E-bikes
Nova Scotia’s Traffic Safety Act took effect on October 19, 2026. Under it, a rider must be 14 or older to ride a power-assisted bicycle, matching the age for e-scooters, and motor assistance can continue up to 32 km/h instead of the old 30 km/h.
The motor must be 500 W or less, and riders must wear a helmet. A parent or guardian who lets a child under 14 ride an e-bike can be fined up to $100, and so can the bike’s owner. Children under 14 can still ride regular bicycles on sidewalks unless a sign or bylaw says otherwise, but that exception doesn’t cover e-bikes.
E-scooters
E-scooters have been allowed since amendments passed in 2022. Riders must be 14 or older and wear a helmet, and the maximum speed is 32 km/h. Each municipality decides whether e-scooters can use its roads, sidewalks or shared sidewalks, and can set a lower speed limit. E-scooters aren’t allowed on provincial highways.
In Halifax, the Micromobility By-law allows e-scooters on roads posted 50 km/h or less, in bike lanes, and on multi-use paths beside streets, at up to 25 km/h on roads and bike lanes and 15 km/h on multi-use paths. They can’t be ridden on sidewalks, or on paths in parks unless a sign allows them.
Onewheels, e-unicycles and e-skateboards
The province’s summary of the new Act lists electric scooters, bicycles and recreational apparatus such as skateboards and kick-scooters as conveyances with their own offences. It doesn’t set out rules for Onewheels or e-unicycles, and we haven’t found an official statement on whether they can use public roads.
Cities
Municipalities decide where e-scooters can go and how fast. Check your municipality’s bylaw before riding.