Toronto Learns to Love Electric Scooters
You can call them electric scooters or you can call them Ebikes, but in Toronto traffic they are rapidly becoming a fact of life. Toronto's Police Department in the 54 division have started up a campaign to educate electric scooter drivers on the rules of the road.
Dave Miller, Toronto's ex-mayor, helped to make bicycles a popular way to commute, an alternative to hours long commutes into the downtown core using polluting cars. Miller's legacy of bike-friendly routes has helped to increase the number of cyclists in the downtown core.
Sure enough, it is of no surprise that the advent of the electric bicycle, although more aptly called an electric scooter given their extra bulk and shape compared to the traditional bicycles, has created a stir on the Toronto streets. There are many who want to be environmentally friendly, however do not want to end up at work smelly and drenched from the commute to work, particularly carrying heavy backpacks over their shoulders which just increases the back sweat factor. Some of the discomfort of bicycle commuting in the heat can be avoided by using an electric scooter, while remaining true to your ecological philosophy.
An electric scooter glides along silently, with none of the noise and roar of a two-strOKe moped. They have no exhaust fumes because they get their energy from the battery pack. Should electric bikes get the same considerations that normal bikes do?
A different set of rules apply to electric bikes from traditional bikes. There have been a few accidents and several near misses, mostly involving mis-use of bicycle lanes and misunderstanding of the rules of the road.
Bike lanes are off limits to electric bikes which are running on electric power. As long as the electric motor is turned off and the electric bike is moving under pedal power it is OK in the bike lane. Once the motor is engaged, it is a motorized vehicle and must run in the car lanes.
Helmets are a matter of common sense for those using traditional bicycles, however those who are using electric bicycles Must wear a helmet at all times.
Riding on the sidewalks, like riders of traditional bicycles, is absolutely prohibited. E-bikers and traditional bikers alike are tempted to hop the curb and weave in and out of pedestrian traffic. It might be OK to ride on the side walk if you are a skilled and cautious enough rider to avoid hitting or scaring pedestrians, but that won't stop the Toronto cops from handing you a $400 ticket! No one expects little kids to ride in the street, of course, but if your wheels are larger than 24cm in diameter, keep them in the street.
The 54th Division of the Toronto City Police will be continuing with their electric scooter blitz until the 31st of August. The mission is to ensure that riders have E-bikes which are mechanically sound and to prevent them from riding recklessly. It is worth the effort for riders to learn the special regulations that apply to electric bicycles. Keep you e-bike in good shape, always wear your helmet, and respect those who you share the road with. Ride safe and have fun, Toronto.
Dave Miller, Toronto's ex-mayor, helped to make bicycles a popular way to commute, an alternative to hours long commutes into the downtown core using polluting cars. Miller's legacy of bike-friendly routes has helped to increase the number of cyclists in the downtown core.
Sure enough, it is of no surprise that the advent of the electric bicycle, although more aptly called an electric scooter given their extra bulk and shape compared to the traditional bicycles, has created a stir on the Toronto streets. There are many who want to be environmentally friendly, however do not want to end up at work smelly and drenched from the commute to work, particularly carrying heavy backpacks over their shoulders which just increases the back sweat factor. Some of the discomfort of bicycle commuting in the heat can be avoided by using an electric scooter, while remaining true to your ecological philosophy.
An electric scooter glides along silently, with none of the noise and roar of a two-strOKe moped. They have no exhaust fumes because they get their energy from the battery pack. Should electric bikes get the same considerations that normal bikes do?
A different set of rules apply to electric bikes from traditional bikes. There have been a few accidents and several near misses, mostly involving mis-use of bicycle lanes and misunderstanding of the rules of the road.
Bike lanes are off limits to electric bikes which are running on electric power. As long as the electric motor is turned off and the electric bike is moving under pedal power it is OK in the bike lane. Once the motor is engaged, it is a motorized vehicle and must run in the car lanes.
Helmets are a matter of common sense for those using traditional bicycles, however those who are using electric bicycles Must wear a helmet at all times.
Riding on the sidewalks, like riders of traditional bicycles, is absolutely prohibited. E-bikers and traditional bikers alike are tempted to hop the curb and weave in and out of pedestrian traffic. It might be OK to ride on the side walk if you are a skilled and cautious enough rider to avoid hitting or scaring pedestrians, but that won't stop the Toronto cops from handing you a $400 ticket! No one expects little kids to ride in the street, of course, but if your wheels are larger than 24cm in diameter, keep them in the street.
The 54th Division of the Toronto City Police will be continuing with their electric scooter blitz until the 31st of August. The mission is to ensure that riders have E-bikes which are mechanically sound and to prevent them from riding recklessly. It is worth the effort for riders to learn the special regulations that apply to electric bicycles. Keep you e-bike in good shape, always wear your helmet, and respect those who you share the road with. Ride safe and have fun, Toronto.