The e-bike ban that prevented certain types of electric bikes from using the northern section of the Okanagan Trail Rail will soon be overturned.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Sheila Fraser

The e-bike ban that prevented certain types of electric bikes from using the northern section of the Okanagan Trail Rail will soon be overturned.

Directors at the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee voted unanimously to allow class two e-bikes to ride on the trail.

Sheila Fraser, who spearheaded the campaign to have the ban removed said she was "excited" by the move.

"This makes it a more unified voice for the entire length of the Okanagan Rail Trail," Fraser said. "I think that is really important, this is an active transportation corridor and... it connects all these communities together so it's really important that people feel comfortable that they understand that they are allowed on the entire trail."

The controversy erupted early this year when signs appeared on the Regional District of North Okanagan portion of the rail trail stating that Class 2 and 3 e-bikes were prohibited.

The bylaw, which was passed in 2021, outlawed Class 2 e-bikes which have a throttle as well as a pedal-assist function but allowed Class 1 e-bikes which just have the pedal-assist mode.

The new rules caught many off-guard and infuriated many e-bike riders.

Fraser argued that the throttle on Class 2 e-bikes is largely used just as an assistance tool to help a rider start from a dead stop or a fatigued rider when they are on a long ride and shouldn't be banned.

Fraser, who owns an electric bike store, said the ban discriminated against many seniors and less abled riders.

Yesterday, June 1, Greater Vernon Advisory Committee director Pat Cochrane put forward the motion to overturn the ban.

"From what I have gathered certainly having the throttle control certainly makes the bike safer and easier to handle," he said.

Cochrane said the board was unanimous at having the ban on Class 2 e-bikes strapped.

The Coldstream councillor said a speed limit for the trail wasn't proposed as it would be virtually impossible to enforce.

Cochrane said it was important that people practiced good trail etiquette and recommended cyclists use a bell and were polite.

Fraser praised the Regional District committee for the speed at which they overturned the ban.

The file will now go to the Regional District Board of Directors meeting June 15 for a final vote. Cochrane said the vote should just be a formality.

The move overturns the ban on Class 2 e-bikes, but Class 3 e-bikes, which have more powerful motors and reach higher speeds, will still be outlawed.

While the bylaw came into play in the summer of 2021, the Regional District of North Okanagan hasn't issued any fines related to the ban.

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