Alberta, Canada — New regulations as of July 1, 2009 will allow people to ride power-assisted bicycles without needing a licence, insurance or registration. Riders will have to wear a helmet that is approved by the Department of Transportation.
Originally, because eBikes weighted 40 kilograms, they were too heavy to qualify as non-licensed bicycles.
The bikes had no problem in the rest of Canada, but in Alberta, any vehicle that weighed more than 35 kilograms and traveled faster than 35 kilometers per hour was considered a moped. And moped riders had to be licensed. Unlicensed e-bike owners were fined.
These regulations added about $1,000 to the cost of the eBike, which are imported from China. The bikes sell for between $1,899 and $2,600.
Alberta’s new regulations stipulate power or power-assisted bicycles have a top speed of 32 km/h and an electric motor with a maximum power of 500 watts. Weight is not restricted, no driver’s license is required and the minimum driving age is 12. No insurance or registration is needed but a motorcycle helmet is required.
eBikes take between two and four hours to charge and can be charged every day at a cost of five or 10 cents.
July 9th, 2009 at 5:24 am
Hi,
I ride an electric scooter to work and I bought mine from http://www.elecbikeco.com I absolutely love it… once I get to work I recharge it and ride home.
Thanks
Ahmet
July 26th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
I’ve been riding an e-cruiser from e-cycle.ca for 2 years in Calgary. New legislations will encourage more use of this great option for commuting.
July 31st, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Your article is very misleading. Prior to July 1,2009 Alberta had very liberal power bicyle laws – no license, safety test or registration – only a bike helmet required (limits 50cc or 750w, 35km/h, 35kg). See http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/Content/docType45/Production/MopedPowerBikes.pdf
NOW ALL SMALL GAS PABs (Even 25cc)become “Mopeds” and need licensing – this may preclude homebuilts. This is unfortunate since there are now available low pollution propane gas operated 4 cycle engines ideal for a bike – and no running out of electric power.
The law does open it up for a non-motorcycle “Moped” class for 14 yr olds.
And I don’t know how the legislation “adds $1000″ – Canadian Tire has sold e-bikes for less than $500.
Electric bikes are great but all these green types forget the pollution generated in making and disposing of a battery. Most are only good for a few hundred recharges – and that only if you take good care of it – let it sit for a year and it’s toast.
It is evident that we are being legilslated to death.
August 19th, 2009 at 10:08 am
I have a BionX PL-350 on my bike.. I love it because I chose the type of bike I wanted, then put the BionX onto it.
It’s made in Canada, and no other system performs like it.
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:40 am
defeniately bookmarked
January 13th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Awesome blog, great!