Whether you need a license to operate an eBike or not makes no difference if you have been convicted of DUI. The conviction carries with it not only a provincial license suspension, but a complete prohibition on operating any motor vehicle at all.
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return on the E bikes...
- Thread starter suzuki2000
- Start date
Whether you need a license to operate an eBike or not makes no difference if you have been convicted of DUI. The conviction carries with it not only a provincial license suspension, but a complete prohibition on operating any motor vehicle at all.
But really lets be honest. With no license and no plate required you have to be doing something pretty dumb to get pulled over to get caught. I don't think I've ever seen an ebike pulled over before. Just as Bicycles are rarely pulled over.
Something pretty dumb could be riding the eBike while impaired.
Here another from last October where no license or plate was required, but the guy got stopped and charged with drive while disqualified.
The law treats e-bikes as regular bicycles.. Riding an e-bike is about as illegal as riding a regular bicycle when you're on a DUI suspension. They even have those tiny, "barely"(non)-functional little pedals to prove it.. Local drunks love'em
OK people, we really need goverment to Licence and regulate e-bikes?? Not with my tax dollars! Why are all the solutions to problems involve creating new regulations and laws that would surely require another department at Queens Park. Leave e-bikes alone, if DUI and crackheads are killing them selves on them ......ummm I can live with that.
Because they put other motorcycle riders and pedestrians at risk.. An e-bike is in fact a motor vehicle and should be treated as such. If it darts in front of a motorcycle, they are both ****ed. If it plows into a group of pedestrians at 40km/h, they're all ****ed.. And I've seen'em ride those things on sidewalks, cutting through parks, even inside buildings.
Same can be said about bicyles, skateboarders, roller bladers , clowns on stilts (i hate those ) and all the more dangerous if they are over 200lbs and eating a burito at the same time. Dam, get out your pencil Goverment lawmen we needs laws and we needs them fast!
The law treats e-bikes as regular bicycles.. Riding an e-bike is about as illegal as riding a regular bicycle when you're on a DUI suspension. They even have those tiny, "barely"(non)-functional little pedals to prove it.. Local drunks love'em
You clearly don't understand how the various levels of laws apply to eBikes.
ONTARIO law treats eBikes as a type of bicycle, with exceptions. Certain HTA penalties pertaining to "motor vehicles" may or may not apply.
FEDERAL law treats eBikes as motor vehicles. While the province has the power to regulate what needs or does not need licensing, the federal government and the Criminal Code takes over when it comes criminal offences related to the operation of a motor vehicle (which an eBike is under federal legislation) and with respect to imposing driving prohibitions after a driving-related Criminal Code conviction.
This is also clearly stated on the MTO web site: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/emerging/e-bike-faq.shtml
sundancekid
Banned
Regardless of the technicalities of the Criminal Code vs. the HTA if the ebike can be considered enough of a motor vehicle to get someone an impaired charge, it should require a LSM license endorsement. People are operating these ebikes on our roads and sidewalks (albeit illegally) are interacting and impacting traffic in such a way that warrants legislation.
I mean really, mopeds are pretty similar to ebikes and they require an LSM or M license, the means of propulsion (electric vs. petroleum) shouldn't matter. It is a perfect example of how our antiquated and out of touch political and legal system is failing to keep up with technological developments. As battery technology is advances and fuel prices rise the problem will continue to fester until people start dying or hell freezes over and the fat cat politicians actually get a clue.
I mean really, mopeds are pretty similar to ebikes and they require an LSM or M license, the means of propulsion (electric vs. petroleum) shouldn't matter. It is a perfect example of how our antiquated and out of touch political and legal system is failing to keep up with technological developments. As battery technology is advances and fuel prices rise the problem will continue to fester until people start dying or hell freezes over and the fat cat politicians actually get a clue.
I can recall people being charged with impaired driving for riding drunk down the street on those battery-powered 3- and 4-wheeled mobility scooters used by old folks and the disabled.
Also, when eBikes first came out, someone in Ottawa was charged with impaired driving on two separate occasions in the same month.
Also, when eBikes first came out, someone in Ottawa was charged with impaired driving on two separate occasions in the same month.
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I like this one. It follows the original intention of the ebike definition. Those Chinese electric scooter death traps with barely functional pedals do not. I really wish they'd do something to make the ebike definition more like the original intention and get the crap off the roads.I love mine. It's a hoot!!!
kiwi
Well-known member
+1 !! For sure, check out how many are parked outside the pubs along Danforth Ave at night during the summer. Bet these guys paid for them from their benefit chqs.
Yes, I like to make generalizations..
kiwi
Well-known member
There was a couple big accidents last year.. I think a police car collided with one on Danforth
heh.. just did a google and found this:
http://www.meetup.com/toronto-moto-scooter-club/messages/boards/thread/9274849/
oh, and this is what I was thinking of:
Electric scooter driver critical after crash with police cruiser
http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090914/090914_siu_crash?hub=CP24Home
A collision involving a Toronto police cruiser and an "e-bike" has sent three people to hospital, one in life-threatening condition.
The crash occurred at about 9 p.m. near Kingston Road and Danforth Avenue.
An officer has been taken to a local hospital with minor arm injuries. Both people on the scooter were also sent to hospital, one with life-threatening injuries.
An e-bike is a low-powered scooter powered by an electric motor. Unlike gasoline scooters, e-bikes usually have pedals and their drivers are not required to have a licence.
Witnesses at the scene say the people on the scooter were not wearing helmets and that the officer appeared to faint after he exited his vehicle.
There is significant damage to the front of the cruiser.
The Special Investigations Unit, which is called in whenever there is a serious injury involving a police officer, is on the scene.
wearelopey
Well-known member
Saw some guy with a case of beer between his legs and a dog (fairly large Husky)... Dog was not liking it at all and the guy was severely swerving... This was at Queen and Bathurst too...
The drivers of these ebikes are definately motorcycle course flunkies. Not safe at all.
The drivers of these ebikes are definately motorcycle course flunkies. Not safe at all.
One of the Catch-22 problems with ebikes is the poor performance. Since they can't keep up with traffic people want to ride them on the sidewalks. If you up the performance they lose their licence exemption status.
500-600 pounds of bike and unskilled lard coming at you on a sidewalk is going to hurt. Guess what? No insurance! Are ebikes covered under any household policy add-ons?
To those that want the govies to stay out of it, do you want to eliminate mandatory auto insurance as well? This is one place I do want the government to get involved.
The worst part is most of the people I see riding them could use the exercize of a real bike.
500-600 pounds of bike and unskilled lard coming at you on a sidewalk is going to hurt. Guess what? No insurance! Are ebikes covered under any household policy add-ons?
To those that want the govies to stay out of it, do you want to eliminate mandatory auto insurance as well? This is one place I do want the government to get involved.
The worst part is most of the people I see riding them could use the exercize of a real bike.
bombshelter13
Well-known member
Whether you guys like it or not, a lot of our next generation of motorcyclists are going to start out on these things. Hell, I did - bought an e-bike last summer and rode it 'til the weather turned south.
Right from the start I didn't know if I'd stick the electric or want something with more power in the end, but it seemed like an economical way to find out whether I enjoy travelling on two weels - and it was.
After a season on the e-bike, I decided that it didn't have the power I needed to feel as safe as I'd like to feel in Toronto traffic, especially without insurance (you can't get insurance on an ebike even if you want to), so off I went to take a motorcycle safety course (Humber) and started pricing bikes.
Now the e-bike just sits in the garage collecting dust - I don't even feel comfortable riding it anymore, after getting used to the weight of a 'real bike' the ebike just feels way too light.
But, even though I probably won't ever sit on it again, it served the purpose I wanted it to by letting me get my feet wet on two wheels and practice some basic balancing skills.
Now, the guys in their 30s and 40s on ebikes? Them I'd be worried about, sure - especially if they're only wearing bicycle helmets (even on the ebike I always wore at least a DOT half-helmet, leather jacket and riding gloves) and are swerving all over the place. I can very well believe that most of them are DUIs or motorcycle safety course flunkies.
But the younger people on 'em? Give 'em a break: it's probably their first two wheeler and there are good odds that next season they'll be right beside you on a motorcycle or gas scooter.
Plus, I certainly wouldn't blame a teenager (16-19 or so) who likes the idea of commuting on two wheels if they went with an e-bike instead of a gas bike given the insurance rates for riders that young - as long as they're smart about it, ride safely and don't do stupid **** like people have been describing in this thread.
Right from the start I didn't know if I'd stick the electric or want something with more power in the end, but it seemed like an economical way to find out whether I enjoy travelling on two weels - and it was.
After a season on the e-bike, I decided that it didn't have the power I needed to feel as safe as I'd like to feel in Toronto traffic, especially without insurance (you can't get insurance on an ebike even if you want to), so off I went to take a motorcycle safety course (Humber) and started pricing bikes.
Now the e-bike just sits in the garage collecting dust - I don't even feel comfortable riding it anymore, after getting used to the weight of a 'real bike' the ebike just feels way too light.
But, even though I probably won't ever sit on it again, it served the purpose I wanted it to by letting me get my feet wet on two wheels and practice some basic balancing skills.
Now, the guys in their 30s and 40s on ebikes? Them I'd be worried about, sure - especially if they're only wearing bicycle helmets (even on the ebike I always wore at least a DOT half-helmet, leather jacket and riding gloves) and are swerving all over the place. I can very well believe that most of them are DUIs or motorcycle safety course flunkies.
But the younger people on 'em? Give 'em a break: it's probably their first two wheeler and there are good odds that next season they'll be right beside you on a motorcycle or gas scooter.
Plus, I certainly wouldn't blame a teenager (16-19 or so) who likes the idea of commuting on two wheels if they went with an e-bike instead of a gas bike given the insurance rates for riders that young - as long as they're smart about it, ride safely and don't do stupid **** like people have been describing in this thread.
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suzuki2000
Well-known member
I don't think anyone is fundamentally opposed to the e bikes, they serve a purpose and offer a means of transportation to many that may not have an alternative. The biggest issues is that anyone can get one, receive no education and yet be allowed to put themselves and others in risk. They are typically unaware of the principles of physics, or their surroundings.
As I pointed out in my original post the individual I saw was putting a toddler in what I see as a very high risk situation.
The decisions the riders I have seen have more often then not been simply poor and wreckless and I would blame this primarily on a lack of education
I've seen what must've been a 5 yr old barely hanging off the back of a cruiser with nothing on but a pink sweat suit and a helmet about twice the size of it's head.
If the ebikes weren't so wide and people actually obeyed some road rules (the people that ride these things are worse than cyclists for this) I wouldn't have a problem with them.
Insurance-wise it works the same as a bicycle. If you get injured by a driver their insurance should cover you I think. If you damage another car/injure anyone you are personally responsible.
thedude
Well-known member
If it is propelled by anything other than human power and meant to be ridden on public roads it should require a drivers license and plate (these lead to accountability on the drivers behalf). There are way too many e-bikes on the road now. I can't even count the number of times I've seen them either a) blowing past cyclists in the bike lanes, silently creeping up on them and scarring the **** out of them as they blow past at 30km+ or b) riding on the sidewalk while looking for a place to park or c) trying to use a lane like a motorcycle and holding up traffic.
At least most respectable cyclists do their best to stay out of traffics way and obey (most) of the rules of the road
At least most respectable cyclists do their best to stay out of traffics way and obey (most) of the rules of the road
Yes!, its true.. heard this, and witnessed this phenomenon..
They need to be regulated FAST, its crazy how they abuse them
They need to be regulated FAST, its crazy how they abuse them
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