Considering that gas prices are rising all the time and going green is on everyone's mind, one way to take care of your household finances is by buying an e-bike. Use it as often as you can in the summer, autumn, and springtime. It's an easy way to get around in some busy cities in Canada, where parking is limited and sitting in highway traffic for hours is typical.

Before you put your bicycle helmet on to venture out on your e-bike, you need to read up and understand the various e-bike road laws in your province. We have given you a brief overview below of all 10 provinces that allow e-bikes or electric power-assisted bicycles. 

Alberta

Alberta classifies e-bikes the same as the federal definition of power-assisted bicycles (PABs). As with other provinces, they have modified the rules to fit their specific needs. Here are some specific things to keep in mind if you are riding about in Edmonton:

• Maximum horsepower for an e-bike is 0.671 or 500 W
• The maximum speed allowed is 32 km/hr (20 mph)
• Operators can be 12 years of age or older
• Driver's license, registration, or insurance isn't required
• A helmet is mandatory
• Passengers get permitted if the e-bike comes with a seat for a passenger

In most provinces, municipalities place their own regulations with regard to the use of PABs. For example, they might not be allowed in certain parks or trails, if deemed so by that municipality. 

Ontario

Ontario was rather slow in legalizing e-bikes or power-assisted bicycles (PABs) for use on the roads, but they did finally do it. Now, PAB riders need to follow the rules and regulations of all the other bicycles on the road. 

Here are some e-bikes Ontario laws to keep in mind when riding in Toronto or Ottawa:

• E-bikes reaching speeds up to 32 km/hr can share the road with other vehicles 
• Operators must wear an approved bicycle helmet
• Operators must be 16 years or older
• Maximum weight of the bicycle not exceeding 120 kilograms
• Not permitted on the 400-series highways or expressways

Remember that you can be fined if you are caught riding around on an e-bike without an approved helmet, as it's an offense in the legislation. Also, keep in mind that bicycle-style PABs are allowed in most provinces' bike lanes, but a scooter-style might not be. 

British Columbia

In BC, the term used is motor-assisted bicycles (MABs). These are defined differently from mopeds or scooters which are called 'limited-speed' motorcycles. Here are some specific rules to keep in mind, if you ride around in Vancouver:

• Maximum horsepower for an e-bike is 0.671 or 500 W
• The maximum speed allowed is 32 km/hr (20 mph)
• Operators must wear an approved bicycle helmet
• Operators must be 16 years or older
• Driver's license, registration, or insurance isn't required

Also, the engine must disengage if or when the operator applies the brakes, stops pedaling, or releases the accelerator control. 

Again, you will have to follow the rules for each municipality as they might be different from the provincial regulations regarding MABs. Before venturing into a park or a trail, make sure that MABs are allowed in there.

Saskatchewan

Power-assisted bicycles, commonly known as e-bikes or electric bicycles, means any two- or three-wheeled bicycle that:

• is equipped with an electric assist motor that is no larger than 500 watts
• is designed to be propelled with the combination of muscular power and power assist from the electric motor
• cannot be operated at a speed of greater than 32 km/h (20 mph) on any level service

• Driver’s licence required: No
• Age restriction: 14 years of age or older
• Registration required: No (special bicycle sticker may be required by city)
• Helmets: Operator requires an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet
• Operation rules: Must be driven in accordance with the rules of the road under The Traffic Safety Act normally applicable to a bicycle and cannot be operated in any area restricted by municipal bylaw
• Any gas-powered cycles, electric cycles larger than 500 watts or without pedals are considered motorcycles and all motorcycle licensing requirements and equipment standards apply.

Quebec

Similar to other provinces, power-assisted bicycles get classified similarly to standard pedal bicycles. One thing to note, the rider age for PABs is different in Quebec, starting from 14 years of age. 

If the rider is younger than 18 years, then they will need a scooter or moped license to ride an e-bike on the road. Here are some other rules to keep in mind when riding in Montreal:

• Maximum horsepower for an e-bike is 0.671 or 500 W
• The maximum speed allowed is 32 km/hr (20 mph)
• Operators must wear an approved bicycle helmet

Manitoba

E-bikes have specific regulations in Manitoba that you need to follow. Here are some of them:

• The bike can't have more than 3 wheels touching the ground
• Functioning pedals are mandatory
• Maximum horsepower for an e-bike is 0.671 or 500 W
• The maximum speed allowed is 32 km/hr (20 mph)
• Operators must be 14 years of age or older

All rules regarding riding a bicycle in Manitoba also apply. 

New Brunswick

If you wish to drive an e-bike on the roads of New Brunswick, they need to have a headlight for the nighttime, have wheel rims larger than 9 inches, and a seat needs to be at least 27 inches above the ground. 

Here are some electric bike laws to follow when operating one in New Brunswick:

• Maximum horsepower for an e-bike is 0.671 or 500 W
• The maximum speed allowed is 32 km/hr (20 mph)
• All rules applying to bicycles apply

Make sure that the e-bike you purchase in New Brunswick has the power-assisted bicycle label affixed in a conspicuous location in both official languages stating that the vehicle is a power-assisted bicycle as defined in the regulations under the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Newfoundland

Similar to other provinces, e-bike operators need to follow all federal legislation regarding PABs. Some of these are:

• Functioning pedals are mandatory (the engine must disengage when the operator stops pedaling)
• Maximum horsepower for an e-bike is 0.671 or 500 W
• The maximum speed allowed is 32 km/hr (20 mph)
• Operators must wear an approved bicycle helmet

An accelerator controller is permitted. 

Nova Scotia

Again, in Nova Scotia, PABs get classified similarly to standard pedal bicycles. Here are the e-bike laws to follow:

• Operators must wear an approved bicycle helmet with a chin strap engaged
• Maximum horsepower for an e-bike is 0.671 or 500 W
• The maximum speed allowed is 32 km/hr (20 mph)

Also, if the e-bike has two wheels, at least one must be 350 mm in diameter. If it has four wheels, at least 2 of the wheels must be 350 mm in diameter. 

Prince Edward Island

To operate a power-assisted bicycle on Prince Edward Island’s public roads, Confederation Trail and Active Transportation Pathway the following vehicle safety and operator requirements are in place:

• Power-assisted Bicycles must not weigh more than 120 kg (weight of bike and battery).
• All operators must be at least 16 years of age.
• All operators must wear an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet.
• All electrical terminals must be completely covered.
• The minimum wheel diameter is 406.4 mm.
• No modifications to the motor to allow it to exceed a power output greater than 500W and a speed greater than 32 km/h.

The battery and motor must be securely fastened to the vehicle to prevent them from moving while the e-bike is operating.

E-bike Road Laws Vary From Province to Province

If you drive from one province to another in a motor vehicle, you have to ensure that you keep the new province's road laws in mind, since they might be different (even if slightly). The same applies to e-bikes or power-assisted bicycles (PABs). So keep e-bike road laws in mind when traversing the roads.

Interested in purchasing an e-bike? Contact 171 Electric Bike Company to get started. We have many locations in Ontario to choose from.