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Specifi c Riding Requirements
Power-assisted bicycles are treated as bicycles. This means:
• No driver’s licence is required
• No written test is required
• No vehicle registration or license plate is required
• No motor vehicle liability insurance is required
• Operators must be 16 years of age and older
• All persons are required to wear an approved bicycle helmet
• Only electric bicycles that conform to the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act regula-
tions and are labelled as a “power-assisted bicycle” are eligible for the pilot program.
Equipment
A power-assisted bicycle (scooter):
• Has steering handlebars and is equipped with pedals
• Is designed to be propelled primarily by muscular power and to travel on not
more than three wheels
• 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.
• 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 Tra c Act:
• Proper lights
• Proper brakes
• Proper bell
Bicycle Helmets
Anyone operating an scooter will be required to wear an approved bicycle helmet. There will be no age
exemptions.
Fines and Penalties
All the set nes established for violating rules of the road and equipment standards that apply to bicyclists
would apply to drivers of scooters. However, o ences directly related to the pilot program (i.e.; riding an
scooter under the age of 16 or anyone riding an scooter without a helmet) would be subject to the higher
nes set for pilot projects, ranging from
$250 to $2,500.
Drinking and Driving
Drinking and driving a motor vehicle is a Criminal Code o ence and charges are laid under the Criminal Code
of Canada. Under the Criminal Code, the de nition of a “motor vehicle” would include an scooter and anyone
operating an scooter intoxicated could be charged for impaired driving. If convicted, the o ender would be
subject to the Criminal Code penalties, including a ne or jail time, and a driving prohibition. However, under
this pilot regulation, an scooter would not be a motor vehicle under the Highway Tra c Act, so penalties for
impaired driving under the Act would not apply.
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