Admiral Beez
Superstar
Living downtown I invariably see a dozen or so of those e-bikes, styled as Vespa scooters being operated like bicycles weaving in and out of traffic, running red lights and stop signs, no helmets on adult operators, etc.
As a motorcyclists, I have to follow the highway traffic act. If my motorcycle had an electric instead of gas engine, and could not exceed 40-50 kph (which I rarely can when riding downtown), the highway traffic act would not apply.
I think it's time for e-bikes to the treated the same as any other motorcycle. You should need an M class license to ride one, carry insurance and the vehicle should be licensed and plated. Within the next 20 years or so, we'll start to see many "regular" motorcycles moving to electric engines, so might as well deal with the e-bikes now.
I'm fine with electric assist bikes not be licensed or covered under the HTA. But the bikes primary propulsion should be peddle power. If the bike's electric engine can be used without the peddles turning, it's an e-bike and should be regulated.
As a motorcyclists, I have to follow the highway traffic act. If my motorcycle had an electric instead of gas engine, and could not exceed 40-50 kph (which I rarely can when riding downtown), the highway traffic act would not apply.
I think it's time for e-bikes to the treated the same as any other motorcycle. You should need an M class license to ride one, carry insurance and the vehicle should be licensed and plated. Within the next 20 years or so, we'll start to see many "regular" motorcycles moving to electric engines, so might as well deal with the e-bikes now.
I'm fine with electric assist bikes not be licensed or covered under the HTA. But the bikes primary propulsion should be peddle power. If the bike's electric engine can be used without the peddles turning, it's an e-bike and should be regulated.
