Regulation - Minister
The Future of Electric Bicycles (“e-bikes”) in Ontario.
Regulation Number(s):
Instrument Type:
Regulation - Minister
Bill or Act:
Highway Traffic Act
Summary of Proposal:
On 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.
On April 23, 2009, Bill 126, Road Safety Act, 2009, received Royal Assent. Bill 126 included amendments to the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) definition of "bicycle" to include power-assisted bicycles (i.e., "e-bikes") and to clarify that e-bikes must have operable pedals attached and must be capable of being propelled only by muscular power. The current pilot’s minimum age of 16 and the requirement that everyone operating/riding an e-bike must wear a helmet is also reflected in the legislation, as well as a Ministerial regulation-making power.
Before the pilot expires on October 3, 2009, the ministry is proposing a regulation that would further define operating and equipment requirements to address safety concerns associated with e-bikes.
For details of the Ministry’s proposal, please see attached. We invite you to submit your comments on the proposed changes. These will be taken into consideration, only with stakeholder comments received at a recent consultation session, in formulating the regulation.
An information notice of this proposal has also been posted on the Environmental Registry at the following link:
http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTA2ODY3&statusId=MTYwMzY2&language=en
On April 23, 2009, Bill 126, Road Safety Act, 2009, received Royal Assent. Bill 126 included amendments to the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) definition of "bicycle" to include power-assisted bicycles (i.e., "e-bikes") and to clarify that e-bikes must have operable pedals attached and must be capable of being propelled only by muscular power. The current pilot’s minimum age of 16 and the requirement that everyone operating/riding an e-bike must wear a helmet is also reflected in the legislation, as well as a Ministerial regulation-making power.
Before the pilot expires on October 3, 2009, the ministry is proposing a regulation that would further define operating and equipment requirements to address safety concerns associated with e-bikes.
For details of the Ministry’s proposal, please see attached. We invite you to submit your comments on the proposed changes. These will be taken into consideration, only with stakeholder comments received at a recent consultation session, in formulating the regulation.
An information notice of this proposal has also been posted on the Environmental Registry at the following link:
http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTA2ODY3&statusId=MTYwMzY2&language=en
Further Information:
Electric Bicycle Proposal
Environmental Registry
Proposal Number:
09-MTO006
Posting Date:
June 18, 2009
Comments Due Date:
July 9, 2009
Contact Address:
Road Safety Policy Office, Vehicles Room 212, Building "A", 1201 Wilson Ave., Downsview, ON, M3M 1J8