Toronto's bicycle lanes will now be open to those riding electric bikes after city council on Thursday voted to allow the motorized two-wheelers access to the same space as those peddling with their own legs.
According to the motion, e-bikes weighing less than 40 kilograms and requiring pedalling for propulsion will be allowed access to bicycle lanes. Bikes that can be driven solely by "any power other than muscular power" will be excluded.
Over the last few years, the issue of where e-bikes can safely operate has been a hotly debated topic in the city. In other Canadian municipalities, such as Ottawa, e-bikes, including scooters, are already allowed on bicycle lanes.
But despite Toronto's new rules being consistent with other cities, council's decision on Thursday was quickly met with disappointment by some cyclists.
E-bikes in bike lanes? Time for highway traffic act to address these monstrosities! #TOpoli #onpoli
— zjc (@zjanelle) February 21, 2014
Any injuries to cyclists caused by eBikes in bike lanes will be City Council's responsibility. #bikeTO
— ARC (@RespectTO) February 21, 2014
Shame! MT @SharkDancing: Motion carries 21-18. Committee decision reversed, e-bikes are now legal in bike lanes. #BikeTO #TOpoli
— Robert Zaichkowski (@RZaichkowski) February 21, 2014