Electric Bike & Electric Scooter Laws & Regulations in Ontario

Riding an e-bike:

What you need to know riding an electric bicycle in Ontario.

About e-bikes

A power-assisted bicycle, also called an electric bicycle or e-bike, is a bicycle with an electric motor that has:

• a handlebar for steering
• working pedals
• two or three wheels
• an electric motor
• braking systems
• E-bikes must meet certain requirements to be legally operated on roads in Ontario. This includes weight and speed limits.

When riding an e-bike, you must:

• be 16 or older
• wear an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet
• keep your e-bike in good working order
• follow the same rules of the road as other cyclists
• Learn more about safe cycling and how to ride on the road.

Where you can ride:

You can ride your e-bike on most roads and highways where conventional bicycles are permitted, with some exceptions.

You cannot ride your e-bike on:

• certain provincial controlled access highways, such as the 400 series, the Queen Elizabeth Way, the Queensway in Ottawa or the Kitchener-Waterloo Expressway
• municipal roads, including sidewalks, where bicycles are banned under municipal bylaws
• municipal roads, sidewalks, bike paths, bike trails or bike lanes where e-bikes are prohibited

E-bike requirements:

To operate an e-bike in Ontario, the e-bike must have:

• a maximum assisted speed of 32 km/h
• a maximum weight of 120 kg (includes the weight of the bike and battery)
• an electric motor not exceeding 500 watts
• no modifications to the motor to allow it to exceed a power output greater than 500 watts and an assisted speed greater than 32 km/h
• battery and electric motor securely fastened to the bicycle frame to prevent them from moving while the e-bike is operating
• all electrical terminals properly insulated
• minimum wheel width of 35 mm and minimum diameter of 350 mm
• two independent braking systems that applies force to each wheel and is capable of bringing the e-bike, while being operated at a speed of 30 km/h, to a full stop within 9 metres, on a level asphalt surface, from the point at which the brakes were applied
• Removing the pedals makes the e-bike a motor vehicle, which requires a licence, insurance and registration to operate.
• It is also illegal to modify your e-bike’s electric motor to make it more powerful or to increase the assisted speed of the bike.
  

Electric kick-style scooters (e-scooters)

What you need to know riding an e-scooter in Ontario and how to participate in the pilot program.

About e-scooters

An electric kick-scooter (e-scooter) is a vehicle that has: 

• two wheels (one at the front and one at the back)
• a platform to stand on
• a handlebar for steering
• an electric motor that does not exceed 500 watts
• a maximum speed of 24 km/h on a level surface
• E-scooters come in different styles, weights and speed capabilities.

About the pilot program:

Ontario’s e-scooter pilot program allows municipalities to choose where and how e-scooters may be used

The pilot is running from January 1, 2020 to November 27, 2024.

The pilot program sets out requirements for:
 

• helmets
• minimum age for riders
• weight and speed restrictions
  

Municipalities that choose to allow e-scooters are responsible for:

• where e-scooters may be operated (for example, on roads and bike paths, in parks and on trails)
• where e-scooters may park
• whether a business permit or licence is required for e-scooter companies
• whether insurance is required (the type and coverage)
• how people can give feedback on e-scooter use in their municipality
• other considerations relevant to the use of e-scooters in the municipality
• We will use the information gathered from municipalities during the pilot to help determine if e-scooters will be allowed permanently in Ontario and if so, what the rules will be regarding their operation.

Check with your municipality to find out whether e-scooters are allowed and if so, what the requirements are.

Municipalities

Municipalities that want to allow e-scooters to operate on their roads must pass bylaws to permit their use and set out specific requirements based on what is best for their communities.

The municipal guidelines outline best practices for municipalities participating in the pilot program.

Municipalities must inform the Ministry of Transportation that they are participating in the pilot, by contacting REO@ontario.ca. Municipalities are also required to investigate all collisions involving e-scooters on their roads and provide written reports, including the details of each collision, to the ministry.

E-scooter requirements

E-scooters allowed under the pilot must have:

• a maximum speed of 24 km/h on a level surface
• a maximum weight of 45 kg
• a maximum power output of 500 watts
• two wheels and brakes
• a horn or bell
• at least one white light on front, one red light on rear and reflective material on sides
• a maximum wheel diameter of 17 inches

E-scooters must not have:

• pedals
• a seat
• a basket

Operator requirements. To operate an e-scooter under the terms of the pilot you must:

• be at least 16 years old
• stand at all times while riding
• wear a bicycle helmet if under 18 years old

You are not permitted to:

• carry passengers
• carry cargo
• operate an e-scooter on controlled access highways (for example, 400-series highways, QEW, etc.)
• Other requirements
• Similar to bicycles, all Highway Traffic Act rules of the road apply when riding e-scooters. Penalties will also apply to violations of the pilot regulation (fine of $250 to $2,500).

For the full list of pilot requirements, please see Ontario Regulation Electric Kick-Scooters.