Electrical assist bikes or power-assist bicycles have become increasingly popular in all areas of the world. You consistently see them on the roads, parks, and on mountain trails. However, as more people are purchasing them, the dangers around electric bikes increase as well. To ensure everyone is safe when electric bikes or ebikes are involved, the Canadian government has created some rules and regulation, however, many provinces have slightly different regulations which we will discuss in this post.
In Canada, the technical term for ebikes is “assist bicycles” or “power-assist bicycles” which is legally defined under the Canadian Federal Legislation. These type of ebikes do not include bikes with internal combustion engines like the traditional motorbike or moped. They fall under a different category and are subject to different laws.
Since 2000, Canada’s Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations have defined assist bicycles or power-assisted bicycles as a separate category from combustion engine vehicles which require a license to operate. E-bikes are currently defined as a two- or three-wheeled bicycles which operate with pedals and a battery-powered motor.
A power-assisted bicycle may be imported and exported freely within Canada without the same restrictions, taxes, or levies placed on automobiles, motorcycles and other combustion engine vehicles. Since some of the provinces have slightly different regulations surrounding electric bikes we have divided the information to make it easily accessible.
Click the provinces below to learn more about provincial regulations:
Electric bicycles must not have an electric motor that is more powerful than 500 watts and not be able to travel faster than 32.km/h. They also must have fully operable pedals which means the engine must disengage when the operator stops pedaling. However, they are allowed to have an accelerator controller. Neither a driver’s license, vehicle registration, or insurance is required. The rider must wear a bicycle helmet.
Description
Combine bicycle pedal power with electric motor assistance.
To qualify, must be a Motor Assisted Cycle as defined in the Motor Vehicle Act and meet Motor Assisted Cycle Regulation criteria.
Power
Electric motor of 500 watts or less and bicycle-style pedals for manual propulsion.
Maximum speed
32 km/h on level ground without pedalling.
Vehicle registration, licensing and insurance
None required. (Insurance may be available under a homeowner’s policy.)
Driver
No driver’s license is needed.
You must be at least 16 years old.
Helmet
Must wear a bike helmet.
Rules of the road
Subject to the same rights and duties as the driver of a motor vehicle, such as obeying all traffic lights and control devices.
As well, bicycle safety rules should be followed.
See Section 183 of the Motor Vehicle Act: Rights and duties of operator of cycle.
Manufacturer’s label
As a condition of initial sale, all commercially manufactured MACs must have a label stating that the vehicle is a “power-assisted bicycle.”
Just as with most other provinces, an electric bicycle must not be more powerful than 500 watts and have a maximum speed of 32 km/h. The ebike must have fully operable pedals which means they cannot be primarily battery controlled. No driver’s license, vehicle insurance, or vehicle registration is required. Drivers must be 12 years of age or older and are required to wear a motorcycle helmet which is different than your standard bicycle helmet. A passenger is permitted only if the pedal assisted bike is equipped with a designated seat for a passenger.
On July 1, 2009, new definitions for power bicycles and mopeds will come into effect in Alberta. The definitions are being updated within the Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulation to be consistent with federal regulations that define them as a power-assisted bicycle and a limited speed motorcycle. However, the terms “power bicycle” and “moped” will still be used in Alberta.
The changes are being made because Alberta’s definitions are more restrictive than the federal definitions and don’t allow for the types of vehicles which are being sold in the province. Harmonizing the federal and provincial definitions for these vehicles will eliminate uncertainty in consumer transactions and add clarity to operator and vehicle licensing requirements.
Power Bicycles
- Electric motor with a maximum power of 500 watts
- Top speed of 32 km/h
- No weight restriction
- Includes power-assisted bicycles
Ontario is one of the last provinces in Canada to legalize electric bicycles for road use, even though they have been federally regulated in Canada as early as 2001. Electric assist bicycles can have a maximum speed of 32 km/h with 500 watts of power. The ebike can have a maximum weight of 120 kilograms and must require a maximum braking distance of nine meters.
Also, riders must be at least 16 years of age, wear a helmet and obey traffic laws. Municipalities are also are legally allowed to restrict where e-bikes may be used and can ban certain types.
What is an e-bike
E-bikes in Ontario must have:
- steering handlebars
- working pedals
- an electric motor not exceeding 500 Watts
- a maximum speed of 32 km/h
- a maximum weight of 120 kg
- a permanent label from the manufacturer in both English and French stating that your e-bike conforms to the federal definition of a power-assisted bicycle
It is illegal to modify your e-bike’s motor to make it more powerful or to increase the speed of your e-bike.
What e-bike riders need
You don’t need a driver’s licence, vehicle permit or licence plate to ride an e-bike, but you do need to:
- be 16 or older
- wear an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet
- keep your e-bike in good working order
You also need to follow the same rules of the road as regular cyclists.
Cycling Skills: Ontario’s Guide to Safe Cycling (PDF – 3.39 MB)
Where to ride an e-bike
You can ride your e-bike on most roads and highways where conventional bikes are permitted, with some exceptions.
You can’t ride your 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
- on municipal roads, including sidewalks, where bicycles are banned under municipal by-laws
- on municipal roads, sidewalks, bike paths, bike trails or bike lanes where e-bikes are prohibited
In Manitoba, legislation is a little different than other provinces. Electric Bikes can be classified as a scooter or a moped vehicle, depending on the amount of power of the engine and its top speed. If the engine on the ebike is less than 50cc and it cannot exceed 50 km/h. The rider is not required to have a motorcycle licence or permit; however the driver must be sixteen years old must be enrolled to acquire a Class 5 driver’s licence.
When riding a power-assisted bicycle, a helmet must be worn.
Helmet required: power-assisted bicycles- No person shall ride on or operate a power-assisted bicycle on a highway or bicycle facility unless he or she is wearing a properly fitted and fastened protective helmet.
The operator of a power-assisted bicycle must be 14 years of age or older.
Minimum operator age: power-assisted bicycles- No person shall operate a power-assisted bicycle on a highway or bicycle facility unless he or she is 14 years of age or older.
Always use hand signals when turning and stopping to communicate actions to motorists and ensure intentions are visible and predictable.
The driver of a left-hand drive motor vehicle or the operator of a bicycle, power-assisted bicycle, moped or mobility vehicle giving a hand signal shall do so from the left side of the vehicle.
Cyclists and motorists should share the road with respect, courtesy and caution. Cyclists should ride as close to the curb as practicable.
a. as closely as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway, unless the highway is designated for traffic in one direction and has three or more traffic lanes; or
b. as closely as practicable to the right- or left-hand edge or curb of the roadway, if the highway is designated for traffic in one direction and has three or more traffic lanes.
It is dangerous and illegal to ride alongside other cyclists. Cyclists should always ride single file leaving a safe distance between riders.
Operation in single file – No person shall operate a bicycle or power-assisted bicycle on a highway beside a moped, mobility vehicle, bicycle or power-assisted bicycle that is operating in the same traffic lane.
A white light at the front of a bicycle and a red or amber reflector at the rear of a bicycle are required. Bicycles with a red light at the rear, rather than the required reflector, are much more visible to motorists and other road users.
(1) Lamps and reflectors on bicycles- Subject to subsection (3), a bicycle or power-assisted bicycle shall be equipped with
a. A headlamp at the front that casts a white light: and
b. A lamp or reflector at the back that casts a red or amber light or reflection and has a surface area of not less than 25cm2.
Here is MPI’s link to Ebike’s Laws : https://www.mpi.mb.ca/en/Rd-Safety/Cycling/pages/laws.aspx
In New Brunswick, the electric bike must follow all federal guidelines and legislation however there are a few unique differences. Electric bicycles must not have an electric motor that is more powerful than 500 watts and cannot travel faster than 32.km/h. They also must have fully operable pedals which means the engine must disengage when the operator stops pedaling. However, they are allowed to have an accelerator controller. The wheel rims of the electric bike must be larger than 22 cm and the seat must be at least 68 cm off the ground. Also, the driver must have a headlight if they operate it at night.
Cyclist using N.B. roads have all of the rights as any driven vehicle and is subject to all applicable duties.
Cyclist must use a regular attached seat while on N.B. roads.
The number of person(s) on a bicycle on N.B. roads are limited to the number it was designed and equipped.
All cyclist must use an approved helmet with chin strap properly adjusted and fastened under the chin, at all times while cycling on N.B. roads
Cyclist may not use N.B. road(s) when a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a road.
Bicycles must be equipped with an approved forward facing white color light and a rear-facing red reflector for night time use on roads. A rear-facing approved red color light may be used WITH the red reflector
Electric power bicycles have two classifications in Saskatchewan. An electric assist bicycle can have either two or three wheels and can use pedals and a motor simultaneously. A power cycle uses either pedals and motor; or motor only. Both must have engines with a 500-watt-power limit and must not be able to exceed 32 km/h. The ebike does not require a licence and helmets are required. Both are treated as regular bicycles in regards to local bylaws.
Power-assisted bicycles means any two- or three-wheeled bicycle that:
- is equipped with an electric assist motor that is no larger than 500 watts
- is designed to be propelled with the combination of muscular power and power assist from the electric motor
- cannot be operated at a speed of greater than 32 km/h (20 mph) on any level service
- Driver’s licence required: No
- Age restriction: 14 years of age or older
- Registration required: No (special bicycle sticker may be required by city)
- Helmets: Operator requires an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet
- Operation rules: Must be driven in accordance with the rules of the road under The Traffic Safety Act normally applicable to a bicycle and cannot be operated in any area restricted by municipal bylaw
Any gas-powered cycles, electric cycles larger than 500 watts or without pedals are considered motorcycles and all motorcycle licensing requirements and equipment standards apply.
As with most other provinces, the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act defines a power-assisted bicycle as a bicycle with an electric motor with 500 watts or less and a maximum speed of 32km/h. Electric bikes are permitted on trails or the road as long as you wear an approved bicycle helmet. They do not have to meet the conditions defined within the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations for a motorcycle, but they do have to comply with federal legislation that defines Power Assisted Bicycles.
In PEI, ebikes are currently classified as “Motor Assisted Pedal Bicycles” and are treated similarly to mopeds. Because of their distinct classification, there are a lot of rules and regulations around them. For example, an ebike must be registered and riders need a licence. Drives also need to be at least sixteen years old and wear a helmet.
RULES OF THE ROAD FOR CYCLISTS
| DO | DO NOT |
| • keep both your hands on the handlebars except when making a hand signal;
• keep both your feet on the pedals; • ride in a single file except when overtaking and passing another cycle; • make sure your bike is equipped with at least one headlamp (but not more than two), one red tail lamp and at least one red reflector mounted on the rear of the cycle when cycling at night; |
• ride on a sidewalk;
• ride on a highway where signs prohibit bicycles; • ride the wrong way on a one-way street. There are no traffic signs in place for wrong way drivers; • carry more people at one time than the cycle was designed for; or • hold onto or attach the cycle to any other moving vehicle. |
In Quebec, power-assisted bicycles do not have to meet the conditions defined by the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations but they do have to comply with federal regulations that define Power Assisted Bicycles. The Quebec Highway Safety Code defines a power-assisted bicycle as a bicycle with an electric motor with a maximum power of 500 watts and a top speed of 32 km/h. They must also have a compliance label attached to identify the manufacturer. Electric assist bikes are permitted on the road in Quebec. Riders have to be at least fourteen years old to ride an electric bicycle and if they’re under eighteen, they must have a moped or scooter license.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, electric assist bike owners must follow all federal legislation. The ebike motors cannot be more powerful than 500 watts and the ebike’s top speed has to be maximum 32 km/h. Drivers must wear a helmet. They also must have fully operable pedals which means the engine must disengage when the operator stops pedaling. However, they are allowed to have an accelerator controller.
The northern territories are under federal jurisdiction and as such follow all federal legislation. Electric bicycles motors cannot be more powerful than 500 watts and they cannot travel faster than 32.km/h. They also must have fully operable pedals which means the engine must disengage when the operator stops pedaling. However, they are allowed to have an accelerator controller.