09.18
So a few days ago, I saw an article in The Star about an unfortunate — and unnecessary — accident involving a pair of E-Bike riders and a Toronto Police cruiser. Being an E-Bike rider myself — I ride a Luyuan Condor, sold locally by Mobility Unlimited and its dealers — seeing news like this always gives me an uneasy feeling about the future of these bikes. There has been a lot of controversy, and a lot of debate about where they belong, whether they should be licensed/insured etc, and whether they should even be considered street-legal at all.
I’ll admit I’m a bit biased, since I rely on my Condor as my primary means of transportation. But I really don’t see what the big deal is about e-bikes of any type being on the roads. One of the biggest issues motorists and other cyclists seem to keep bringing up is that they’re too big, too slow, and too quiet. Ok, let’s think here for a minute. All cyclists are supposed to be on the roads, not sidewalks, right? So: the widest point of most bikes is the handlebars, including most e-bikes. The average cyclist certainly doesn’t travel at upwards of 60kph, most are lucky if they can attain half that speed. And too quiet? Okay, I’ll admit that bicycles DO tend to have that “clicky” sound from the spokes on the wheels, but generally by the time you hear it, they’re within a few feet of you anyway. My Condor makes enough noise from the little motor and the creaking of the body, and I have a horn and a good pair of lungs if I really need to get your attention. One point I’ll state, is that e-bikes, particularly scooter-style ones, are notably heavier than the average bicycle.
Bicycle laws, lax though they seem to be these days, state that cyclists should be riding in the right-hand lane, and keep to the right as far as possible. The same goes for e-bikes, under the Ontario Pilot Program which ends this October. In fact, for the most part, e-bike laws are the same as those of bicycles, with the added restriction that you must wear an approved helmet, and be at least 16. I totally agree with those two restrictions: in fact, I think helmets should be 100% required by law, regardless of your age or where you ride. It’s just common sense. And although an e-bike would be a great idea for the younger crowds to get around on, because you’re riding on the roads with competing traffic, I think having an age restriction the equivalent of a driver’s license makes sense.
There are some confusing arguments going on between e-bikers and cyclists, and local law enforcement. For example, some bike paths and parks, who allow regular bicycles, do not allow e-bikes. More often than not, it’s the park security/management who enforce this, and not federal or provincial law — not even city by-law. Under the Pilot Program, e-bikes are legally considered bicycles (electric-assisted bicycles, if you will) and therefore have the right to be on these paths. However, riders have been harassed, shooed off the property, and even ticketed for even *walking* their e-bikes through these places. Also, some of the local law enforcement have pulled over e-bike riders for having no plates/license etc, which are not required for e-bikes. These tickets are, in turn, thrown out in court. However, wearing your helmet and keeping your pedals attached at all times *are* requirements, and you can be issued a ticket/fine for not complying. Without the pedals attached, you could even be fined the equivalent of driving a car with no insurance, and that’s no laughing matter! The pedals have been an ongoing debate, as many consider the pedals more of a hazard than anything: many e-bikes (particularly the scooter-style ones) have pedals which are virtually useless anyway, and they sit so low to the ground that they may present the risk of bouncing off curbs or the pavement during a sharp turn. I can vouch for this myself, as I’ve hit a few curbs or the inclines in driveways, for example. I personally wouldn’t miss them, if laws were changed and I were allowed to remove them.
Now, a big topic in the news lately: licensing and insurance. There are certain members of parliament who want to impose licensing, insurance and registration for e-bikes; some even for regular bicycles as well. I think this is a big, big mistake. To my knowledge, practically no other province in Canada does this, and those that do, have changed or are changing that. First and foremost, it would be impossible to regulate or enforce effectively. Especially for bicycles! I mean what are you going to do, slap a 10-year-old with a $100 fine for not having his bicycle license? And if they impose an age+license restriction, are the local police really going to have time to pull over every rider to make sure they’re over the age requirement? It’ll get out of hand, very quickly, and cost taxpayers (not to mention the cyclists!) even more unnecessary money each year. The whole point of these bikes is to lower our carbon footprint, and travel more efficiently. Start nailing owners for insurance, and the economic advantage of these bikes becomes less clear.
Where it really all comes down to in the end, is a need for common sense and better education for all cyclists, e-bike riders, motorists, and pedestrians alike. If the Driver’s Handbook and other educational materials clarified the role and place for these vehicles on our roads, there might be less accidents and less frustration for all those who share our roads. Some common courtesies – giving cyclists and motorists right of way, sufficient space to pass, not tailgating, and for the love of God, using your turn signals – could make a world of a difference to all of us. I can not tell you how many times I’ve had to slam on my brakes to avoid an oncoming car who chose to cut me off without using their turn signals. Cyclists and e-bikers are no angels here either, we need to obey the rules of the road too. Stop at stop signs, signal your turns, give pedestrians the right of way.. just a few of many rules broken by too many on the road.
I’ll get into the pros and cons of riding an e-bike at a later time, but for now, all I want to say is this: please Ontario, don’t take the freedom of these vehicles away from us! There are many who depend on these, particularly the elderly or those who cannot ride a regular bicycle for medical reasons. Not to mention, they’re fun! And with little to no emissions, a much smaller footprint than even the smallest of cars, and a comparably low price, what do we really have to lose, anyway?
