Prohibited Drivers and Ebikes

Question: I have recently read a number of articles regarding prohibited drivers using ebikes as a sources of transportation. Some people have questioned if this was legal or not as they assumed these ebikes were governed under the Motor Vehicles Branch regulations.

Could you please provide some clarity for this concern.

Prohibited Drivers Can't Drive Motor Vehicles

The Motor Vehicle Act makes it an offence to drive a motor vehicle on a highway or industrial road while suspended or prohibited.

"motor vehicle" means a vehicle, not run on rails, that is designed to be self-propelled or propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires;

An Ebike is not a Motor Vehicle

"cycle" means a device having any number of wheels that is propelled by human power and on which a person may ride and includes a motor assisted cycle, but does not include a skate board, roller skates or in-line roller skates;

As you can see, a motor assisted cycle (MAC) or ebike is considered to be a bicycle under the law, not a motor vehicle.

Motor Assisted Cycle

A MAC or ebike has to meet ALL of the criteria set out in law. Motor assisted cycle requirements are set out in the Motor Assisted Cycle Regulation.

The obvious caution: if the motor assisted cycle has had the pedals removed, it is no longer a cycle and becomes a motor vehicle.

ICBC has more information to help you decide if your vehicle is a cycle or a motorcycle on their web site.

If It's Not a MAC, It's a Motor Vehicle

If the vehicle is not a cycle or a MAC then it is a motor vehicle and requires a license to drive. If you are suspended or prohibited from driving you may be charged if you are riding a non-conforming ebike on a highway.

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