A Complete Guide to Riding E-Bikes in Ontario

What is an E-Bike?

An electric bike, electric bicycle or e-bike is a bicycle with an added battery-powered electric motor that assists the rider in pedalling and increases the amount of power to the wheel. This enables the rider to pedal with less effort, climb hills, ride against the wind more easily and to travel longer distances. They are often referred to as pedal-assisted bikes.

It is an environmentally-friendly form of transportation that doesn’t require a license or insurance.  

There are two main operational modes for e-bikes:

• Pedal assist, also referred to as pedelc, is a mode that provides power only when you are pedaling. The electric assist makes it easier to pedal and gives you help going up hills, going longer distances or want to travel faster.  
• A throttle mode is similar to how a motorcycle or scooter operates. When the throttle is engaged, the motor provides power and propels you and the e-bike forward. A throttle allows you to pedal or just kick back and enjoy a “free” ride!

They are many different styles of e-bikes available from conventional bicycles (fat tire, mountain bike, foldable and road) to scooter types.

According to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO), e-bikes in Ontario must have:

• Steering handlebars
• Working pedals
• A maximum braking distance of nine metres
• An electric motor that cannot provide power assist at a speed greater than 32 kilometres per hour and a power output not exceeding 500 watts
• A maximum weight of 120 kilograms (including bike and battery)
• The capability of being operated with muscular power
• Wheels with a diameter of at least 350 millimetres and width of at least 35 millimetres
• A permanent label from the manufacturer in both English and French stating that your e-bike conforms to the federal definition of a power-assisted bicycle

Confusing use of term "e-bike"

Many retailers, businesses and trail management groups use the general term “e-bike” when describing a variety of e-bicycles, e-motorcycles, e-scooters, e-mobility vehicles, e-toys, e-ATVs, e-dirt bikes and e-trikes (three wheels).

If these electric vehicles do not meet MTO’s definition of an e-bike as shown above, they are not considered an e-bike under Ontario’s law and different rules and regulations will apply to them.  

As more alternative forms of transportation are developed, new rules, regulations and laws will come into effect. The Ontario Government has recently launched a new pilot project to permit electric kick scooters (e-scooters) on Ontario roads.  

For the purpose of this article, the term e-bike refers only to electric bicycles (e-bikes) as defined by the MTO and the electric bike laws governing them.

E-Bike Laws Ontario

The following information will help you learn the rules and regulations of electric bike laws and bike regulations in Ontario 2020 so you can ride legally and safely.

E-bikes and their operators in Ontario are treated, for the most part, in the same manner as bicycles and bicyclists under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA).

This means that all e-bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities to obey all traffic laws as other road users. Cyclists charged for disobeying traffic laws will be subject to a minimum set fine and a Victim Surcharge fine for most offences.

Full details on safety equipment, handling skills, riding in traffic, obstacles and road surfaces, cycling and the law are outlined in Ontario’s Guide to Safe Cycling.

A summary of the additional e-bike laws in Ontario are outlined below.

E-bike age, helmet, and license laws 

• E-bike Laws: All e-bike operators must be 16 years of age or older and all must wear an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet that fits properly. You do not need a driver’s license, vehicle permit or licence plate.
• Bicycle Laws: It is the law that every cyclist under the age of 18 must wear an approved bicycle helmet that fits properly. No license is required.

Passengers on an e-bike 

You can carry passengers on an e-bike, but only if it was designed for more than one person. Passengers must be at least 16 years old and must wear an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet.

E-bikes on roads, sidewalks, bike paths, bike trails and bike lanes

E-bikes are permitted on most roads and highways where conventional bikes are permitted, with some exceptions. Many municipalities, but not all, allow you to ride on “bike-only” lanes and paths as long as the motor is not engaged at any point. Make sure you check local regulations that affect where you may cycle in each municipality.

You cannot ride your e-bike:

• On certain provincial controlled access highways, such as 400 series, the Queen Elizabeth Way, the Queensway in Ottawa or the Kitchener-Waterloo Expressway
• On municipal roads, including sidewalks, where bicycles are banned under municipal by-laws
• On municipal roads, sidewalks, bike paths, bike trails, or bike lanes where e-bikes are prohibited

Best E-Bike Routes in Ontario

Cycling continues to grow more popular as a form of active transportation for commuting to work as well for as exploring Ontario’s beautiful landscapes, cities, towns and villages. It is great exercise for not only your physical health but for your mental health as well. Riding an e-bike in makes cycling easier and encourages people of all fitness levels to get out and enjoy the sport. It is especially useful in Northern Ontario where there are long distances between communities and many scenic but hilly landscapes to explore.

Be sure to check with local municipalities and/or trail organizations to confirm where you can ride legally. Below you'll find some of the best places to ride e-bikes in Ontario.

Sault Ste. Marie

The John Rowswell Hub Trail loops around Sault Ste. Marie and is a relatively flat and easy 24 kilometres. Starting from the boardwalk on the St. Marys River, the Hub Trail meanders through the city’s downtown and into the northwest corner through the Fort Creek Conservation Area, which features impressive views of marshlands. Stop to see interpretive plaques and the historic St. Marys Rapids, which were created in the wake of the glaciers of the last Ice Age, over 3,000 years ago. The rapids were also a gathering place and famous fishing area for Indigenous Anishnaabe people, who still refer to the area as “Bawating”—the place by the rapids. Note that there is a speed limit on the Hub Trail of 20 kilometres per hour. Only pedal-assisted e-bikes are permitted to be used on the trail. 

For mountain e-bikes, Hiawatha Highlands offers 36 kilometres of e-bike-accessible trails, ranging from green to black levels of difficulty. Trails such as the Old Highway are easy double-track through the forest, while you can experience tight and twisty fun on the more technical trails like the Wolf Tree. Note: Some trails, such as Anymel, are not e-bike-friendly. Check the entire trail system before riding. E-bikes in Hiawatha are only accessible if in pedal-assist mode. No other types of speed control such as handlebar throttles are allowed. The e-bike must follow the Government of Ontario ebike specifications and not exceed 32 kilometres per hour.

Another option for riding e-bikes in the Sault Ste. Marie area is the Lake Huron North Channel Waterfront Trail. Cycle from Lake Superior (west of Sault Ste. Marie) to Sudbury and tour some of the great Canadian landscapes that inspired the Group of Seven. View mini-guide, detailed daily itineraries, and maps.

Bike the Deer Trail, a 120-kilometre road touring route from Elliot Lake to Mississagi Provincial Park, southwest to Little White River and Iron Bridge then east to Blind River. 

STAY: The Mountainview Lodge has tons of personality—including a Red Caboose cabin.

EAT: The Taj Indian Cuisine is delicious and affordable.

SHOP: Hollywood Electric and Velorution rent e-bikes.

Timmins

Located just off Highway 101, e-bikers are welcome to discover an immense 55-kilometre network of crushed travel and mud trails that link a multitude of conservation areas and unique historical points in Timmins. The Mattagami Region Conservation Authority manages this beautiful network of trails that includes eight unique sections. The Bridge to Bridge is a favourite that traverses the banks of the Mattagami River. In the 1970s, 60 homes were relocated to accommodate the expanding floodplain; you can still see the old Eacom mill across the river. Back during the log boom, spruce, pine and fir were hauled in from the river shores. Bird-watchers also love the chance to see great blue heron and more.

The Scout Lake Road trail is another great gravel path (4 km) with marshes and marigolds in the spring that make for a nice adventure. Also, be sure to check out the cherry blossoms on the east side of the hospital. The Rainbow Lake lookout is a good stop for lunch with a sheltered wooden platform that juts out into the water.

Check Trailforks for access as a few trails in the network are not accessible to motorized bikes.

STAY: Centrally located, The Best Western Premier Northwood Hotel is a favourite of cyclists

EAT: Siva’s Family Restaurant has it all, and lots of it, including pasta, burgers and smoothies.

SHOP: Canadian Tire in Timmins sells bike accessories and e-bikes. Awesome E Rides has a wide selection of fat tire, mountain and road e-bikes for sale. 

Sudbury

Sudbury e-bike riders are lucky. The Rainbow Route, part of the Trans Canada Trail, offers an amazing 93 kilometres of paved or crushed gravel bike routes that traverse dozens of bridges, forests and lakeside views. If you want a nice, long ride without interruption, park at Moonlight Beach Road and ride west, hopping from island to island and eventually back to Bell Park near downtown. Choose from a handful of beaches, or plan your ride to attend an outdoor concert.

The Walden Mountain Bike Park has 15 kilometres of singletrack mountain bike trails; the best option for e-bikers is Dialed in, which is a series of trails linked together. Mostly blue and green skill level, the big push to a 244-metre hill in the middle, which means you have tons of time to warm up. The beauty of this trail is how it weaves through the dense birch forest without interruption.

Kivi Park is an all season, multi-sport recreation area on 480+ acres of Precambrian Shield. It offers exceptional mountain biking trails and cycling trails. Passes are required.

STAY: Centrally located, The Moonlight Inn & Suites has kitchenettes for hungry cyclists.

EAT: La Fromagerie is a trendy charcuterie spot with loads of fun spreads for sharing.

SHOP: Sessions Ride Co. has all you need to keep you moving. Sudbury E-Bike has a good selection of fat tire, mountain and road e-bikes for sale.

North Bay

The trails in the Laurentian Escarpment Conservation Area are a dense mountain biking network; be prepared to stop often as the loops mean you’re often heading into an intersection. Located near downtown North Bay, the elevation is moderate (around 100 metres) and you’re never far from your car. The view over the ski hill is a great stop for a rest before looping back in again.

The North Shore has five kilometres of technical mountain biking trails. There are tons of loops and it’s exceptionally maintained by a few retired teachers. It’s the kind of trail you can put your head down and go. Expect to climb with many steep sections and lookouts. Highlights include the Alta Via ridge to get a view of Trout Lake, Lake Nipissing and the outlying community of Callander.

For more subdued, gravel-style riding on backcountry roads and trails, the Ahmic Lake loop includes 40 kilometres of mixed gravel and paved surfaces. Be prepared to kick the e-bike into assist mode as the hills can be long. A highlight is riding on the Old Nipissing Road section to see remnants of former pioneer homes from the 1850s.

Kate Pace Way and Kinsmen Trail are North Bay’s two paved bike paths. E-bikes are allowed but only in pedal-mode only as there is a speed limit of 20 kilometres per hour.

STAY: With a great location and free breakfast, The Marriot is a cozy choice.

EAT: Fifty’s Diner is good ole’ fashion breakfast eggs to burgs and fries.

SHOP: Cycleworks has recently added a fleet of e-bikes if you’re looking to try or buy one.

Moonbeam

Imagine 29 kilometres of quiet trails in remote Northern Ontario. The Moonbeam Nature Trails have tranquility along with some cool picnic spots and historical sites. From downtown Moonbeam, you can ride the 11-kilometre paved section to Rene Brunelle Provincial Park and stop at the lookout on the west shore of Balsam Lake for lunch and the lakeside views.

For a historical romp, the nine-kilometre-long Nursery Loop has a formidable hill in the middle of the ride; luckily, you can kick your e-bike into high speed for some help. A highlight of this ride: cycling beside a field of transplanted trees, which were carefully selected to preserve their species in prime habitat.

STAY: The Comfort Inn is centrally located and includes free breakfast.

EAT: Drive 20 minutes on Highway 11 to Kapuskasing for Chez Lizette that serves fries on pizza!

SHOP: O’Reilly Sports is two hours south in Timmins, but it’s on your way to Moonbeam and can help with service and bike parts.

Haliburton

The Haliburton County Rail Trail is about 34 kilometres of crushed gravel and pavement along a former railway line. It all makes for a smooth, comfortable, long and quiet ride, passing through marshes and alongside a few rapids. Kinmount is a cute town with an old train station and sawmill museum. Here, the trail merges into the Victoria Rail Trail, which extends another 85 kilometres. Highlights include giant wetlands in Sturgeon Lake and the many heritage bridges.

The K & P Rail Line (Kingston to Pembroke) has an out and back section that is doable in a day at about 28 kilometres, with a stop in Calabogie. The full trail is the largest rail trail in Ontario at 180 kilometres. The wetlands and solitude are its main features, as well as giant rockcuts through limestone. The moss-covered slabs feel prehistoric.

STAY: Watch a concert, sip a beer and stay at the exceptionally cool Sharbot Lake Country Inn.

EAT: Hook, Line & Sinker in Haliburton has amazing wings and the Boshkung Brisket Sandwich is also a must-try.

SHOP: Algonquin Outfitters has several store locations in and around the Haliburton Highlands region.

E-Bike Tours in Ontario 

If you want to try e-cycling or if you are thinking about buying an e-bike, why not take a tour to see if you like it? It’s a fun, safe and easy way to do a test drive.

Escape Bicycle Tours in Ottawa offers a two-hour electric bike tour around the nation's capital. Visit historic landmarks, popular attractions and hidden gems.

ebike The Bench Wine Tours runs e-bike tours in Niagara. You'll cruise between vineyards where you can sample some of the finest wines in Canada.

Go farther go faster

Cycling on e-bikes in Ontario share many of the same health and mental benefits as traditional bicycle riding and can give the rider a little extra boost when needed to conquer hills and longer distances. 

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