Electric bicycles have been a driving force behind the increase in micromobility adoption in many large Canadian cities, such as Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa. 

With the increase in usage of electric bicycles, there are specific laws that manufacturers and riders should be aware of.

Whether you are looking to know if electric bicycles are legal in your province, where you can ride electric bicycles, and whether you need any license or insurance, this article is for you.

National Electric Bicycles Laws in Canada

Electric Bicycle Laws:

According to the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (MVSR), electric bicycles, also known as Power Assisted Bicycles (PABs), cannot exceed a speed of 32 km/h (or 20 mph) and must have a motor power of fewer than 500 watts, must have handlebars, must have an electric motor, and operational pedals (which means that you need to pedal to make the bike move).

When riding an electric bicycle in Canada, all riders are required to wear a helmet and must be above 16 years old to operate one. However, riders are not subjected to vehicle licenses and liability insurance. The location in which riders are allowed to operate electric bicycles varies across the different provinces in Canada. 

While there are some national ground rules for how electric bicycles are meant to be manufactured and operated, provincial governments are allowed to modify these laws to their standards.

If you’re looking at purchasing an electric bicycle, one of the most reliable and fun-to-drive devices on the market is the commuter electric bike, Aventon Level 2. The electric bike is fully compliant with all Canadian and Provincial regulations, featuring a 500-watt motor, a limited speed of 32 km/h, and a gross weight of less than 120 kg. You can check out the electric bike here and visit one of our stores for a test ride.

Electric Bicycle Laws by Province:

· Alberta:

In the province of Alberta, electric bicycle operators need to be at least 12 years of age or older. The electric bicycle must be pedal operated, and the bicycle cannot travel faster than 32 km/h or 20 mph and be equipped with a motor that exceeds an output of 500 watts. Modifications on the electric bicycles are prohibited, and if the operator wants to carry additional passengers, the electric bicycle must be able to accommodate a second seat. The operator does not need a driver’s license, vehicle insurance or vehicle registration, but the electric bicycle must be equipped with head/tail lights, reflectors, brakes, and a horn/bell. Electric bicycles can only be operated on bicycle lanes, local roads, and bike trails.

· Source:

https://www.transportation.alberta.ca/content/doctype45/production/mopedpowerbikes.pdf

https://electrifiedmobile.ca/alberta-ebike-regulations/ 

· British Columbia:

Electric bicycles in the province of British Columbia are defined as two or three wheeled bicycles that have a seat, pedals and electric motor with an output that doesn’t exceed 500 watts. These bicycles must be powered by a battery and cannot be gas-powered. Electric bicycles must also not exceed a speed of 32 km/h or 20 mph on level ground. If your vehicle doesn’t follow the regulations as outlined, they will be classified as limited speed motorcycles. Moreover, riders need to be at least 16 years old to ride an electric bicycle, and all riders must wear a bicycle helmet. All cyclists are subjected to the same rights and rules of the road as drivers of a motor vehicle, and can only operate on bicycle lanes and local roads.

· Source:

https://www.icbc.com/vehicle-registration/specialty-vehicles/Low-powered-vehicles/Pages/Electric-bikes.aspx 

· Manitoba:

In the province of Manitoba, electric bicycle laws are similar to those enforced in British Columbia. They are allowed to have two or three wheels, and must include pedals, handlebars, and a motor that does not output more than 500 watts and a speed of more than 32 km/h or 20 mph. In addition, the electric bicycle must stop providing motor power once the rider stops pedaling, and the motor must disengage when the brakes are applied. All riders must wear a bicycle helmet, and have to be 14 years of age or older to operate an electric bicycle. Riders must also provide hand signals to notify other drivers of when they are turning, and cyclists should ride as close to the curb as possible when on roads. Cyclists should also ride in a single file, and their bikes should be equipped with white and red reflector lights. 

· Source:

https://web2.gov.mb.ca/bills/38-2/b036e.php 

https://www.quietkat.ca/pages/electric-bike-regulations-in-canada 

· Newfoundland and Labrador:

Similar to other electric bicycle laws in other Canadian provinces, the electric bicycle must have either two or three wheels, a motor that does not exceed 500 watts in power, and a maximum speed of 32 km/h or 20 mph. Riders must also be at least 16 years old to operate an electric bicycle, and they must wear a helmet. The electric bicycle motor must disengage when the rider stops pedaling, and riders should ride in the bicycle lane or right shoulder of the road. However, unlike other provinces such as Manitoba, electric bicycles are allowed to have an accelerator controller. The accelerator controller (also known as a throttle) is a switch that allows riders to gain extra power assist without having the need to pedal their electric bike.

· Source:

https://www.assembly.nl.ca/legislation/sr/annualregs/2017/nr170026.htm 

https://bicyclenl.com/about/ 

· Nova Scotia:

The Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act defines electric bicycles as a bicycle with a 500 watt motor or less, and a maximum speed of 32 km/h or 20 mph. Similar to most provinces in Canada, electric bicycles are permitted on trails, bike lanes and roads provided that the cyclist is wearing an approved bicycle helmet at all times. Unlike provinces such as Alberta and Manitoba where three-wheeled electric bicycles are permitted, Nova Scotia only recognizes electric bicycles with two or four wheels, and each wheel needs to be at least 350 mm or approximately 14 inches in diameter. Cyclists also don’t need license and insurance to operate an electric bicycle and must comply with all the road regulations that car drivers are subjected to.

· Source:

https://novascotia.ca/just/regulations/regs/mv18786.htm 

https://nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/58th_2nd/1st_read/b111.htm

· Ontario:

Electric bicycles in Ontario are defined as a bicycle with an electric motor that doesn’t exceed 500 watts, with a working handlebar for steering, working pedals, two or three wheels, and two braking systems. In the province of Ontario, you must be 16 years or older to operate an electric bicycle, you also need to wear an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet, and follow the same rules of the road as other cyclists. The provincial guidelines for electric bicycles also state that the bicycle must not exceed a speed greater than 32 km/h (20 mph), have a maximum weight of 120 kg (including battery), and no modifications to increase the motor power and speed of the electric bicycle. Electric bicycles in Ontario are allowed to be operated anywhere a regular bicycle is allowed. This includes bike lanes, sidewalks, trails and highways. 

· Source:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/riding-e-bike 

https://www.campisilaw.ca/blog/ontario-e-bike-laws-before-after-you-buy 

· Prince Edward Island:

In the province of Prince Edward Island, electric bicycles are classified as mopeds. This means that all cyclists who wish to own and operate an electric bicycle will need to get their license, insurance, registration and inspection before being permitted to ride on trails, roads, and bike lanes. 

· Source:

https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/transportation-and-infrastructure/power-assisted-bicycles 

http://www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/tpw_dh_chap6.pdf 

· Quebec:

In the province of Quebec, electric bicycles are under the same classification as standard pedal bicycles. Electric bicycles are permitted to have 2 or 3 wheels, with an electric motor that outputs a maximum of 500 watts, and a top speed of 32 km/h or 20 mph on level ground. The electric bicycle must also have a sticker from the manufacturer which states that the vehicle complies with Canadian federal regulations for electric bicycles (also known as Power Assisted Bicycles). Electric bicycles are only permitted on the road in Quebec, and riders must be 14 and over to operate the vehicle. Additionally the electric bike pedals need to be fully functioning and need to resemble the look of a bicycle. Any form of electric bike style moped or motorcycle is now illegal to own and operate in the province of Quebec.

· Source:

https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/road-safety/modes-transportation/electric-bike 

https://educaloi.qc.ca/en/legal-news/electric-bicycles-the-rules-of-the-road/ 、

· Saskatchewan:

Electric bicycles have two classifications in the province of Saskatchewan. The first classification is an electric assist bicycle which either has two or three wheels, and requires effort by pedaling to engage the electric motor at the same time. The second classification is a power cycle, which can be powered by the motor only through an accelerator on the handlebars. For both classifications the electric bicycle must not have a motor power greater than 500 watts, and a speed that doesn’t exceed 32 km/h or 20 mph on level ground. For cyclists who ride a power cycle, they must at minimum obtain a learner’s driving license (class 7), but other riders who have a class 1 to 5 license can operate a power cycle as well. Whereas, for electric assist bicycles a license is not required. Both classifications require cyclists to wear a helmet with chinstrap at all times, and they have to be electrically powered. Gas powered bicycles are classified under motorcycles. Moreover, the electric assist bicycle and power cycle must have a sticker of compliance with Canadian federal classification for electric bicycles or Power Assisted Bicycles (PABs) from the manufacturer. 

· Source:

https://www.sgi.sk.ca/motorcycle/-/knowledge_base/motorcycle-handbook/power-assisted-bicycles1 

https://www.quietkat.ca/pages/electric-bike-regulations-in-canada#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20limit%20on,limit%20of%2032%20km%2Fh.