Province · Last checked
E-bike laws in Manitoba
Manitoba's Highway Traffic Act defines a "power-assisted bicycle" itself: pedals, at most 3 wheels, an electric motor rated 500 W or less that gives no power above 32 km/h, and a throttle is allowed if the motor cuts out when you brake. It is not a motor vehicle, so no licence, registration or Autopac is needed. Riders must be 14 or older, and everyone on the bike must wear a helmet.
The law in Manitoba calls an e-bike a “power-assisted bicycle”.
This summary comes from the rules below, each with its source and the date we checked it. All sources for Manitoba
The rules at a glance
What Manitoba’s law says about each e-bike rule, with the source we read and when we checked it.
If an e-bike is over the limits
The Highway Traffic Act counts any self-propelled vehicle as a motor vehicle unless it is excluded, and power-assisted bicycles are excluded only if they meet the definition (500 W, 32 km/h, pedals, electric motor only). An e-bike outside the definition is a motor vehicle, which needs a driver's licence and registration with number plates under The Drivers and Vehicles Act (ss. 4(1) and 34).
Sources: The Highway Traffic Act, C.C.S.M. c. H60, ss. 1(1) ("bicycle", "drive", "motor vehicle", "power-assisted bicycle", "vehicle"), 145, 147, 149, 150, 193(1), 239(1) (current as of October 28, 2026) (checked ) ; The Drivers and Vehicles Act, C.C.S.M. c. D104, ss. 1(2), 4(1), 34 (current as of October 28, 2026) (checked )
Fines and penalties
- Preset ticket totals (Preset Fines and Offence Descriptions Regulation, in effect since September 11, 2026): riding a power-assisted bicycle under age 14 (HTA s. 145(2)) $113; no properly fitted and fastened helmet (s. 145(4)) $113; carrying more people than the bike is built for (s. 147(1)) $113; riding where or when prohibited (s. 150(5)) $113; owner letting someone under 14 ride (s. 145(3)) $143; failing to obey a sign, traffic control device or peace officer (s. 145(1)) $203. Source: Preset Fines and Offence Descriptions Regulation, M.R. 96/2017, Schedule A (HTA ss. 145, 147, 150) and Schedule B (fine categories) (in effect since September 11, 2026) (checked )
- General penalty: unless another penalty is set, breaking the Highway Traffic Act or its regulations carries a fine of up to $2,000 on conviction (HTA s. 239(1)). Source: The Highway Traffic Act, C.C.S.M. c. H60, ss. 1(1) ("bicycle", "drive", "motor vehicle", "power-assisted bicycle", "vehicle"), 145, 147, 149, 150, 193(1), 239(1) (current as of October 28, 2026) (checked )
Good to know
- Manitoba's definition (HTA s. 1(1)) stands on its own and does not rely on the old federal rule: a handlebar and pedals, no more than 3 wheels, can be pedalled, an electric motor only, rated 500 W or less at the shaft, power stops when you stop pedalling (pedal assist) or when you brake (throttle), no motor power above 32 km/h, and either an on/off switch separate from the throttle or a motor that won't engage below 3 km/h. Source: The Highway Traffic Act, C.C.S.M. c. H60, ss. 1(1) ("bicycle", "drive", "motor vehicle", "power-assisted bicycle", "vehicle"), 145, 147, 149, 150, 193(1), 239(1) (current as of October 28, 2026) (checked )
- Helmets: everyone riding on or operating a power-assisted bicycle on a highway or bicycle facility must wear a properly fitted and fastened protective helmet (HTA s. 145(4)) that meets one of the bicycle helmet standards in the Bicycle Helmets Regulation (Snell B-95 or B-90A, ASTM F1447, the U.S. federal standard 16 CFR 1203, EN 1078, AS/NZS 2063, or a standard of comparable protective quality). Sources: The Highway Traffic Act, C.C.S.M. c. H60, ss. 1(1) ("bicycle", "drive", "motor vehicle", "power-assisted bicycle", "vehicle"), 145, 147, 149, 150, 193(1), 239(1) (current as of October 28, 2026) (checked ) ; Bicycle Helmets Regulation, M.R. 39/2013, ss. 2 and 4.1 (in effect since November 20, 2017) (checked )
- Lights: at night (whenever vehicle lamps must be lit), a power-assisted bicycle needs a white headlamp visible from 90 m and a red or amber rear lamp or reflector visible from 60 m (HTA s. 149). Source: The Highway Traffic Act, C.C.S.M. c. H60, ss. 1(1) ("bicycle", "drive", "motor vehicle", "power-assisted bicycle", "vehicle"), 145, 147, 149, 150, 193(1), 239(1) (current as of October 28, 2026) (checked )
- Injury coverage: Manitoba Public Insurance's no-fault injury plan (Part 2 of the MPI Act) does not apply to injuries from an accident caused by a power-assisted bicycle, unless an automobile in motion is involved (MPI Act s. 71(2)). Source: The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Act, C.C.S.M. c. P215, ss. 1 ("motor vehicle") and 71(2) (current as of October 28, 2026) (checked )
- No weight limit: the Highway Traffic Act's power-assisted bicycle definition doesn't mention weight. Source: The Highway Traffic Act, C.C.S.M. c. H60, ss. 1(1) ("bicycle", "drive", "motor vehicle", "power-assisted bicycle", "vehicle"), 145, 147, 149, 150, 193(1), 239(1) (current as of October 28, 2026) (checked )
- Passed but not in force yet: S.M. 2026, c. 36 (Bill 43, assented June 1, 2026; in force on proclamation, not yet proclaimed at October 28, 2026) creates "personal electric vehicles" (e-scooters, e-skateboards, self-balancing devices and power-assisted bicycles). It keeps age 14 for power-assisted bicycles, sets age 16 and a 25 km/h speed limit for other personal electric vehicles, and requires helmets that meet the regulations. Sources: The Highway Traffic Amendment and Drivers and Vehicles Amendment Act, S.M. 2026, c. 36 (Bill 43), assented June 1, 2026, ss. 2, 11 and 37 (in force on proclamation) (checked ) ; The Highway Traffic Act, C.C.S.M. c. H60, ss. 1(1) ("bicycle", "drive", "motor vehicle", "power-assisted bicycle", "vehicle"), 145, 147, 149, 150, 193(1), 239(1) (current as of October 28, 2026) (checked )
E-bike questions in Manitoba
Do you need a licence for an e-bike in Manitoba?
No. A power-assisted bicycle is not a "motor vehicle" under the Highway Traffic Act, so the driver's licence and registration rules in The Drivers and Vehicles Act don't apply, and the MPI Act also leaves it out of "motor vehicle".
Sources: The Highway Traffic Act, C.C.S.M. c. H60, ss. 1(1) ("bicycle", "drive", "motor vehicle", "power-assisted bicycle", "vehicle"), 145, 147, 149, 150, 193(1), 239(1) (current as of October 28, 2026) (checked ) ; The Drivers and Vehicles Act, C.C.S.M. c. D104, ss. 1(2), 4(1), 34 (current as of October 28, 2026) (checked ) ; The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Act, C.C.S.M. c. P215, ss. 1 ("motor vehicle") and 71(2) (current as of October 28, 2026) (checked )
How old do you have to be to ride an e-bike in Manitoba?
14. No one under 14 may operate a power-assisted bicycle on a highway or bicycle facility, and owners must not let them (ticket $113 for the rider, $143 for the owner).
Sources: The Highway Traffic Act, C.C.S.M. c. H60, ss. 1(1) ("bicycle", "drive", "motor vehicle", "power-assisted bicycle", "vehicle"), 145, 147, 149, 150, 193(1), 239(1) (current as of October 28, 2026) (checked ) ; Preset Fines and Offence Descriptions Regulation, M.R. 96/2017, Schedule A (HTA ss. 145, 147, 150) and Schedule B (fine categories) (in effect since September 11, 2026) (checked )
Is a 750W e-bike legal in Manitoba?
Not as a power-assisted bicycle: the motor's continuous rating must be 500 W or less. A self-propelled vehicle outside the definition is a motor vehicle, which needs a licence and registration.
Sources: The Highway Traffic Act, C.C.S.M. c. H60, ss. 1(1) ("bicycle", "drive", "motor vehicle", "power-assisted bicycle", "vehicle"), 145, 147, 149, 150, 193(1), 239(1) (current as of October 28, 2026) (checked ) ; The Drivers and Vehicles Act, C.C.S.M. c. D104, ss. 1(2), 4(1), 34 (current as of October 28, 2026) (checked )
Are throttle e-bikes allowed in Manitoba?
Yes. The definition allows a motor engaged by a throttle, as long as it stops giving power when you brake and the bike has an on/off switch separate from the throttle or a motor that won't engage below 3 km/h.
Do I need a helmet on an e-bike in Manitoba?
Yes, every rider and passenger, at any age, must wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet that meets a bicycle helmet standard. The ticket is $113.
Sources: The Highway Traffic Act, C.C.S.M. c. H60, ss. 1(1) ("bicycle", "drive", "motor vehicle", "power-assisted bicycle", "vehicle"), 145, 147, 149, 150, 193(1), 239(1) (current as of October 28, 2026) (checked ) ; Bicycle Helmets Regulation, M.R. 39/2013, ss. 2 and 4.1 (in effect since November 20, 2017) (checked ) ; Preset Fines and Offence Descriptions Regulation, M.R. 96/2017, Schedule A (HTA ss. 145, 147, 150) and Schedule B (fine categories) (in effect since September 11, 2026) (checked )
Can I ride an e-bike on the sidewalk in Manitoba?
No. The Highway Traffic Act bars driving a vehicle on a sidewalk except to enter or leave a driveway, lane or adjacent land, and the sidewalk exceptions for small bicycles apply only to pedal-only bicycles.
Where can I ride in my city?
For a specific city, see our sister site, Zeus E-Bike Map: where you can ride, city by city.
What we couldn’t confirm
We leave a rule blank rather than guess. These points still need an official source:
- max_weight_kg: the law is silent; the Highway Traffic Act definition sets no weight limit.
- Which highways or bicycle facilities a regulation closes to bicycles and power-assisted bicycles under HTA s. 150(5): neither the Highway Traffic (General) Regulation nor the Highway Restrictions and Closures Regulation (M.R. 24/2006) names any; check with Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure or your municipality.
- When S.M. 2026, c. 36 (personal electric vehicles, e-scooters) will be proclaimed in force: not announced on Manitoba Laws as of October 28, 2026.
- E-scooters today: the current Highway Traffic Act has no e-scooter category; the rules for them arrive with S.M. 2026, c. 36 when proclaimed. Check with Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure.
Sources
The laws and pages we read for Manitoba, with the date we last checked each one. How we research.
- The Highway Traffic Act, C.C.S.M. c. H60, ss. 1(1) ("bicycle", "drive", "motor vehicle", "power-assisted bicycle", "vehicle"), 145, 147, 149, 150, 193(1), 239(1) (current as of October 28, 2026) Manitoba Laws (Government of Manitoba) · Official source · Checked
- Highway Traffic (General) Regulation, M.R. 119/2014, s. 2 (operating bicycles and power-assisted bicycles on highways) (in effect since January 1, 2026) Manitoba Laws (Government of Manitoba) · Official source · Checked
- Bicycle Helmets Regulation, M.R. 39/2013, ss. 2 and 4.1 (in effect since November 20, 2017) Manitoba Laws (Government of Manitoba) · Official source · Checked
- The Drivers and Vehicles Act, C.C.S.M. c. D104, ss. 1(2), 4(1), 34 (current as of October 28, 2026) Manitoba Laws (Government of Manitoba) · Official source · Checked
- The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Act, C.C.S.M. c. P215, ss. 1 ("motor vehicle") and 71(2) (current as of October 28, 2026) Manitoba Laws (Government of Manitoba) · Official source · Checked
- Preset Fines and Offence Descriptions Regulation, M.R. 96/2017, Schedule A (HTA ss. 145, 147, 150) and Schedule B (fine categories) (in effect since September 11, 2026) Manitoba Laws (Government of Manitoba) · Official source · Checked
- The Highway Traffic Amendment and Drivers and Vehicles Amendment Act, S.M. 2026, c. 36 (Bill 43), assented June 1, 2026, ss. 2, 11 and 37 (in force on proclamation) Manitoba Laws (Government of Manitoba) · Official source · Checked
Compare with neighbouring provinces
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ebikelaws.ca is a free guide from Zeus Ebikes, a Canadian online e-bike retailer. Whatever e-bike you choose, compare its motor power and speed with your province’s rules before you ride on public roads.