Councillors vote down controversial proposed tobogganing ban in Oshawa, Ont.

Kids go tobogganing at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa on Family Day, Monday, Feb. 17, 2020. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

A city east of Toronto has voted down a proposal to ban tobogganing on all but two hills after public pushback.

Oshawa city councillor Brian Nicholson, who spoke out against the proposed ban, says city staff will instead look to remove hazards where possible and use existing powers to post signs banning sleds on the most dangerous hills.

The proposed ban was part of a set of recommendations drafted by staff after the city's insurer identified a number of risks associated with popular tobogganing hills.

But Nicholson called the recommendations an overreaction to the insurer's report with no public support.

Councillor Derek Giberson says the city must do something to address the insurer's concerns, but he's confident it can be done without a ban.

A number of cities, including Toronto, post signs to indicate where tobogganing is prohibited under local bylaws and have a list of hills inspected regularly by staff.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 3, 2023.