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Specifi c Riding Requirements
Power-assisted bicycles are treated as bicycles. This means:
• No driver’s licence is required
• No written test is required
• No vehicle registration or license plate is required
• No motor vehicle liability insurance is required
• Operators must be 16 years of age and older
• All persons are required to wear an approved bicycle helmet
• Only electric bicycles that conform to the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act regula-
tions and are labelled as a “power-assisted bicycle” are eligible for the pilot program.
Equipment
A power-assisted bicycle (e-bike):
• 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. The motor is electric,
and is incapable of propelling the cycle at speed of 32km/h or greater on level
ground, without pedaling.
• It must bear label indicating that it is a “Power-Assisted Bicycle.”
Safety Equipment
Power-assisted bicycles will require the same safety equipment as bicycles under the
Highway Traffi c Act:
• Proper lights
• Proper brakes
• Proper bell
Bicycle Helmets
Anyone operating an e-bike will be required to wear an approved bicycle helmet. There will be no age ex-
emptions.
Fines and Penalties
All the set fi nes established for violating rules of the road and equipment standards that apply to bicyclists
would apply to drivers of e-bikes. However, off ences directly related to the pilot program (i.e.; riding an
e-bike under the age of 16 or anyone riding an e-bike without a helmet) would be subject to the higher fi nes
set for pilot projects, ranging from
$250 to $2,500.
Drinking and Driving
Drinking and driving a motor vehicle is a Criminal Code off ence and charges are laid under the Criminal Code
of Canada. Under the Criminal Code, the defi nition of a “motor vehicle” would include an e-bike and anyone
operating an e-bike intoxicated could be charged for impaired driving. If convicted, the off ender would be
subject to the Criminal Code penalties, including a fi ne or jail time, and a driving prohibition. However, under
this pilot regulation, an e-bike would not be a motor vehicle under the Highway Traffi c Act, so penalties for
impaired driving under the Act would not apply.
Summary of Contents for Hamilton
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