Fw: E-Bikes

[Forest Pearson]

Here is some work going on at the national level regarding cycling.

Best regards,

-Forest Pearson

"Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious." - Stephen Hawking

----- Forwarded Message -----

From: Brian Pincott <e...@canadabikes.org>

To: Brian Pincott <e...@canadabikes.org>

Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2020, 6:42:45 a.m. GMT-8

Subject: E-Bikes

Good Morning,

As you may know, Vélo Canada Bikes has been working on the e-bike file for the last several months. This work has revolved around Transport Canada’s decision that in February of 2021 they are rescinding their definitions and regulations relating to e-bikes. This will leave the defining and regulating of e-bikes to each province. 

Our concern with this change is that it will leave Canada open to a patchwork of regulation across the country. This will create a huge challenge right across the board, with potentially one e-bike being legal in one province and not in another. As we have seen the e-bike market explode and demand growing at an almost exponential pace, this could create a significant barrier for e-bikes in Canada. A barrier for everyone from manufacturers, retailers, and users.  

VCB sent a letter this week to the Prime Minister asking for a delay on the rescinding of the federal regulations around e-bikes as well as to consider a more wholistic approach to federal regulations. 

This is the time that we need federal direction to ensure regulatory consistency across Canada. As the micro-mobility sector is exploding and developing, and more and more people are seeing the potential of active transportation, we must ensure access to e-bikes across the country.

I’ve attached the letter for your information. 

The embracing of active transportation that we have seen in response to the pandemic, with more people realizing we have a choice of transportation other than the private automobile, is a very positive direction. VCB will continue to work with all our partners to support cycling for everyone, everywhere. 

Brian

Brian Pincott (he/him/il)

Executive Director

Directeur Executif

Vélo Canada Bikes

e...@canadabikes.org

403-701-6335

@Canada_Bikes

www.canadabikes.org

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