What is an e-bike?
The Short
Answer
In Ontario, an E-bike is a bicycle-like vehicle powered by an electric
motor that, if it meets certain legal
specifications, can be driven on Ontario roads as a
bicycle, that is:
- the operator of an e-bike must follow the rules of the
road, but is not
required to have a driver's license or to carry insurance, and
- the e-bike is not required to be licensed (or
plated.)
Under this arrangement, riders of e-bikes are able to take advantage of
a
powered
form of transportation that has both a low operating cost and a low
environmental impact.
The Longer
Answer
The legal definition of an electric bicycle (or e-bike) was established
by Transport Canada in the Canadian
Motor
Vehicle Safety Act (amended 2001). Under this
definition an e-bike is a bicycle that:
- has an
added battery powered
electric motor that does not exceed 500 watts at the axle
- is incapable of assisting the
cyclist beyond speeds of 32 km/h (20 mph), and
- has safety features to keep the motor from engaging
unintentionally, and that disegage the motor when cyclist intends to
stop,
- can be propelled solely under muscular power,
- bears a label indicating it conforms to the definition.
By
establishing this definition, Transport Canada was allowed
e-bikes to be exempted from the safety requirements
of "limited speed motorcycles" and put them into a class of
consumer products equivalent to bicycles.
Although an e-bike was
defined at the national level in 2001, it was up to the provinces, who
are responsible for road safety, to subsequently create the legal
framework for e-bikes to be used on the roads within their
jurisdictions. Several provinces, including British Columbia
and
Quebec were quick to enable the use of e-bikes, however it took some
time for Ontario
to respond.
On November 21, 2005, the Province of Ontario passed
legislation, which permitted the
Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) to set regulations
for the use of e-bikes on Ontario roads.
Almost one year later, on October 3, 2006, the MTO established
a three year pilot
program permitting the use of E-bikes on Ontario Roads. The
legislation essentially permits e-bikes to be ridden as normal
bicycles
with the following exceptions:
- operators must be 16 years of age or older, and
- operators must wear an appoved bicycle helmut at all times.
In
addition to these two main rules, there are some additional rules
applicable to e-bike riders during the pilot (e.g.
higher fines for
non-compliance) that are best learned by refering to
MTO FAQ E-Bike Pilot Test web
site.
The
rules of the road for e-bikes
E-bikes are to be ridden as if they are a bicycle when on the road.
For a full explanation of how a bicycle is supposed to be ridden in
Ontario please refer to
Helpful Cycling Skills and Road Rules from
the MTO.
What
do e-bikes look like?
There are two basic styles of e-bikes, both of which fit the
legal definition:
- Bicycle style e-bikes, and
- Scooter style e-bikes
Bicycle
Style E-bikes
Bicycle
style e-bikes look like (surprise) bicycles.
Normal operation requires rider to pedal most of the time.
Typical features of bicycle style e-bikes:
- Getting on the bike requires swinging
a leg over the seat.
- Motor provides extra power when
needed. (e.g. up hills
or
into the wind)
- They may have a deraileur or other
type of gearing,
- The battery is identifiable
as a thickening of the frame (long and narrow),
- Battery meter on the handlebars
- Battery may be required to be
removed for charging.
- The batteries are
smaller to
limit the weight for the cyclist.
- This style of e-bike
may use the "do not engage motor until 3 km/h is
achieved" control mechanism.
This style of e-bike is generally less expensive than a
scooter style e-bike, however with the smaller battery the
power
and/or range are reduced.
Scooter
Style E-Bikes
The
scooter style of e-bikes have a distinctive look that is new to the
streets of Ontario. These bikes are designed to be propelled
through use of the electric motor alone and use a throttle to control
the speed.
Typical features of scooter style e-bikes:
- step through access to get on,
- instrumentation panel including a speedometer, odometer,
and battery meter,
- built-in lights, turn signals an horns,
- built-in security features: typically alarms,
wheels locks, steering locks
- battery is located under rider's feet and/or under the
seat; the scooter configuration permits larger batteries to be used so
a longer range is expected.
- batteries can be charged while on the bike; the
charger is normally a separate item; batteries are removable for
cool weather charging,
- lockable cargo storage under the seat and in the 'trunk'
located behind
the rider,
- scooter style suspension
- these e-bikes are considerably heavier, can weigh up to 175
lbs, but this is not an issue since they are self propelled.
In spite their resemblance to mopeds and operation that relies on motor
propulsion, these e-bikes legitimately fall into the legal definition
of an e-bike. Differences from moped are easy to spot,
particularly if seen in operaton on the road:
on e-bikes there is no
exhaust, no noise, they travel slower in traffic and they take
only part of a lane.
Most members of the Durham E-bike Association ride scooter style
e-bikes.
Next:
Why use e-bikes?
