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Transport Canada
Power-Assisted Bicycles
In 2001, Transport Canada amended the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations to allow the introduction of power-assisted bicycles in Canada. Power-assisted bicycles are electric bicycles propelled by either a combination of the cyclist and a motor or by the motor alone. Previously, these bicycles were classified as limited-speed motorcycles; however, they did not meet the safety standards for limited-speed motorcycles, and were therefore not for sale in Canada.

After consultation with vehicle manufacturers, importers, public safety organizations, government officials and stakeholders, safety and performance parameters were established specifically for power-assisted bicycles, exempting them from the safety standards for limited-speed motorcycles.

During the summer of 2000, Transport Canada contributed $30,000 towards an evaluation of this type of bicycle with the Centre d'expérimentation des véhicules électriques du Québec. The study assessed the safety of power-assisted bicycles and the potential to replace more traditional means of commuting to work and other short distance travel in urban centres.

Following the publication of the draft regulation in the Canada Gazette Part I on November 20, 1999, Transport Canada conducted two further rounds of consultations with the provinces and territories and principal stakeholders. The consultations were conducted to further develop safety and performance parameters, and to extend the scope of the regulations to include power-assisted bicycles equipped with an accelerator control. All comments received were taken into consideration during the preparation of the amendment.

The current regulation specifies components for power-assisted bicycles including a maximum of three wheels, one or more electric motor that can assist the cyclist up to a speed of 32 km/h and that do not exceed a total output of 500 watts, and an on/off switch or mechanism that prevents the motor from being engaged until the bicycle reaches a speed of three km/h.

Power-assisted bicycles must also comply with the requirements of provincial and territorial regulations. Each province or territory may adopt the federal definition as is or add further restrictions to meet their own specific needs. Consumers interested in determining whether power-assisted bicycles can be used in their province or territory should contact their provincial or territorial Ministry of Transportation.

Ministry of Transportation Ontario
Power-Assisted/Electric Bicycles
Can be operated on roads in Ontario

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 bikes or e-bikes) 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.
•All operators must wear an approved bicycle helmet at all times.

During the pilot:

•No driver's licence is required,
•No written test is required,
•No vehicle registration or plate required,
•No requirement for motor vehicle liability insurance.

An e-bike is a bike that:

•has steering handlebars and is equipped with pedals;
•is designed to be propelled primarily by muscular power and to travel on not more than three wheels;
•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.)

The power-assisted bicycle pilot is authorized by Ontario Regulation 473/06. In this regulation, the legal definition of an e-bike 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.

Note: A commitment has been made to evaluate the pilot prior to its three-year expiry. The intent of the ministry's pilot was to allow e-bikes that look and operate like conventional bikes in order to promote a safe, healthy and environmentally friendly alternative to current transportation modes.

The ministry has become aware of scooter-style vehicles that technically meet the pilot's e-bike definition, but not the intent, as they are not primarily operated by muscular power due to their heavy weight. Therefore, in addition to evaluating how safely the e-bike can integrate with other motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians, the emergence of the scooter-style e-bikes requires the ministry to also assess if the pilot's original intent continues to be appropriate. The ministry may clarify its position on the original intent of the pilot when final legislation is drafted.


Dealerships
E-Bikes Direct H.O.
12960 Yonge St.
P.O. Box 2087
Richmond Hill On.
(905)-773-6699
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E-Bikes Direct Mississauga
390 Derry Road West
Mississauga, ON
L5W 1N6
(416)-409-7568
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E-Bikes Direct Pickering
905 Dillingham Rd. Unit 9
Pickering, ON
L1W 3X1
(905)-621-7646
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