 2020:

• Developing a Shared Mobility Strategy for the city in collaboration with the Region, local stakeholders, and potential partners. The strategy should consider the merit of introducing/piloting of an Eco mobility Hub, as well as assess the potential for a Mobility as a Service (MaaS) system
• Facilitating and promoting a shared micro mobility within the City through the introduction or modification of by-laws, policies, and guidelines pertaining to the allocation of public rights-of-ways, development and zoning regulations, insurance and for-hire vehicle regulations, and taxation and fees
• Continuing to pursue and implement policies and projects based on the 20-Minute City concept
• Developing a Curb Space Management Strategy for the City in collaboration with the Region, local stakeholders, and potential partners

TOWNSHIP OF WOOLWICH

The Township of Woolwich identifies that launching a micro mobility system is a future consideration for larger settlements (Breslau, Elmira, St. Jacobs).