eBike Laws in Canada
When it comes to eBikes, many different people have different desires. Some people like their bikes to have fat tires for a more comfortable ride, while others prefer a step-through ebike that allows them to get off and on with ease. However you like to ride your bike, the main ways that your ebike is going to generate that power is through the Pedal Assist System and the throttle.
The pedal assist system and the throttle are factors that help differentiate electric bikes from regular bikes, and can play a big factor when it comes to purchasing the correct bike. Both the cadence sensor and the torque sensor are considered Pedal Assist Systems (PAS), which means that both these options will only engage the motor when the rider is pedalling, and it will disengage the motor when the rider is not pedalling.
The throttle, on the other hand, is like a "gas pedal" in a car, it will engage the motor only when you press on it, and not engage the motor when you don't. You only need one of the 3 options to be able to use an ebike, however, it is through these different mediums that the classification of ebikes can arise.
When researching eBikes, it can arise that there are three classifications of eBikes; Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3. Class 1 eBikes are considered to be pedal assist ONLY, meaning no throttle is included with the bikes, as well as being limited to 32km/h. Class 2 eBikes are considered to have pedal assist up to 32km/h, as well as a throttle that can go up to 32km/h. Finally, the Class 3 of eBikes is considered to be pedal assist ONLY, but reaches speeds up to 45km/h.
HOWEVER, in the great nation of Canada, we do not follow these same classifications of eBikes. Rather, E-bikes are federally defined under the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (MVSR) as power-assisted bicycles. There are other specifications that follow this, such as:
- Electric motor equal or less than 500W
- Max assisted speed no greater than 32 km/h on level ground
- Must have working pedals
- No throttle-only operation beyond 32 km/h
Here at Teslica, our bikes follow these classifications and requirements! For example…
Teslica Freedom City Elite C3H
A high-performance, step-through comfort commuter ebike.
- Motor: 500W rear hub
- Top Speed: 32 km/h
- Assist Modes: Pedal Assist + Thumb Throttle
- Battery: 48V long-range lithium
- Compliance: Fully conforms to Transport Canada’s definition of a “power-assisted bicycle”
A compact, foldable city ebike built for portability and convenience.
- Motor: 500W rear hub
- Top Speed: 32 km/h (pedal-assist or throttle)
- Assist Modes: Pedal Assist + Throttle
- Battery: 48V 15AH Samsung
- Compliance: Meets Canada’s federal safety and speed requirements
These eBikes share traits with a Class 2 U.S. ebike, but are speed-governed per Canadian rules. Provinces and municipalities can have their own rules as well, so make sure to enrich yourself with your local laws!
