BY ELECTRIC BIKE
The electric bike does not need to be registered. The Road Safety Code provides specific rules for driving such a bicycle, including the obligation to wear a helmet.
WHAT IS AN ELECTRIC BIKE?
Officially called an “electrically assisted bicycle” (VAE), the electric bicycle is equipped:
- an electric motor (not gasoline) not exceeding 500 watts and a rechargeable battery. When the driver is not using the electric motor, the VAE must allow pedaling like a conventional bicycle
- handlebars and pedals
- 2 or 3 wheels which are in contact with the ground
THE Road safety code provides special rules for people who ride electric bicycles, including the obligation to wear a bicycle helmet .
WEARING A PROTECTIVE HELMET COMPLIANT WITH STANDARDS IS MANDATORY
The helmet must be made of a rigid shell, be padded inside and have a strap that passes under the chin.
TO BE COMPLIANT, THE HELMET MUST MEET ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING STANDARDS:
- CAN/CSA-D113.2 (Canadian Standards Association)
- 16 CFR Part 1203 (United States Consumer Product Safety Commission)
- ASTM F1447 or ASTM F1898 (American Society for Testing and Materials)
- EN 1078 (European Committee for Standardization)
- B-90 and B-95 (Snell Memorial Foundation)
In addition to being illegal, a bicycle helmet that does not comply with one of these standards may not offer you adequate protection.
Electric bike and protective helmet: fines are planned
If you do not comply with the Highway Safety Code, you risk a fine of $60 to $100.
HELMET FIT
Head injuries can lead to fatalities among cyclists. Make sure you fit your helmet correctly.
ELECTRIC BIKE EQUIPMENT
Electric bike equipment must comply with the Automobile Insurance Act and at Road Safety Code , among other things with regard to reflectors.
The electric bike must have the label affixed by the manufacturer.
RIDE AN ELECTRIC BIKE ON PUBLIC ROADS
- It is necessary to respect the rules which apply to all cyclists, including the Highway Safety Code and the obligation to wear a helmet.
- Driving on public roads is permitted, except on motorways and their access roads.
- It is not necessary to register an electric bicycle.
MINIMUM AGE TO RIDE AN ELECTRIC BIKE
To have the right to drive an electric bike, you must be aged 14 or over .
DRIVING LICENSE TO RIDE AN ELECTRIC BIKE
FROM 14 TO 17 YEARS OLD
It is mandatory to have at least a license from the class 6D authorizing the conduct of a .
18 YEARS OR OLDER
No permit is necessary.
BICYCLE EQUIPPED WITH A COMBUSTION ENGINE: PROHIBITED
It is prohibited to travel on the road network or on cycle paths with a bicycle equipped with a combustion engine (for example a gasoline engine).
Adding such a motor converts the bike into artisanal or artisanal.
THE Road safety code does not allow this type of conversion.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE ASSISTED BICYCLE (E-BIKE) AND THE ELECTRIC SCOOTER
There may be some confusion between the electric scooter and the assisted bicycle ( E-bike ).
Visually, they can be confused, especially when the removable pedals are removed from the power-assisted bicycle. Another important difference is that the electric scooter must be registered, while the assisted bicycle does not need to be.
Assisted bicycle ( E-bike )
- Maximum power is 500 W
- Maximum speed is 32 km/h
- It bears a special conformity label
- It is not required to have a decodable 17-character serial number complying with Transport Canada Standard 115
- It cannot be registered
- Wearing a protective bicycle helmet is mandatory
Electric scooter
- Maximum power is not limited
- Maximum speed is 70 km/h
- It bears the standard Transport Canada compliance label
- It must be identified by a 17-character decodable number complying with Transport Canada standard 115.
- It must be registered
- Wearing a protective motorcycle helmet is mandatory