Canada's E-Bike Options
Get to know Electric Bikes
By adding a battery, electric motor and controller to a conventional bike, you have created an electric bicycle. These electric bikes can be peddled like a normal bicycle, but when the motor is turned on, it can coast along much like a small moped or scooter, but without giving off the exhaust or pollutants, as it is battery operated. you will enjoy a silent ride because there is no buzzing engine like a Vespa or motorcycle.
But How Fast Are They?
Most electric bikes can easily do 30 kph. Know Canada's rules of the road for Electric Bikes . This is where it seems that a lot of electric bike users in Canada become a bit lost. Some special regulations apply to E-bikes, such as:
• Helmets must be worn with electric bikes at all times
• Top speed is set at 30 km per hour
• When using the electric motor (not the pedals) you cannot use the bicycle lanes - you must use the car lanes. If you are caught powering in a Toronto bike lane you can face a $305 fine.
• Motor-less bicycle rules apply when you are just pedalling
• The largest motor allowed on and electric bicycle is 500 watts, any bigger will put your bike in a different vehicle class
Why ride an Electric bike?
Moving from point A to point B with little or no sweat and effort is the best thing about electric bikes in Canada. Commuting on a regular bike is great, until you show up at the office a sweaty mess and there are no showers. Electric bicycles are great in that they give you the option of getting your blood pumping but the motor allows you to moderate your effort so that you are not sweaty when you are finished your cycle to work.
Conventional bikes are unseen or ignored by motorists, but e-bikes are just enough bigger with safety features like side-view mirrors that riders can feel more secure. They are environmentally friendly in that the motors are battery operated and therefore do not give off toxic emissions into the environment. The silent propulsion mean riders have the advantages of a scooter or moped without noise or pollution. Currently there is no drivers test or licensing required to own and ride an electric bicycle in Canada, so they are a much simpler alternative to a Scooter or Vespa. Anyone who can ride a bike can get on and go!
Available Electric Bike Types
There are many variations between the different electric bikes sold by different companies in Canada. Each builder tries to make the most efficient E-bike they can, but each defines efficiency differently. Some are load carriers and others are speed demons.
Your electric bike choice can be as much about personal style as it is efficient transport. Whatever your preferences, there is bound to be an electric bike for you.
By adding a battery, electric motor and controller to a conventional bike, you have created an electric bicycle. These electric bikes can be peddled like a normal bicycle, but when the motor is turned on, it can coast along much like a small moped or scooter, but without giving off the exhaust or pollutants, as it is battery operated. you will enjoy a silent ride because there is no buzzing engine like a Vespa or motorcycle.
But How Fast Are They?
Most electric bikes can easily do 30 kph. Know Canada's rules of the road for Electric Bikes . This is where it seems that a lot of electric bike users in Canada become a bit lost. Some special regulations apply to E-bikes, such as:
• Helmets must be worn with electric bikes at all times
• Top speed is set at 30 km per hour
• When using the electric motor (not the pedals) you cannot use the bicycle lanes - you must use the car lanes. If you are caught powering in a Toronto bike lane you can face a $305 fine.
• Motor-less bicycle rules apply when you are just pedalling
• The largest motor allowed on and electric bicycle is 500 watts, any bigger will put your bike in a different vehicle class
Why ride an Electric bike?
Moving from point A to point B with little or no sweat and effort is the best thing about electric bikes in Canada. Commuting on a regular bike is great, until you show up at the office a sweaty mess and there are no showers. Electric bicycles are great in that they give you the option of getting your blood pumping but the motor allows you to moderate your effort so that you are not sweaty when you are finished your cycle to work.
Conventional bikes are unseen or ignored by motorists, but e-bikes are just enough bigger with safety features like side-view mirrors that riders can feel more secure. They are environmentally friendly in that the motors are battery operated and therefore do not give off toxic emissions into the environment. The silent propulsion mean riders have the advantages of a scooter or moped without noise or pollution. Currently there is no drivers test or licensing required to own and ride an electric bicycle in Canada, so they are a much simpler alternative to a Scooter or Vespa. Anyone who can ride a bike can get on and go!
Available Electric Bike Types
There are many variations between the different electric bikes sold by different companies in Canada. Each builder tries to make the most efficient E-bike they can, but each defines efficiency differently. Some are load carriers and others are speed demons.
Your electric bike choice can be as much about personal style as it is efficient transport. Whatever your preferences, there is bound to be an electric bike for you.