Assisted bicycles, commonly called electric bicycles or electric scooters, are becoming increasingly popular. The Service de police de la Ville de Montréal is using this popularity to remind the public of the general regulations in place for riders of these vehicles.

No drivers license is necessary to ride on an electric bicycle, except if the driver is less than 18 years old and they do not need to be registered.

Certain rules apply in order to be able to legally ride one. It is principally article 492.2 of the Highway Safety Code (HSC) that determines the rules to be followed. This article specifies that: 

• The driver must be 18 years of age or older or the holder of a class 6D (Moped or Motorized Scooter) licence
• The driver must wear a protective helmet
• The bicycle must bear a removable label affixed by the manufacturer stating that it is an assisted bicycle
• The bicycle must conform with the standards provided by the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations, meaning that this type of vehicle must answer the following conditions:

(a) has steering handlebars and is equipped with pedals,

(b) is designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground,

(c) is capable of being propelled by muscular power,

(d) has one or more electric motors that have, singly or in combination, the following characteristics:

(i) it has a total continuous power output rating, measured at the shaft of each motor, of 500 W or less,

(ii) if it is engaged by the use of muscular power, power assistance immediately ceases when the muscular power ceases,

(iii) if it is engaged by the use of an accelerator controller, power assistance immediately ceases when the brakes are applied, and

(iv) it is incapable of providing further assistance when the bicycle attains a speed of 32 km/h on level ground,

(e) bears a label that is permanently affixed by the manufacturer and appears in a conspicuous location stating, in both official languages, that the vehicle is a power-assisted bicycle as defined in this subsection, and

(f) has one of the following safety features,

(i) an enabling mechanism to turn the electric motor on and off that is separate from the accelerator controller and fitted in such a manner that it is operable by the driver, or

(ii) a mechanism that prevents the motor from being engaged before the bicycle attains a speed of 3 km/h; (bicyclette assistée)

Drivers who are in violation of these regulations are liable for a fine of $156.

In conclusion, regulations for traditional bicycle riders apply equally to the driver of an assisted bicycle.

The only rule that differs relates to driving on bicycle paths, where the driver of an assisted bicycle is not obliged to use the path on the public road.

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