Brampton City Council is urging the provincial government to implement licensing for certain types of electric bicycles.
Ontario is reevaluating its e-bike classifications after updates to the Highway Traffic Act and Safer Roads and Communities Act, which includes creating specific classes of e-bikes.
The province is seeking feedback from municipalities on these class definitions, and Brampton has made several suggestions, such as capping the speed of e-bikes at no more than 32 kilometres per hour.
The city is advocating for faster, heavier moped, scooter, or motorcycle-like vehicles to require licensing and insurance while also proposing that e-bike riders be at least 16 years old.
Other recommendations from the city include ensuring e-bikes have a continuous power output of 500 watts or less, come with hand cranks or foot pedals, feature adjustable saddles, and mandate helmet use for all operators.
Brampton officials are also asking the province to lower the maximum weight limit for Class 2 power-assisted bicycles from 120 kilograms “and to require brakes adequate for an operator to safely stop the vehicle within 9 metres even when loaded” in wet and hilly conditions.
These recommendations were presented by Coun. Rowena Santos and received unanimous support from the council on June 3, just days before the province’s consultation period concluded.
The province states that redefining e-bikes in Ontario “offers potential environmental benefits by encouraging a shift from higher-emission travel modes to lower emission alternatives, supporting congestion reduction, improving first and last-mile connections to transit, and enabling the ministry to better respond to technological changes that may promote cleaner transportation options.”
Updating regulations around e-bikes could enhance safety while providing clearer guidelines for riders, businesses, municipalities, and law enforcement. It would also modernize existing rules “to keep pace with a rapidly evolving e-bike market.”
INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies
Last 30 Days: 40,957 Votes
All Time: 1,391,901 Votes
32 VOTES
Source link
Source link
