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city e-bike dealer champions change |
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Written by Caroline Zentner
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Thursday, 02 July 2009 |
Albertans now have more power as new rules for electric bikes went into effect this week.
The new regulations as of July 1 allow people to ride power-assisted bicycles without needing a licence, insurance or registration. Riders will, however, have to wear a Department of Transportation-approved helmet.
Linda Jose, a partner in Lethbridge’s eBikes store on 3 Avenue South, has been trying to get the province to change its regulations after she discovered her eBikes, at 40 kilograms, were too heavy to qualify as non-licensed bicycles.
“It’s frustrating as heck but it takes time. I started in April of last year writing letters,” Jose said. “I started with the premier. (Eventually) I wrote to every minister in the Alberta government.”
The bikes were fine under Transport Canada rules but in Alberta, any vehicle that weighed more than 35 kilograms and travelled faster than 35 kilometres per hour was considered a moped. And moped riders must be licensed. Anyone caught driving an eBike without a licence, registration and insurance faced the possibility of a hefty fine.
That put a damper on Jose’s business because the regulations added about $1,000 to the cost of the eBike. Imported from China, eBikes sell for between $1,899 and $2,600. Alberta regulations were behind the times, she said, and someone had to lead the charge.
“It definitely started things,” she said. “Really, they have no reason to change a law unless somebody asks for it.”
She’s expecting business will pick up once people know about the new regulations.
“I have to get it out there that they’re legal,” she said. “I do anticipate we will get busier and that I will actually sell some in the city.”
Alberta’s new regulations stipulate power or power-assisted bicycles have a top speed of 32 km/h and an electric motor with a maximum power of 500 watts. Weight is not restricted, no driver’s licence is required and the minimum driving age is 12. No insurance or registration is needed but a motorcycle helmet is required.
Jose said her eBikes take between two and four hours to charge and can be charged every day at a cost of five or 10 cents.
While the smaller bikes might have some difficulty tackling a steep rise in the coulees, the bigger bikes can do it no problem, she said.
“They’re just a lot of fun,” Jose said.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 02 July 2009 )
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