Should Electric Bikes Be Treated Like Regular Bikes?

My wife and I, at 59 and over 70 years old still enjoy riding everyday. Without the additional boost from the electric assist we would no longer be able to ride because of the steep hills in our area. Bike riders should be aware that as a tax payer, I have paid for these bike trails and have as much right to use them as anyone. I see many times that the handicapped are also left out of conversations when considering the use of our national lands. This is all our lands, not just a few.
Thank you
Bill Downer

Ebikes are THE most cost-effective EV possible and what's needed is massive adoption of them if we're going to have any real environmental impact. GM and Big Gov't would have us all line up to purchase a “Green” Chevy Volt etc but the truth is that those 4-wheeled monsters are barely more responsible than their gas-powered brethren. Those 4-door Ecars will still clog-up traffic and only the rich will be able to afford them.

By limiting Ebikes to 32kph, they truly are performance-equivalent to bicycles. This "slippery-slope" argument being used against "scooter-style" Ebikes is contrived by those purists at the Toronto Bike Union who feel the bike paths belong to them and them alone. They've been lobbying MTO to restrict access to what they define as "bad-style" Ebikes but you can be certain that if MTO regulators ride to their rescue, the result will be weakened incentives for people to ride any Ebike. These slippery-slopers hide behind a false “safety” argument but it’s just a fig-leaf for Green Nimbyism.

Bill Downer is typical of the massive number of real people who will get out of their cars and scoot around responsibly IF they’re given proper incentives to ride an Ebike. He and all Ebikers deserve full access to bike lanes, regardless of the "style” of their Ebike or the muscle tone of their calves.

All other Canadian Provinces are sincere about adopting the excellent Ebike definition contained in the Federal legislation of 2001 … Ontario (oops, Downtown Toronto) stands alone in its navel gazing about slippery slopes and unsafe “styles” of Ebike. C’mon guys, the big picture says that ALL Ebikes need some legal TLC.

my2cents

I'm say electric-assist is the definition of eBike. I just got one -- it's fabulous! It should have solar and peddle power, tho, rather than lithium. Why not? Anyone researching that? I also have a motorcycle. I think the peddle is what should be used to resolve the bike trail issue. If it's peddle power -- even with assist, it goes. If it's a scooter with no peddles, like the eGo or moped, then it belongs on the street, IMHO. As for senior/disabled scooters, perhaps specifically designated paths and trails, so kids and other cyclists are warned and older folks feel safer, too.

Wake up bike shops and start carrying ebikes to cater to a new market of customers - the millions and millions of Bill Downers of the World. I called about 20 bike shops before I found my Pedego Electric Bike and ended up buying from a Scooter Shop. Bike shops seem to have an aversion to them. I think it is because they are all pedalersand dont want the bikepaths too crowded. But we all pay taxes, don't we?