| Current Laws
Caution - driving with removed pedals
means a possible $6000 in fines.
Effective October 3, 2006, the Province
of Ontario began a three-year pilot project to evaluate the use of
power-assisted bicycles also known as electric
bike, electric bicycle, ebike, e-bike, on roads and highways
where conventional bicycles are currently allowed. The pilot is
opened to all Ontarians 16 years of age and older and will run for
three years. For the duration of the pilot, electric bicycles will
be treated as bicycles and must follow the same rules of the road as
set out in the Highway Traffic Act that currently apply to cyclists.
There are two exceptions:
Operators must be 16 years of age or older, and All operators must
wear an approved bicycle helmet at all times.
1) No driver's license is required,
2) No written test is required,
3) No vehicle registration or plate required,
4) No requirement for motor vehicle liability insurance.
5) An e-bike is a bike that:
What makes an E-bike?
(i)has steering handlebars and is equipped with pedals;
(ii)is designed to be propelled primarily by muscular power and to
travel on not more than three wheels;
(iii)has a motor that has a power output rating of 500W or less.
(Note: the motor is electric, and is incapable of propelling the
cycle at speed of 32km/h or greater on level ground, without
pedaling.)
(iv)has the proper label stating that it's a Power-assisted bicycle
and meets all the requirements of the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety
Regulations.
The power-assisted bicycle pilot is authorized by Ontario Regulation
473/06. In this regulation, the legal definition of an ebike refers
to the Federal definition of a power-assisted bicycle. For the full
definition, please see subsection 2(1) of the Motor Vehicle Safety
Regulations under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
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