About ebike Classificiations

Ebikes are designed and engineered to fit into a specific classification, based on which country they are intended for, and what the purpose of the ebike is. Also important to know, most ebikes are designed for multiple classifications, which is configured in the software, and locked in by the manufacturer.

So what's the difference? In Canada we have a wide variety of ebikes that are manufactured all around the world. However, any ebike imported into Canada must fit into an ebike class that is legal within Canadian law. Here's a quick summary of the 3 classes, what you should know when shopping for your ebike, and what to look out for when bikes are misrepresented.

For the purpose of this article, we will focus on Canadian regulations as they apply in most provinces.

CLASS 1

The rule of thumb is that ebikes MUST have pedals and a bicycle drive-train. If these components are missing, then the bike is not considered an ebike and falls under a different a regulation. Consult your local laws and insurance providers for specifics. Class 1 bikes are restricted to 32 km/h and do not include a throttle. Class one bikes are legal to use on any path that a regular bike is allowed on, including road-ways, but as with all bikes they are not allowed on sidewalks. Motor power is limited to 500-watts.

CLASS 2

As with class 1 bikes, class 2 bikes are restricted to 32km/h, but have the added benefit of a throttle. These ebikes can be used on all paths that regular bikes are allowed on, just like class 1 ebikes. Class 2 ebikes still include pedals and a conventional drive-train; the motor will engage with both the throttle as well as when pedalling. Motor power is limited to 500-watts.

CLASS 3

This class is predominantly found in Europe and America where the laws are different. Here in Canada class-3 is restricted to "off road" and private roadways; most manufactures will not sell class 3 bikes in Canada. If a store tells you otherwise, this should be a red flag and will not be legal on public roads or bike paths. With a speed of 45 km/h and maximum power of 750-watts, it is the fastest ebike classification, however very limited in their use in Canada. In some cases, the manufacture provides an option to "release" the bike to class-3 performance, but they often require a signed waiver that the customer understands the legalities and the manufacturer is not liable for its use. At Reckless, we only sell class 1 and 2 bikes, and the majority of our brands have complied fully with Canadian law, making it impossible to "jailbreak" the software without voiding your warranty.

OTHER ELECTRIC MOBILITY

It's important to know as well, that there are other vehicles on the road that have electric motors, but do not necessarily fit into ebike regulations. We recommend reviewing official government and insurance documents for additional details, as they fall under different license and insurance policies. The rule of thumb is that ebikes MUST have pedals and a bicycle drive-train.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

Major brands like Shimano, Bosch, Tern and Gazelle are already in full compliance with Canadian law and don't need to be confirmed. However, with all the brands now available and new ones popping up all the time, we recommend looking out for the following red-flags. Companies that are advertising bikes with more than 750-watt motors, or speeds at 45km/h or higher are selling a bike that is NOT legal on public roads, and is not classified for Canada.

We hope this guide helps clarify any confusion you may have had, and we welcome you to visit us and experience the ebike lifestyle.