Did you know?
The growing popularity of electric bikes (e-bikes) in Canada has led to an alarming trend: a significant increase in severe injuries. Hospitals throughout Canada are treating a higher number of e-bike riders with more serious injuries, many of which are preventable. As e-bikes become a common mode of transportation, it’s more important than ever for riders to prioritize safety. This includes wearing a helmet and being familiar with all rules and regulations for safe riding.
The 16-Rule in Ontario
In Ontario, the Highway Traffic Act strictly mandates that e-bike operators be at least 16 years old to ride on public roads, with zero exceptions for younger riders. Despite this clear legal boundary, it remains surprisingly common to witness underage children speeding through stop signs, performing wheelies and riding without helmets!
Helmets are mandatory for everyone
Every rider must wear an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet. While regular cyclists under 18 are subject to helmet laws, e-bike helmet laws apply strictly to all riders regardless of age.
Brush up on the Rules of the Road
E-bike riders must follow the same rules of the road as regular cyclists. People 16 years old and older should be fully comfortable handling the bike’s weight, keeping within speed limits (up to 32 km/h), and navigating traffic safely.
In Ontario, e-bikes are classified as “power-assisted bicycles” under the Highway Traffic Act, but they are defined as “motor vehicles” in the Criminal Code of Canada. In this week’s column, I’ll be sharing some invaluable information on e-bikes, courtesy of the MTO (Ministry of Transportation of Ontario).
E-bikes in Ontario: Where can you ride?
You can ride an e-bike on most roads and highways where conventional bicycles are permitted, with some exceptions. You cannot ride an e-bike on:
- Certain provincial controlled access highways, such as the 400 series, the Queen-Elizabeth Way, the Queensway in Ottawa or the Kitchener-Waterloo Expressway.
- Municipal roads, including sidewalks, where bicycles are banned under municipal bylaws.
- Municipal roads, sidewalks, bike paths, bike trails or bike lanes where e-bikes are prohibited.
E-bike requirements
To operate an e-bike in Ontario, the e-bike must have:
- A maximum assistance speed of 32 km/h.
- A maximum weight of 120 kg (includes the weight of the bike and battery).
- An electric motor not exceeding 500 watts.
- No modification to the motor to allow it to exceed a power output greater than 500 watts and an assisted speed greater than 32 km/h.
- Battery and electric motor securely fastened to the bicycle frame to prevent them from moving while the e-bike is operating.
- All electrical terminals must be properly insulated.
- Minimum wheel width of 35 mm and minimum diameter of 350 mm.
- Two independent braking systems that apply force to each wheel and are capable of bringing the e-bike, while being operated at a speed of 30 km/h, to a full stop within nine metres, on a level asphalt surface, from the point at which the brakes were applied.
Note: Removing the pedals makes the e-bike a motor vehicle, which requires a licence, insurance and registration to operate. It is also illegal to modify an e-bike’s electric motor to make it more powerful or to increase the assisted speed of the bike.
Remember, taking the time to learn and practice injury prevention costs you nothing. Failing to do so could lead to the unthinkable … the loss of your life and the lives of those you hold dear.
Safety—it starts with you.
