The Rome Electric Bicycle User’s Guide
TPS Training Bulletin
Page 24
Specific Riding Requirements
Power-assisted bicycles are treated as bicycles. This means:
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No driver's licence is required
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No written test is required
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No vehicle registration or license plate is required
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No motor vehicle liability insurance is required
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Operators must be 16 years of age and older
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All persons are required to wear an approved bicycle helmet
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Only electric bicycles that conform to the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act regulations
and are labelled as a "power-assisted bicycle" are eligible for the pilot. program
Equipment
A power-assisted bicycle (e-bike):
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Has steering handlebars and is equipped with pedals
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Is designed to be propelled primarily by muscular power and to travel on not more
than three wheels
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Has a motor that has a power output rating of 500W or less. The motor is electric,
and is incapable of propelling the cycle at speed of 32km/h or greater on level ground,
without pedaling.
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It must bear label indicating that it is a "Power-Assisted Bicycle".
Safety Equipment
Power-assisted bicycles will require the same safety equipment as bicycles under the
Highway Traffic Act:
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Proper
lights
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Proper
brakes
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Proper
bell
Bicycle Helmets
Anyone operating an e-bike will be required to wear an approved bicycle helmet. There will
be no age exemptions.
Fines and Penalties
All the set fines established for violating rules of the road and equipment standards that
apply to bicyclists would apply to drivers of e-bikes. However, offences directly related to
the pilot program (i.e.; riding an e-bike under the age of 16 or anyone riding an e-bike
without a helmet) would be subject to the higher fines set for pilot projects, ranging from
$250 to $2,500.
Drinking and Driving
Drinking and driving a motor vehicle is a Criminal Code offence and charges are laid under
the Criminal Code of Canada. Under the Criminal Code, the definition of a "motor vehicle"
would include an e-bike and anyone operating an e-bike intoxicated could be charged for
impaired driving. If convicted, the offender would be subject to the Criminal Code penalties,
including a fine or jail time, and a driving prohibition. However, under this pilot regulation,
an e-bike would not be a motor vehicle under the Highway Traffic Act, so penalties for
impaired driving under the Act would not apply.
