Road Safety Tips

Alternative Motorized Transportations

New Vehicles In Ontario

New types of vehicles and devices active in the marketplace everyday. The province recognizes the importance of these new market innovations as they expand mobility options for Ontarians and provide an environmentally friendly way to travel. But, it is also important to know whether these vehicles can—or cannot—legally operate on our roads. It is also important to know what safety requirements must be met. In addition to these new vehicle types, the ministry continues to receive questions about bicycle and wheelchair use.

Before you operate a new vehicle type, you should contact your local municipality. They will tell you whether or not your vehicle/device can legally travel on their sidewalks and/or bike paths.

Many new vehicles and devices, such as go-pods, limited-speed vehicles and the Human Transporters’ (i.e., Segway tm), fall within the definition of a motor vehicle in Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act (HTA). The HTA requires motor vehicles to be registered, have licence plates, and the operator to have a valid driver’s licence and appropriate insurance. Anyone caught operating one of these vehicles/devices on Ontario’s roads without complying with these requirements could face charges for driving an unlicensed and uninsured motor vehicle.

Also, certain vehicles/devices such as go-peds and pocket bikes cannot operate on public roads hi Ontario because they do not meet:

  • Provincial equipment safety standards for motor vehicles, such as standards regulating lighting, braking, seat belts, etc.
  • Federal standards for motor vehicles used on public roads.

The province continues to review both existing and new vehicle types to determine whether they fit into the WA or If a new vehicle definition is required.. Road safety will be a key consideration hi determining which new vehicles or devices may operate on Ontario’s roads.

This information update is to be used as a guide only. For official purposes, please refer to the Highway Traffic Act, which can be viewed online at www.e-laws.gov.on.ca.

Limited-Speed Motorcycle/Nopeds

Can be operated as a motorcycle on roads in Ontario

A Limited-Speed Motorcycle must meet vehicle requirements as defined under the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act (MVSA). However, In order to use a limited-speed motorcycle, the driver must comply with the operating requirements of a motorcycle under provincial regulations. A limited- speed motorcycle has a maximum attainable speed of 70 km/h or less.

Nopeds have similar features to a ‘motor-assisted bicycle’ (moped) with one important exception— they don’t have pedals.

To operate these vehicles on a roadway:

  • Driver must hold a valid Ml,M2 or M licence
  • The vehicle must be insured, registered and have licence plates
  • The operator must wear a motorcycle helmet
  • Cannot operate on certain highways, for example, 400 series highway

Low-Speed Vehicles

Cannot be operated on roads In Ontario

Ontario’s HTA does not address these devices and their operation. Low-speed vehicles fall within the HTA definition of a motor vehicle’, but they do not meet safely standards for on-road use. As such, these vehicles may only be operated where Ontario’s HTA does not apply, such as on private property.

Low-speed vehicles are defined as motor vehicles, other than trucks, that are powered by an electric motor, designed to travel on four wheels, aid can reach a speed of between 32 and 40 km/h.

Electric and Motorized Scooters (Go-peds)

Cannot be operated on roads in Ontario

While these devices appear to fall within the definition of a motor vehicle under Ontario’s HTA, they do not meet the provincial equipment safety standards for on-road use.

As such, these devices may only be operated where Ontario’s HTA does not apply, such as on private property.

These devices may not be operated on sidewalks or foot path according to Chatham-Kent Municipal by-law 24-2004.

Pocket Bikes

Cannot be operated on roads in Ontario

Pocket bikes are meant for dosed circuit use only, not roadways.

These bikes can be imported as a restricted-use motorcycle.’ However, in order to comply with the federal standards, a pocket bike would require a 17-digit vehicle identification number, reflectors and warning labels that dearly stale these bikes are intended for off-road use only.

The federal MVSA indicates pocket bikes are not intended for use on public roads.

Personal Mob/lit, Devices (Motorized Wheelchairs and Medical Scooters)

Do not require registration, licence plates, driver’s licence or vehicle insurance

Disabled persons operating motorized wheelchairs are treated in the same way as pedestrians.

The expected behaviour of people who use wheelchairs to improve their mobility, is generally established by municipality by-laws. Operators should check with their local municipality to ensure by-laws permit their use on sidewalks.

A sidewalk should be the first choice for someone using a wheelchair or medical scooter. When there is no wheelchair accessible curb, the person should return to the sidewalk at the first available opportunity.

If there is no sidewalk available, people using wheelchairs or personal motility devices should travel, like pedestrians, along the left shoulder of the roadway facing oncoming traffic.

SegwayTM Human Transporter

Cannot be operated on roads in Ontario

A personal human transporter (i.e. SegwayTM) is defined as a self-balancing, electric-powered transportation machine designed for one person, with a top speed of 20 km/h.

The definition of motor vehicle in Ontario’s HTA encompasses this type of personal transportation vehicle. However, this device does not meet Ontario’s equipment safety standards for on-road use.

This device is not included as a vehicle intended for on-road use under the MVSA and is considered a device for a pedestrian environment.

Personal transportation devices may be operated where the HTA does not apply, such as on private property.

These devices may not be operated on sidewalks or foot path according to Chatham-Kent Municipal by-law 24-2004.

Motor-Assisted Bicycles (Mopeds)

Can be operated on roads In Ontario

To operate these vehicles on the roadway:

  • Driver must hold a valid G or M licence
  • Motorcycle helmet is required
  • Vehicle must be insured and registered
  • No passengers allowed
  • They must meet federal safety standards for a limited speed motorcycle
  • Motor-assisted bicycles are not allowed to travel on 400 series highways.

A motor-assisted bicycle is a bicycle that:

  • is fitted with pedals that can operate at all times to propel the bicycle
  • has no hand or foot operated clutch or gearbox driven by the mar and transferring power to the driven wheel
  • has an attached motor run by electricity or has a piston displacement & no more than 50 cubic centimetres
  • cannot travel more than 50km/h

Power-Assisted/Electric Bicycles

Cannot be operated on roads in Ontario

Power-assisted/electric bicycles may fall within the HTA definition of a "rnotor assisted bicycle", but they do not meet safety standards (eg., brakes, lights, at) for on road use.

A power-assisted bicycle is a vehicle that

  • • has steering handlebars and is equipped with pedals
  • is designed to be propelled primarily by muscular power and to travel on not more than Three wheels
  • has a motor that has a power output rating of 500W cc less (note: the motor Is electric, and is incapable of propelling the cycle at speed of 321cmTh or9reateron level ground, without pedaling.)

Bicycle

Can be operated on roads in Ontario

In the HT4 the definition & bicycle includes tricycles and unicycles but not motor-assisted bicycles. You do not need a drivers licence to operate a bicycle in Ontario.

A bicycle is a vehicle that

  • has steering handlebars and is equipped with pedals
  • is designed to be propelled by muscular power
  • has no age restriction for operators
  • can be operated on most roadways (e.g.1 not allowed to travel on 400 series highways)
  • cannot be operated across a roadway within a pedestrian cross-over

An operator must wear a bicycle helmet if under 18 and operating the bicycle on the road. lf the operator is under 16 it is the duty of the operator’s parent or guardian to ensure that he/she wears a helmet. If the person is 16 or 17 it is his or her personal responsibility to wear a helmet.

No passengers are allowed if bicycle only meant for one person. Bicycles that cannot keep up with traffic should drive as close to the right edge of the road as possible and safe to do so.