Electric Bike Regulations In Canada
Electrical assist bikes or power-assist bicycles have become increasingly popular in all areas of the world. You consistently see them on the roads, parks, and on mountain trails. However, as more people are purchasing them, the dangers around electric bikes increase as well. To ensure everyone is safe when electric bikes or ebikes are involved, there are rules and regulations regarding ebikes.In Canada, the technical term for ebikes is called “assist bicycles” or “power-assist bicycles”. The ebikes do not include bikes with internal combustion engines like the traditional motorbike or moped. They fall under a different category and are subject to different laws.
A power-assisted bicycle may be imported and exported freely from Canada without the same restrictions, taxes, or levies placed on automobiles, motorcycles and other combustion engine vehicles. Since 2000, Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations had defined assist bicycles or power-assisted bicycles as a separate category from combustion engine vehicles which require a license to operate. But started from 2020 the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Regulation was amended and now federal authorities do not define or regulate an ebike, instead this responsibility lies with the provinces.
As the task of defining and regulating ebikes lies with provinces we have made province specific blogs to educate you on the provincial regulations.
Click the provinces below to learn more about these provincial regulations in detail:
