Living With E-Bikes in Toronto
Call them electric scooters or use the hip slang “E-Bikes”, they are causing a bit of a stir in Toronto as their increased popularity has more of them popping up on the roads. In order to educate electric scooter drivers about the rules of the road, the Toronto Police Department is launching an educational campaign.
Dave Miller, Toronto's ex-mayor, helped to make bicycles a popular way to commute, an alternative to hours long commutes into the downtown core using polluting cars. Torontonians are turning to bicycle commuting, in part thanks to Miller's legacy of cycle-friendly routes to the downtown core.
The introduction of electric bikes, perhaps better termed electric scooters for their increased bulk, is causing a bit of a stir on Toronto streets. There are many who want to be environmentally friendly, however do not want to end up at work smelly and drenched from the commute to work, particularly carrying heavy backpacks over their shoulders which just increases the back sweat factor. Riding an electric scooter allows commuters to preserve their ecological philosophies while not having to deal with some of the discomfort of bicycle commuting, especially during a summer heatwave.
Electric scooters are nearly silent, especially compared to engine driven mopeds. Since they get their energy from a battery pack rather than the gas tank, there are no smelly fumes or polluting exhaust. E-bikes are much lower in performance than mopeds, scooters or motorcycles, but they are should not be treated the same as a traditional bicycle.
Toronto police do not think so. There have been a few accidents and several near misses, mostly involving mis-use of bicycle lanes and misunderstanding of the rules of the road.
Electric bikes are not allowed to use bike lanes if they are running under battery power. As long as the electric motor is turned off and the electric bike is moving under pedal power it is OK in the bike lane. Once the motor is engaged, it is a motorized vehicle and must run in the car lanes.
Common sense tells us that everyone on less than four wheels should wear a helmet, but normal bikes get to decide. They are requires at all times on electric bikes.
Riding on the sidewalks, like riders of traditional bicycles, is absolutely prohibited. The temptation to jump over the curb and weave in and out of walking traffic affects both traditional bike riders and E-bikers. It might be OK to ride on the side walk if you are a skilled and cautious enough rider to avoid hitting or scaring pedestrians, but that won't stop the Toronto cops from handing you a $400 ticket! Parents will be relieved that kids get a break, but if the bike has wheels that are more than 24cm in diameter, sidewalk riding is forbidden.
The Toronto Police plan to keep their focus on electric scooters until the end of August. The idea behind the campaign is to ensure that E-bikers are not driving recklessly, and that they are aboard mechanically sound machines. Drivers are encouraged to learn the rules of the road if they are driving an electric scooter. Keep you bike in good shape, always wear your helmet, and respect those who you share the road with. Ride safe and have fun, Toronto.
Dave Miller, Toronto's ex-mayor, helped to make bicycles a popular way to commute, an alternative to hours long commutes into the downtown core using polluting cars. Torontonians are turning to bicycle commuting, in part thanks to Miller's legacy of cycle-friendly routes to the downtown core.
The introduction of electric bikes, perhaps better termed electric scooters for their increased bulk, is causing a bit of a stir on Toronto streets. There are many who want to be environmentally friendly, however do not want to end up at work smelly and drenched from the commute to work, particularly carrying heavy backpacks over their shoulders which just increases the back sweat factor. Riding an electric scooter allows commuters to preserve their ecological philosophies while not having to deal with some of the discomfort of bicycle commuting, especially during a summer heatwave.
Electric scooters are nearly silent, especially compared to engine driven mopeds. Since they get their energy from a battery pack rather than the gas tank, there are no smelly fumes or polluting exhaust. E-bikes are much lower in performance than mopeds, scooters or motorcycles, but they are should not be treated the same as a traditional bicycle.
Toronto police do not think so. There have been a few accidents and several near misses, mostly involving mis-use of bicycle lanes and misunderstanding of the rules of the road.
Electric bikes are not allowed to use bike lanes if they are running under battery power. As long as the electric motor is turned off and the electric bike is moving under pedal power it is OK in the bike lane. Once the motor is engaged, it is a motorized vehicle and must run in the car lanes.
Common sense tells us that everyone on less than four wheels should wear a helmet, but normal bikes get to decide. They are requires at all times on electric bikes.
Riding on the sidewalks, like riders of traditional bicycles, is absolutely prohibited. The temptation to jump over the curb and weave in and out of walking traffic affects both traditional bike riders and E-bikers. It might be OK to ride on the side walk if you are a skilled and cautious enough rider to avoid hitting or scaring pedestrians, but that won't stop the Toronto cops from handing you a $400 ticket! Parents will be relieved that kids get a break, but if the bike has wheels that are more than 24cm in diameter, sidewalk riding is forbidden.
The Toronto Police plan to keep their focus on electric scooters until the end of August. The idea behind the campaign is to ensure that E-bikers are not driving recklessly, and that they are aboard mechanically sound machines. Drivers are encouraged to learn the rules of the road if they are driving an electric scooter. Keep you bike in good shape, always wear your helmet, and respect those who you share the road with. Ride safe and have fun, Toronto.