By Tim Schewe
Effective on April 5, 2024 our government updated the Motor Assisted Cycle Regulation. The new regulation creates two categories of e-bike, a standard and a light version as well as setting minimum ages for riders using them on the highway.
Standard E-Bike
• Cannot have motors exceeding 500 W continuous power output rating
• Must have a maximum speed of 32 km/h
• Can have either pedal or throttle operated motors which can be disengaged
• Must have brakes which meet braking standards
• Cannot be operated by people under 16 years old on a highway
Light E-Bike
• Cannot have motors exceeding 250 W continuous power output rating
• Must have a maximum speed of 25 km/h
• Are limited to pedal-operated motors (must not have a throttle)
• Must have brakes which meet braking standards
• Cannot be operated by people under 14 years old on a highway
• Cannot be operated by people under 16 years old on a highway if carrying or towing passengers
A light ebike travelling at 25 km/h on a clean, level paved surface must come to a stop within 7.5 metres.
A standard ebike travelling at 32 km/h on a clean, level pave surface must come to a stop within nine metres.
If your electric bicycle does not meet these standards it is considered to be a motor vehicle. If you choose to ride it on the highway you are subject to the requirements for licensing, insurance and motor vehicle standards compliance.
Because the federal government has chosen not to regulate motor assisted cycles the job has been left to the provinces. What is legal in British Columbia may not be legal in other provinces and vice versa.
While collision liability insurance is not required for motor assisted cycles in B.C. it is still something that you may wish to consider buying. If you regularly ride in traffic causing a collision could result in a bill that is much larger than you could easily pay.
Tim Schewe is a retired constable with many years of traffic law enforcement. To comment or learn more, please visit DriveSmartBC.ca