The Rulebook · draft under verification
E-bike law in Canada (Federal).
The rules at a glance
- Max motor power
- 500 W
- Assist cutoff
- 32 km/h
- Minimum age
- None specified
- Helmet
- Not specified
- Licence required
- Not specified / unsettled
- Registration required
- Not specified / unsettled
What the statute actually says
Under the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations, a 'power-assisted bicycle' has steering handlebars and pedals, can be propelled by muscular power, uses one or more electric motors totalling 500 W or less, and cannot provide assistance past 32 km/h on level ground. This definition was removed from the Regulations effective February 4, 2021, so Transport Canada now assesses imported e-bicycles by design characteristics, but the 500 W / 32 km/h benchmark remains the reference every province builds on. Federal rules govern only manufacture and import; on-road requirements such as minimum age, helmets, licensing and registration are set by each province and territory.
Draft summary under verification — not legal
advice. Confirm with the official source before relying on it. US riding-law guides are coming.