Zeuser

A motor vehicle is illegal on a bike path. And since I know what you're trying to get at, you need to understand that under the law, an eBike is NOT considered as a motor vehicle. An eBike is a bike. It follows all the same rules as a regular bike; with a few more restrictions. It's allowed everywhere a regular bike is allowed to go. An eBike is allowed on a bike path because it's not a motor vehicle.

Sounds weird doesn't it? You would think that an eBike would be considered a motor vehicle right? Well, think about it for a second: an eBike doesn't require a driver's licence, insurance or licence plate. Why? because it's not a motor vehicle.

EDIT: Here's what the law states regarding eBikes in Ontario Canada. Most states in the U.S. are similar:

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, and
• All operators must wear an approved bicycle helmet at all times.

SAMPLE LABEL:
THIS VEHICLE IS A POWER
ASSISTED BICYCLE AND
MEETS ALL THE
REQUIREMENTS UNDER
SECTION 2(1) OF THE
CANADA MOTOR VEHICLE
SAFETY REGULATIONS.


CE VÉHICULE EST UNE BICYCLETTE
ASSISTÉE ET RECONTRE LA NORME 2(1)
DU RÈGLEMENT SUR LA SÉCURITÉ
DES VÉHICULES AUTOMOBILES DU CANADA.
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.


Edit: Hold on... I think I was in error about the whole racing part. I just noticed the law states MOTOR VEHICLE. Bikes are vehicles but not motor vehicles. so if you're in Ontario, by all means.... go ahead and race!. W00T!