skidmark
08-06-2008, 09:43 PM
Are you going green? Is a motor assisted cycle something that you are considering the purchase of to help you get around? Adding an electric motor to a bicycle to help out with the chore of pedalling uphill or giving a boost to your efforts on level ground sure sounds good!
A motor assisted cycle is described in B.C.'s Motor Assisted Cycle Regulation. Among other requirements:
It may have an electric motor of 500 watts or less
It must not travel faster than 32 km/h on level ground when propelled by the motor alone
It must be switched on or off by the rider or controlled by a switch that will not let the motor start until a speed of 3 km/h has been attained by pedalling
The motor must disengage when the rider quits pedalling, applies the brake or releases the accelerator
It must have pedals to allow the rider to move it by muscular power
Anyone 16 years of age or older may operate a motor assisted cycle in the same manner as a bicycle. No driver's license, vehicle license or insurance is required, but a bicycle helmet is mandatory.
If the motor assisted cycle does not meet the requirements of the regulation such as a larger motor, modifications made to remove the pedals or change the way in which the motor operates it becomes a motorcycle in the eyes of the Motor Vehicle Act. This means the rider needs a motorcycle helmet, driver's license, vehicle license and insurance.
Still interested? When you are shopping for your new motor assisted cycle, look for a permanently attached label that identifies the machine as a "power assisted bicycle" and meets all the requirements under section 2(1) of the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations. Enjoy your ride!
Reference Links (http://www.drivesmartbc.ca/node/295)
A motor assisted cycle is described in B.C.'s Motor Assisted Cycle Regulation. Among other requirements:
It may have an electric motor of 500 watts or less
It must not travel faster than 32 km/h on level ground when propelled by the motor alone
It must be switched on or off by the rider or controlled by a switch that will not let the motor start until a speed of 3 km/h has been attained by pedalling
The motor must disengage when the rider quits pedalling, applies the brake or releases the accelerator
It must have pedals to allow the rider to move it by muscular power
Anyone 16 years of age or older may operate a motor assisted cycle in the same manner as a bicycle. No driver's license, vehicle license or insurance is required, but a bicycle helmet is mandatory.
If the motor assisted cycle does not meet the requirements of the regulation such as a larger motor, modifications made to remove the pedals or change the way in which the motor operates it becomes a motorcycle in the eyes of the Motor Vehicle Act. This means the rider needs a motorcycle helmet, driver's license, vehicle license and insurance.
Still interested? When you are shopping for your new motor assisted cycle, look for a permanently attached label that identifies the machine as a "power assisted bicycle" and meets all the requirements under section 2(1) of the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations. Enjoy your ride!
Reference Links (http://www.drivesmartbc.ca/node/295)