An advisory group is urging the Ontario government to refine its criteria for classifying e-bikes in a bid to enhance safety and lower the incidence of fatal accidents. This proposal is among seven recommendations outlined in a review of e-bike fatalities jointly produced by Ontario’s chief coroner office and various stakeholders, which was made public recently.
The initiative stemmed from a project initiated in 2021 by the Ottawa Fatal Collision Review Committee, a local coalition comprising law enforcement, public health authorities, municipal personnel, and other specialists. During that year, the committee observed five recent local fatalities involving e-bike riders:
– A male in his 60s who was struck by a car while making a turn at an intersection.
– A male in his 50s who lost control of his e-bike, veered off the road, and collided with a light pole.
– A male in his 50s who was biking in a designated lane when he was hit by a car turning into a parking area.
– A male in his 50s who crashed after swerving to avoid a pedestrian.
– A male in his 30s who collided with the rear of an SUV.
The report highlighted commonalities in all the incidents, noting that all e-bikes appeared to have been altered to exceed their original speed specifications. Each e-bike resembled more of a motorcycle or moped rather than a pedal-assisted bicycle, rendering them unfit for such use.
Furthermore, three individuals possessed suspended licenses at the time of their deaths, while the other two had previous suspensions, suggesting they were employing e-bikes as substitutes for registered and licensed vehicles. Additionally, four out of the five victims tested positive for drugs at the time of the accidents.
Dr. Louise McNaughton-Filion, the regional supervising coroner for eastern Ontario, expressed concern about these findings, emphasizing the safety implications. The existing regulations in Ontario stipulate that e-bikes must not exceed 32 km/h in speed and should not be modified to surpass this limit. However, these e-bikes can weigh up to 120 kilograms. The revised definition recommended in the report proposes reducing the maximum weight to 55 kilograms, less than half of the current limit.
The report also advises the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to contemplate a distinct classification for larger, motorcycle-style e-bikes, potentially requiring users to have licenses and insurance, which is not mandatory for e-bike users at present. Additionally, it calls for enhanced diligence and consistency among agencies in compiling and monitoring statistics on e-bike-related injuries and fatalities.
McNaughton-Filion highlighted the potential benefits of e-bikes, such as environmental sustainability and improved mobility for individuals with health conditions. She stressed the importance of ensuring safety alongside these advantages. While the report was publicly disclosed this week, McNaughton-Filion mentioned that the MTO and other entities are currently assessing the recommendations. The MTO stated in a Friday evening release that it is considering feedback from stakeholders regarding potential strategies for establishing new regulations and definitions for e-bikes.
