The peak for electric bikes in British Columbia is 32 km/h on flat terrain without pedaling. In addition, the electric motor must have 500 watts or less and have bicycle pedals that allow you to drive it manually. In Queensland, the situation is similar to that of Victoria. There are two types of legal motorized bicycles. For the first type, the electric motor must not be able to generate more than 200 watts of power. For the second type, known as “Pedalec”, the vehicle must comply with the European standard for servo-assisted pedal bikes (EN15194). [11] A local government entity responsible for a road or bike path (including the Ministry of Natural Resources in the case of state bike paths) has the authority to restrict the use of electric bikes if: the use is incompatible with the general safety or well-being of others; or the restriction is necessary to fulfil the conditions of the legal agreements on the land on which a cycle path has been built. Maryland defines an “electric bike” as a vehicle that (1) is designed to be powered by human energy using an electric motor, (2) is equipped with fully functional pedals, (3) has two or three wheels, (4) has a motor with a power of 500 watts or less, (5) and can reach a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour on a flat surface, if it is driven by the engine. (Senate Bill 379, approved by the Governor on 5/5/2014, Chapter 294.) [97] This law excludes “electric bike” from the definition of “moped”, “mini-motorized bicycle” and “motor vehicle” and removes the title and insurance requirements for electric bicycles under the current Maryland law. Indian law requires all electric vehicles to be ARAI registered.[47] Vehicles of less than 250 W and a speed of less than 25 km / h do not require certification – so not after the full test process, but must receive an exceptional report from the ARAI.
While more powerful vehicles must go through a complete testing process according to CMVR rules. This can take time and cost money, but ensures a safe and reliable design for electric vehicles. These regulations are not issued by regional transportation offices and drivers are not required to obtain a driver`s license, purchase insurance or wear a helmet. As you will see in the details of the province, most provinces have similar definitions for electric bikes. If you buy one that doesn`t fall under these definitions, there are potential insurance and licensing issues. Your recreational electric bike can be classified as a motorcycle or moped. While enforcement is uneven across the country, enforcement is ongoing. And if you have an accident, there are other liability issues to consider. NOTE: Although we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information here, we have provided links as the information is subject to change. Some of the e-bike laws mentioned here were only updated in 2018 and 2019. Please check local provincial or territorial laws and municipalities to ensure that you are driving legally and safely.
Ebikes-Canada.com is not responsible for any errors, omissions or changes. We will update this page as soon as we become aware of new developments in the laws on electric bikes. Electric bikes, or motorized electric bikes, as they are sometimes called, are limited to 500 watts or less in Nova Scotia. While Albertans do not need a licence, registration or insurance to ride e-bikes, they must be at least 12 years old and wear a bicycle or motorcycle helmet. Minors require the written permission of a parent or guardian and persons under the age of 16 are not allowed to have passengers. Electric bikes must be equipped with a headlight, taillight, reflectors, brakes and a horn. ² While pedal assist would be technically legal on a Class 4 electric bike, bikes classified in this class generally do not have pedal assist and are only gasoline. The British Columbia Regulations also state that an internal combustion engine cannot drive the engine.
All motor and battery components must be fixed so that they do not move while using the electric bike. All electrical terminals must be completely insulated or covered. A bicycle can have a 250W electric motor, provided that the maximum speed is limited to 25 km/h. In addition, the motor can only help instead of replacing the pedaling. [39] Electric motors from 250 to 1000 W can be used with appropriate insurance. On October 22, 2014, PA House of Representatives Bill 573 passed Bill 154, which amends the definition of “pedal cycle” in the PA State Vehicle Code. The “pedal bike” is now defined as a vehicle powered exclusively by human-powered pedals or an electrically assisted “pedal board” (bicycle) (a vehicle weighing at least 100 pounds with two or three wheels more than 11 inches in diameter, manufactured or assembled with an electric motor with a maximum rated power of 750 watts and equipped with pedals and operating springs at speeds of less than 20 mi/ h). This bill allows the use of pedal-assisted bicycles in Pennsylvania that comply with adopted government guidelines. Arkansas does not define electric bikes. The following definition describes an internal combustion engine. Electric bikes have no travel and therefore this law is not technically applicable.
The state defines a “motorized bicycle” as “a bicycle with an automatic transmission and an engine of less than 50cc”. [79] Drivers need either a certificate to drive a motorized bicycle or a motorcycle driver`s licence, motorcycle driver`s licence or category A, B, C or D driver`s licence. No certificate can be issued for drivers under 10 years of age. [80] Quebec: Each province has the authority to set its own age limits for e-bikes, and some also require a permit. For example, Quebec dictates that cyclists can be as young as 14, but if they are under 18, they must have a license to drive a moped or scooter. 15.5. “electrically assisted bicycle” means a two- or three-wheeled device with a fully functional saddle and pedals for human propulsion and an electric motor. For such a device to be considered an electrically assisted bicycle, it must meet the requirements of the federal motor vehicle safety standards under sections 571 et seq. of section 49 C.F.R. and operate in such a way that the electric motor stops or ceases to operate when the brakes are applied.
The electric motor of an electrically assisted bicycle must: Driver`s licence, registration, insurance and license plate requirements do not apply. An electric bike is not a motor vehicle. Laws against drunk driving apply. Additional laws or regulations may apply to the use of electric bikes by any city or county. Electric bikes are considered motorcycles in Hong Kong and therefore require type approval from the Ministry of Transport, just like automobiles. Not all e-bikes available in Hong Kong meet the type approval requirement, and the Ministry of Transport has never issued a type approval for an electric bike, making all e-bikes in Hong Kong virtually illegal. Even if they received type approval, the driver needed a motorcycle license to drive. [34] By the way, Hong Kong has no moped class (and therefore no moped driver`s license), and mopeds are also considered motorcycles.
Since 2000, e-bikes have been defined as a separate category that does not require a license to operate. Electric bikes are currently defined as a two-wheeled bike equipped with an operable handlebar and pedals, a connected electric motor of 500 W or less and a maximum speed capacity of 32 km / h of the motor on flat ground. Electric assistance and other “motorized bicycles”[85] do not need to be inspected, do not require a driver`s license and do not require registration. The vehicle must meet all of the following criteria: a post-mounted seat for each person for which it is designed, two or three wheels that touch the ground, fully functional pedals, wheels with a diameter of at least 16 inches, and an engine that is unable to drive the aircraft at more than 20 mph on flat ground. The driver does not need a driver`s license, but must be at least 16 years old.