Federal e-bike rules in Canada

The federal rules, point by point

1. Until February 3, 2021, subsection 2(1) of the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations defined a "power-assisted bicycle": steering handlebars and pedals; not more than three wheels on the ground; able to be moved by muscle power; one or more electric motors with a total continuous output of 500 W or less; no motor help once the bike reaches 32 km/h on level ground; a permanent bilingual manufacturer's label; and either a separate motor on/off switch or a mechanism that stops the motor from starting below 3 km/h. Source: Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations, C.R.C., c. 1038, s. 2(1) "power-assisted bicycle" (version in force July 1, 2020 to February 3, 2021) (checked Nov 1, 2026)
2. Under that old definition, motor help had to stop as soon as the rider stopped pedalling (pedal assist), or as soon as the brakes were applied (when the motor was run by an accelerator controller). Source: Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations, C.R.C., c. 1038, s. 2(1) "power-assisted bicycle" (version in force July 1, 2020 to February 3, 2021) (checked Nov 1, 2026)
3. SOR/2020-22, section 3(2), repealed the definitions "power-assisted bicycle" and "restricted-use motorcycle" from the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations. The regulation was registered on February 4, 2020, and section 35(2) delayed this repeal by one year. Transport Canada says the definition has not been in force since February 4, 2021. Sources: SOR/2020-22, Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (National Safety Marks and Importation), ss. 3(2) and 35(2), and Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement (checked Nov 1, 2026) ; Importing non-regulated vehicles (power-assisted bicycles section) (checked Nov 1, 2026)
4. The current Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations show only "[Repealed, SOR/2020-22, s. 3]" where the power-assisted bicycle definition used to be. Source: Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations, C.R.C., c. 1038, s. 2(1) definitions (current to 2026-09-30) (checked Nov 1, 2026)
5. The federal impact statement for SOR/2020-22 says vehicles such as power-assisted bicycles and scooters "will now fall under provincial or territorial jurisdictions", and that provinces and territories decide whether to allow them and on what conditions. So power limits, speed limits, minimum age, helmets, licences and where you can ride are set by each province or territory. Source: SOR/2020-22, Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (National Safety Marks and Importation), ss. 3(2) and 35(2), and Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement (checked Nov 1, 2026)
6. At import, Transport Canada first looks at whether an e-bike is designed for on-road or off-road use. An e-bike with features like a scooter, motorcycle or motor tricycle is assessed as that type of vehicle, whatever its speed limit. E-bikes with off-road characteristics designed for 32 km/h or less are non-regulated at import; faster ones must meet import rules as restricted-use vehicles. For bikes with speed limiters, Transport Canada first looks at the speed the bike can reach without the limiter. Source: Importing non-regulated vehicles (power-assisted bicycles section) (checked Nov 1, 2026)
7. Transport Canada says e-bike use may be controlled in some areas of Canada and tells riders to check with their local government. Source: Importing non-regulated vehicles (power-assisted bicycles section) (checked Nov 1, 2026)
8. Health Canada says the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act excludes vehicles under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, and that this exclusion currently applies to e-bikes and e-scooters. Health Canada ran a pre-consultation on new lithium-ion battery rules for consumer products from December 2, 2025 to February 14, 2026. Source: Notice of intent – Proposed new requirements for lithium-ion batteries and consumer products containing them under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (checked Nov 1, 2026)
9. In Banff National Park, Parks Canada does not permit e-bikes on trails except pedal-assist e-bikes, and it lists the trails where those are permitted. It defines a pedal-assist e-bike as having pedals, motors of 500 W or less, no help above 32 km/h, and no motor start below 3 km/h. Source: E-bikes – Banff National Park (checked Nov 1, 2026)