There's been a significant increase in e-bike traffic on local roads, and members of the Altona Police Service will be spending the summer months raising awareness of the laws regarding the vehicles.
According to Sergeant Shawn Tarnick, two areas where officers are seeing non-compliance is drivers meeting the minimum age requirement.
"We are seeing children, twelve/thirteen-year-olds, that are driving e-bikes, and we've actually seen it younger. So, that's a no-no," he commented, adding you have to be at least 14 years-old to legally operate an e-bike on the road.
Sgt. Tarnick adds, they are also seeing drivers shirk the mandatory helmet law.
"Very little compliance in regards to that one," he said. "That's a safety thing. These things can travel up to 32 km/h and, if you have an accident, you are going to get hurt. It's no different than a motorcycle, in my mind. People make that conscious decision that, if you ride a motorcycle, you wear a helmet."
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Classified as power-assisted bicycles under the Highway Traffic Act, e-bikes must have a maximum speed of 32 km/h and are considered vehicles under the Highway Traffic Act. They also have the same right-of-way rules as a regular bicycle, added Tarnick. This means they are generally permitted on roadways and shoulders of highways.
"They have to follow the rules of a bike. Drivers have to ride as close to the curb as possible," explained Sgt.Tarnick.
You also can't drive two-abreast down the road, he added.
"I've seen a couple of families with these power-assisted bikes that are driving side-by-side. Yeah, 32 kilometers per hour is fast, but it's not 50 kilometers and you are impeding traffic."
E-bikes must also have a handlebar and pedals, designed to travel on not more than three wheels, and capable of being propelled by muscle power.
So, what will this increased enforcement look like?
According to Sgt. Tarnick, it'll be soft in the beginning, focusing more on education.
"You're going to be stopped, given a warning for the infractions. We're going to record your name and, obviously, repeat offenses won't be tolerated. So, if you do breach one of these rules, all of them can be ticketed under the Highway Traffic Act."