Here's the rules for e-bikes, e-scooters that Kelowna cops and schools are worried about
Kelowna RCMP and Central Okanagan Public Schools have concerns about people riding e-bikes and e-scooters dangerously and whether they actually understand the rules.
Kelowna RCMP said it’s cracking down on dangerous riding this summer and the school board said that a warning about riding safely was misconstrued as a ban on the vehicles.
“Safety is always our priority, and we educate students and families to encourage getting to and from school safely,” Central Okanagan Public Schools superintendent Kevin Kardaal said in an email. “Although Central Okanagan Public Schools does not have such a policy, we will continue to work with families and authorities to educate on safety and compliance with provincial laws.”
There are several different kinds of electric powered bikes and scooters these days. E-bikes are electric powered but they still have pedals, e-dirt bikes are treated the same as regular gas-powered dirt bikes, e-scooters like the popular Lime scooters and even electric powered mopeds.
It’s easy to lump them all in the same category, but that isn’t the case.
The rules for e-dirt bikes are the same as they are for gas-powered dirt bikes, even though they are relatively new. Dirt bikes are only for off-road riding only, they are not allowed to be on the street.
RCMP said it has zero tolerance for high-risk behaviour and officers are cracking down on dangerous riders.
The crackdown on e-bikes and e-scooters came after a hit-and-run between two motorized scooter riders in Kelowna sent one of them to the hospital in May.
Stunting can result in a seven-day impound, riding without a helmet is a $138 fine and two demerit points, riding without insurance is a $598 fine, driving without care is a $368 fine and six demerit points. Fleeing from police, dangerous operation and impaired driving are criminal offences.
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E-bikes have different classifications, but are essentially pedal bikes with electric motors.
There are two classes for e-bikes. The standard class has a motor-assisted top speed of 32 km/h and riders have to be 16 years old. Light e-bikes can only go up to 25 km/h with the motor and riders have to be 14 years old.
E-bike and e-scooter riders have to follow the same rules as drivers and cyclists and can be fined up to $2,000 for riding dangerously.
Electric kick scooters, like Lime scooters, are only allowed in some communities in B.C., including Kamloops, Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton.
Some areas might have different rules, but there are some province-wide regulations.
Riders need to be at least 16 years old, but you don’t need a licence or insurance. The maximum speed is 25 km/h and e-scooters can’t have a seat. Scooter riders need to wear a helmer and have a bell or a horn. They are also limited to one rider at a time, so no Titanic reenactments are allowed while riding an e-scooter.
British Columbians don’t need a motorcycle license to ride an electric moped but folks do need a full privilege class 5 or 7 licence. They are treated the same as gas-powered mopeds which means you have to follow the rules of the road and wear a helmet.
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