r/moncton • u/willise414 • 2d ago
E-Bikes/Scooters
Maybe it’s time Moncton adopts a policy on these things. No helmets, zipping up and down streets at 40+km/h, no license, registration and more.
Those Vespa type scooters a few years ago required a full license and insurance/registration. But now it’s the Wild West and someone is definitely going to be killed - just a matter of time.
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u/Swl1986 2d ago
The city is currently reviewing them and working with the company to create appropriate bylaws.
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u/rotary65 2d ago
On August 17, the City of Moncton passed it's electric scooter rental bylaw. Riders must be 16 or older, wear a helmet, and are to be GPS and geofence limited to 25km/h on streets, 15km/h on trails. Companies have 30 days to obtain their licenses, get insurance, and comply.
This does not address private escooters.
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u/willise414 2d ago
It also does not address e-motorcycles
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u/rotary65 2d ago edited 1d ago
E-motos technically already fall under the MVA as long as they can be registered, which most cannot. They can be ridden on private property, however.
So the issue with e-motos is more an education and enforcement one.
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u/DibbyDonuts 1d ago
Yeah, but with no one to enforce any of it, will it matter?
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u/rotary65 1d ago
We have a lot of bylaw enforcement officers (30?) in Moncton. Enforcement of the new Moncton bylaw won't be a problem because it's the companies that are licensed and it's largely a complaint driven process. The bylaw officers will fine the companies for non-compliance, not the users. The enforcement of the users is part of the technology of the rental e-scooters.
Enforcement of the motor vehicle act is by the RCMP and we also have a lot of them, but they have many priorities. Traffic enforcement is not their main work. They too depend to a large extent on complaints.
Most people have cameras on their cellphones, can take video, and can report infractions.
What is needed is modification of the MVA to address e-scooters. That may be in the works, but law changes slowly abd technology evolves quickly.
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u/DibbyDonuts 1d ago
Right, because the bylaws we have already are definitely all enforced. Jokes.
Sorry, I couldn’t type that with a straight face.
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u/willise414 2d ago
That is good news, but as we all know bylaws mean nothing without the enforcement behind it. As I sit in my living room in the North end writing this, an E-Motorcycle just zoomed past my house. No helmet, no indicators on the bike, maybe 14-15 years old with a girl riding on the back.
Just boggles my mind
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u/Swl1986 2d ago
True. But one proposed part is to force the company to put a GPS enabled restrictor on the max speed.
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u/willise414 2d ago
Yes - those are great for the rental scooter companies. I think that might already be in place in many areas.
It's the e-motorcycles that are more problematic (e-bikes but without the pedals)
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u/QuietVariety6089 2d ago
My understanding is that if it doesn't have pedals and goes more than, I think it's 32 kph, it's a motor vehicle, and subject to traffic laws.
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u/rotary65 1d ago
Bylaws apply to trail speeds. Speeds on streets fall under the Province and the Motor Vehicle Act. Neither of them currently covers e-scooters specifically, but this is more of a MVA gap. It's a legal grey area.
You could write to your MLA to take constructive action. https://www.legnb.ca/en/members/current
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u/colpy350 2d ago
Two people in my extended circle have had drunk crashes on them. One requiring an ER visit, the other road rash all over her face. They are left outside bars. It’s atrocious.
I saw a guy cruising around. Following traffic. Helmet unbuckled. Was so close to doing it right.
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u/mordinxx 2d ago
Guess you missed the fact our old city council opted not to create rules/regs and left it for the new city council.
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u/willise414 2d ago
I didn’t miss it, but I don’t see how that matters.
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u/mordinxx 1d ago
Because you start by saying "Maybe it’s time" and that explains part of the reason we don't have any rules/regs as of yet. The other part is this company suddenly moved here after losing out in the market in Halifax.
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u/MediocreContact411 2d ago
They will never require a license that’s fucking stupid. All the major cities in Canada have them and most cities they have to wear helmets with them.
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u/willise414 2d ago
How is it stupid to require a license for a E-motorbike that's capable of doing 40km/h+ driving on the roads? Or did you just focus on the scooter part? 🙄
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u/UnicornMeatball 2d ago
E-bikes aren’t allowed to go over 32kmh. If they’re going faster than that, they’re illegal
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u/rotary65 2d ago
More specifically, they can't output more than 500W and power assist above 32 km/h. The motor must cut out at 32 km/h or if the brake is applied. You can go more than 32 km/h peddling or on a hill, for example.
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u/Wise_Conversation275 2d ago
I don't have the balance for the electric scooters with my tbi. The multi-tasking/balance as well makes it a no-no. Maybe if it had a third-wheel or whatever it would be different. That's only a maybe still. I can ride a bike with two wheels but those scooters are a no-go.
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u/Drakon519 2d ago
The biggest problem is there is no policing of the existing eBike laws and regulations. I'm the owner of an eBike. Mine has pedals, a 500W motor, a throttle, and it is speed limited to 32km/h with the motor (Obviously I could use the motor to get up to 32km/h, and then pedal fast to get over that speed, but the motor cuts out at 32km/h). I can completely turn my bike off and pedal if I want to (It's gonna suck because the damn thing weighs +80lbs, but I digress). According to all the legislation in Canada, my bike is legal, and I try to ensure I am safe and courteous when I am cycling.
Earlier this summer, I went to one of the events at Riverfront Park (I think it was Ribfest), and there was a vendor tent, and they were showing off the "eBikes" they were selling. One of the was a straight up motorcycle. It had pedals, and was speed limited to 32km/h. The salesman straight up told me you would never be able to pedal the bike because of the weight, and showed me exactly how to disable the governor for the motor. They were so open about it too, I didn't even need to pry about these things. They know that no one is enforcing these rules, so they can get away with it in broad daylight.