(Cycle Toronto executive director Michael Longfield discussing proposed provincial regulations for e-bikes on The Rundown. Image: TVO)
E-bikes have been a game-changer on Toronto streets. Unfortunately, provincial and federal regulations haven't kept up, leaving the city to manage the confusion and consequences with limited tools to respond.
Cycle Toronto supports the Ontario Ministry of Transportation's proposed regulations to clearly differentiate between so-called "power-assisted vehicles," including Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes, and "motor-assisted vehicles," including e-mopeds and low-speed motorcycles. We believe these changes would provide better clarity for industry and consumers. Our recommendation to the City of Toronto would be to update existing by-laws to allow all "power-assisted vehicles" in cycling infrastructure while excluding "motor-assisted vehicles."
The lack of mandatory battery safety standards, such as UL 2849 and UL 2271 certification, remains the biggest public health and safety risk posed by these vehicles.
Read our submission on Modernizing Ontario’s Framework for Power-Assisted Bicycles (E-Bikes) ERO number 026-0422:
Cycle Toronto is a member-supported charity working to make Toronto a healthier and more vibrant city.
After extensive consultations with stakeholders, Cycle Toronto is in strong support of the proposed two-class definition for power-assisted bicycles (e-bikes) with one crucial exception: the 120 kg maximum unladen weight for Class 2 throttle e-bikes is excessive and actually undermines the attempts to meaningfully differentiate between e-bikes and larger moped and motorcycle-style vehicles.
While we approve of the explicit inclusion of throttles as power-assisted vehicles, we don't understand the use-case for a throttle-style vehicle to exceed 55 kg (the proposed limit for Class 1) let alone approach 120 kg and still be considered a bicycle.
Even most consumer e-cargo bikes including models from Larry vs. Harry, Tern, Urban Arrow, and Riese & Müller are under 55 kg unladen.
Cycle Toronto's recommended amendment would be either:
- cap the limit at 55 kg for both classes, while heavier e-cargo bikes continue to be permitted through the provincial pilot program, or
- swap the limits so a Class 2 bike with throttle has a maximum weight of 55 kg, and a Class 1 bike requiring pedalling has a maximum weight of 120 kg.
The second option (swapping the limits) would continue to permit even the biggest e-cargo bikes and trikes being imported for commercial retail from Europe, as those bikes are Class 1 and have smaller 250W motors per EU guidelines.
Swapping the weights to 120 kg for Class 1 and 55 kg for Class 2 would also create a more meaningful difference between the two classes. We are confident this would fully close the current loopholes the proposed regulations seek to address.
Otherwise, Cycle Toronto fully supports the other proposals for power-assisted vehicles including the requirement for functional hand cranks or foot pedals, 32 km/h speed limit, 500W motor, adjustable operator saddle, 16 minimum operator age, no licensing or registration required, and allowing passengers.
We also welcome the 12-month education period before enforcement kicks in, which is a reasonable timeline for retailers, app-based delivery companies and their workers, and the general public.
Finally, we urge you to continue to work with your Federal counterparts to ensure strict battery safety standards are mandatory for all electric power-assisted and motor-assisted vehicles.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
See our presentation to Infrastructure and Environment Committee.
