E-bikes can prove costly when it comes to insurance claims
Although both motorists and cyclists don't seem to crazy about them, electronic bicycles (e-bikes) are flying off the shelves these days. They're cheap to buy, cheap to run and don't leave much of a carbon footprint.
They are, however, subject to provincial traffic laws; that is, they can ride in traffic with motor vehicles, like scooters, and their operators mustn’t drive recklessly or under the influence of alcohol. Here's a good summary of the existing rules.
More importantly, they also don't need a license or insurance, according to a recent Ontario Court of Justice ruling. But taking that latter option at face value might be shortsighted, warns My Insurance Shopper.
"Like any motorized vehicle, there is a liability risk attached with owning this type of vehicle. If you're an owner of this type of motorized vehicle you need to know that you may have no liability coverage if you get into an accident, and you could find yourself without coverage if you cause property damage or worse, injure another person."
Normal car insurance contains liability coverage but homeowners policies are structured a bit differently and generally exclude motorized vehicles except for lawnmowers, other gardening equipment, snow blowers, wheelchairs and motorized golf carts on the golf premises.
But a good number of policies exclude e-bikes as well.
No insurance required doesn't mean you're not at risk. It’s important to educate yourself on your policy and exericise caution when purchasing and using these types of vehicles, MIS warns.
Do you drive an e-bike? Do you worry about what might happen in an accident?
By Gordon Powers, MSN Money
Posted by: T Chamberlain | Nov 1, 2021 9:17:09 PM
And the risk of causing accidents just by people looking so gay on an ebike has got to be taken into consideration.... My god sometimes I completely lose it laughing at these dorks, I nearly drive into a ditch. I don't know who's funnier the fat women or the wannabe Hells Angels.
Posted by: RICKSHAW | Nov 6, 2021 8:20:54 AM
if they have a motor of whatever nature they ought to be licenced as a "motor vehicle"; the fact that they are battery powered, or, intermittently pedal powered, if i understand the "e" term correctly shouldnt have any bearing on how they are classified. The court made a bad decision when it ruled they were not motor vehicles; i will be looking for the ruling to see what the reasoning was. I cant see most people pedalling these at traffic speeds so most of the time they will be "motor powered"; if pedalling isnt involved as an "e" bike, or , whatever they want to call if then clearly it is a motorized vehicle; the amount of horsepower in my view is irrelevant. Not classifiying them as motor vehicles simply creates confusion about what a motorized vehicle is and as the article points out leaves people in the precarious position of being civililly (financially) liable in potentially significant ways without having the benefit of the insurance pool.
Posted by: R Thibaudeau | Nov 13, 2021 2:24:29 PM
Well stated Mr. Rickshaw. If it has a motor, its a motorized vehicle. If its a motorized vehicle, it should require a licence plate, a licenced operator and insurance. They should also be limited to roadways. The penalty for riding/driving them on pedestrian pathways or side walks should be the same as for any other motor vehicle doing anything so silly. This court ruling creates a lot of confusion and also makes policing very difficult. When is a motorcycle not a motorcycle? When it has peddle power.
I've studied the issue at length. My conclusion is that after a few "accidents" involving driver error by e-bikers, the resulting law suites will cause the courts to reverse their decisions.
Posted by: Rick S | Nov 14, 2021 1:33:57 AM
There is the Governments chance to do something good in British Columbia. That stupid carbon tax can pay for insurance so the people get it free. E-Bike usage will go up and the cities carbon foot print will go down. As an added bonus the cities won't be so noisy. How can you folks live in that racket? No wonder everybody is going nuts. lol.
Posted by: anomy | Nov 15, 2021 12:12:54 PM
I think it clashes with ultra light vehicles regulations. Considering a peddle bike can obtain a motor thus even succeed 50km/r should then a peddle bike or mountain bike should have to be licensed that can travel at the average posted speed limit but also are limited to maximum speed unlike cars. Ultra light gliders or aircraft would have to be fully licensed too given they are motorized as well. I think its a grey zone of fairness when comparing them with other ultra light vehicles as E bike are quite light in nature. As of any ultra light vehicle aircraft or land based there is a responsibility when using them at your own risk by respecting the right of way and rules of the road with any bike/craft motored or not tho insuring them is a good idea. The argument in licensing an E bike would bring up to much dispute with ultra light lovers when it comes to the availability of use without licensing and would no longer be recreational activity to enjoy.
Posted by: john e | Nov 24, 2021 4:46:33 PM
I do not have one but they are a great mode of transportation and i agree they should have some kind of insurance while on city streets but lets keep it within reach like 25 dollars a month this is what i paid to have my golf cart insured while on a trailer park but i wolud like the government to also look at allowing the gem cars allowed on city streets these items are great on reducing our carbon footprint and at the same time those gas gouging companies will have no choice but to reduce the price as there stock pile wold pile up quickley but if these items do not get insured at least designate a lane on major city streets for their safety,
Posted by: Wayne P | Nov 25, 2021 3:14:27 PM
A ebike has to follow the same rules as a bicycle. There are a few more rules on top of that you must be 16 and the vehicle is limited to 32 KMH or around 20 MPH. If they are going faster than that on battery power only they do require a licence. I can not keep up to bicycles and stay right to let them by. They replace my car for all short trips and light to medium shopping depending on type. it is now 8 tears old and the only repair was a set of batteries and tires at 170 dollars. It had 7000 km on it. It costs about 2 cents to charge it. I peddle with mine at least half the time I use it. The other people I ebike with do not have a problem with pedestrians we slow down and give them right of way. The trails we use are open to bikes skaters walkers runners. We all use the trails together and to my knowledge the only accident was between a bike and a car at the intersection. I am 62 and wish they had these when I was younger.
Posted by: Ycar | Nov 26, 2021 2:53:20 PM
E-Bikes would be safer for all if they could go at least 50kms an hr and be with the flow of traffic. If that means that insurance is required so be it. Now is the time to make these safe for everyone not wait till ten yrs from now like cell phones and texting.
Posted by: emjit | Nov 28, 2021 1:52:39 PM
Legislate these hazards right off the planet. These riders and their e bikes are a constant concern and should not be allowed on the road unless they are licensed as motorcycles, insured as a motorcycle and can go at least as fast as the normal traffic flow.
In many instances the riders break traffic laws any time they want, they cut across streets (jayriding) anywhere, they don't adhere to any traffic laws that i can see and there's absolutely no accountability. They ride on sidewalks, bikepaths, medians, pretty much anywhere they deem fit for their numptybikes.
You don't need a helmet and Wearing a bicycle helmet pushed up onto your forehead will not stop your melon from exploding on impact.
Just because the thing has pedals does not make it a bicycle, its a moped.
What possible reasons could there be for not licensing these vehicles and their drivers and subsequently making them have insurance. For all of our sakes, road test, then license and insure them like everyone else using a motorized vehicle.
or
get them the heck off the roads, especially in the winter............
Its illegal to drive an ATV on the road yet it has to be licensed and insured. (against what i'm still not sure)
Its illegal to drive a dirt bike or a 2 stroke motocrosser on the road yet they have to be licensed and insured.(against what I'm also not sure), but I'm not willing to take the chance of being caught without it even on crown land, so I pay for it every year just like most conscientious law abiding citizens do.
So,
How is it ok for e bikes to be considered more or less special when they have the potential to kill just like any other projectile?
If your not going to make the owner responsible then its a pretty clear path of accountability to the stores that sell them without any restrictions. Make Wal Mart etc responsible and the sales would drop to zero and we wouldn't have to deal with the issue anymore.
Posted by: anon | Nov 29, 2021 11:22:39 AM
T Chamberlain ahhahahaahha i couldn't agree more .....im dying laughingjust thinking aboutit now