Electric Bikes - E-Bike Road Rules

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View Full Version : E-Bike Road Rules


06Honda
03-01-12, 10:06 AM
I live in Kingston and was wondering if an E-Bike is permitted to be driven in designated Bicycle lanes due to it having a motor?


Sangesf
03-01-12, 03:44 PM
Could ya be a little more specific..
Kingston?
There's about 400 kingstons around the globe

06Honda
03-01-12, 08:28 PM
NP, Kingston Ontario Canada.


Sangesf
03-02-12, 05:21 AM
October 5, 2009 — Ontario is bringing in some new safety requirements for electric bikes. E-bikes, which can reach a speed of 32 kilometres per hour, are allowed to share the road with cars, pedestrians and other traffic throughout the province. The new rules limit the maximum weight of an e-bike to 120 kilograms, require a maximum braking distance of nine metres and prohibit any modifications to the bike's motor that would create speeds greater than 32 kilometres per hour. Also, riders must be at least 16 years of age, wear approved bicycle or motorcycle helmets and follow the same traffic laws as bicyclists. Municipalities will be able to decide where e-bikes may be used on their streets, bike lanes and trails. E-bikes will not be permitted on 400-series highways, expressways or other areas where bicycles are not allowed. Riding an e-bike under the age of 16 or riding an e-bike without an approved helmet carries fines ranging from $60 to $500. For all other traffic offences, e-bike riders will be subject to the same penalties as cyclists.

Sangesf
03-02-12, 05:22 AM
October 5, 2009 — Ontario is bringing in some new safety requirements for electric bikes. E-bikes, which can reach a speed of 32 kilometres per hour, are allowed to share the road with cars, pedestrians and other traffic throughout the province. The new rules limit the maximum weight of an e-bike to 120 kilograms, require a maximum braking distance of nine metres and prohibit any modifications to the bike's motor that would create speeds greater than 32 kilometres per hour. Also, riders must be at least 16 years of age, wear approved bicycle or motorcycle helmets and follow the same traffic laws as bicyclists. Municipalities will be able to decide where e-bikes may be used on their streets, bike lanes and trails. E-bikes will not be permitted on 400-series highways, expressways or other areas where bicycles are not allowed. Riding an e-bike under the age of 16 or riding an e-bike without an approved helmet carries fines ranging from $60 to $500. For all other traffic offences, e-bike riders will be subject to the same penalties as cyclists.

06Honda
03-02-12, 07:50 AM
Wonderful information, maybe I will contact a local cycling club before buying. Thanks for the post back, appreciate it.

Paul

rscamp
03-02-12, 11:46 AM
Note that Ontario municipalities reserve the right to limit ebike use on specific trails.

GTALuigi
03-02-12, 12:05 PM
the new rules in Ontario also prohibit the use of e-scooters look a likes on bike path and parks, basically any of those that looks like a motorcycle / moped / scooter with bike pedals

most of which usually weights around or just a tad bit over the 120 kg limits anyways

I've always complained about that in the past, people driving e-Motorcycle in the bike path / parks to instead of biking, because they don't pedal at all, they just push the button or throttle and let it rip, and some of those motorcycle looking ones goes over 50 km/h and the owners running those types usually don't care about the rest of the people that are also sharing the bike path, they'll run you over rather than slowing down to yield the right of way.

Anyways i'm glad we don't have to put up with those people any more, as now they have to ride the streets, yet i still some of them do the side walk instead :rolleyes:

06Honda
03-02-12, 04:51 PM
The reason for me asking is I am trying to decide between a bike or ebike. I am leaning at a regular bike as we have a good number of bike lanes in town and lots of biking areas around. Plus I get some exercise and can get a nice bike for less money with no batteries to charge etc.

GTALuigi
03-02-12, 05:45 PM
you still do exercise or even more exercise using an eBike :D
no joke
because one you are on it, it feels like easier to ride and faster
so you naturally try to go even faster, so you sweat even more

and on top of that when the fun is over and the battery is dry you get to ride a bike that weight a ton, and you do even more exercise pedalling it back home or to the nearest power outlet :p