What is happening at the MTO? The short answer . . . I don’t know and they aren’t giving anything away.
I did write to them a couple of weeks ago to ask what was to happen next after the deadline for submitting comments on their ‘proposal’ had passed. I was told that they were analyzing the comments received.
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A vendor in Toronto tells me he pressed the MTO for some sort of ‘bone’ to indicate what they were thinking, since he has found that a lot of people who he speaks with are holding off on buying an e-bike until they know what the MTO decides. The MTO reported back that they discussed this request but declined to give any ‘bones.’
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From a vendor in Ottawa, I hear of a single mother who acquired an e-bike as alternative mode transportation for herself and her three year old daughter, who is continually harassed by conventional cyclists when she uses the extensive bike trail system in Ottawa. In response to his abuse she has been altering her routes and taking other measures but is now to the point where she wants to sell her e-bike.
The National Capital Commission (NCC) that manages the bike trails, originally banned e-bikes but has since revised its position and now permits their use.
The situation in which this woman finds herself, has been brought to the attention of various authorities in Ottawa and the MTO, but so far no action appears to have been taken.
I would have to say that this situation can be traced, to a large extent, to the lack of clarity or public education about e-bikes from the MTO.
P.S. If you were wondering, the child wears a Harley-Davidson child harness and a bike helmet.
Read the full story in the Ottawas Citizen (courtesy of Charles Jonah at Jademark._ See the story on CBC.
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From Newmarket, I hear of a scooter-style e-bike rider who was charged with offenses under the Highway Traffic Act. Correspondence with the York Regional Police cited the MTO’s concern about scooter-style e-bikes (i.e. that they meet the letter but not the intent) but more specifically indicated that there may not have been the required label on the e-bike. The correspondence also indicated that the officer did consult with other officers and sources before laying the charges and that the validity of the charges was to be determined by the courts.
We will have to see how this one goes.
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I sent a copy of my Open Letter to James Bradley to opposition party Transportation Critics Peter Tabuns (NDP – Toronto-Danforth) and John O’Toole (PC – Durham) and received positive and interested responses from both. I will be meeting with John O’Toole later in August (his office is nearby in Bowmanville.) John also mentioned that he was Transportation Critic temporarily and the job has now returned to Frank Klees (PC – Newmarket-Aurora).
Reports from other e-bikers who have met with their local MPPs indicate that the correct focus for communication is to James Bradley (St. Catherines) the Minister of Transportation.
Keep those cards, letters and e-mails going . . .
Warren
I am wondering about the bikes from Daymak. they dont have The sticker reading that this is an ebike
Daymak E-bikes do have the required sticker. On most models it is located beneath the front of the seat, behind your legs. It reads “This vehicle is a power assisted bicycle and meets all of the requirements under section 1.2.1 of the Canada motor vehicle safety regulations.”