E-bikes and alcohol don't mix
Monday, July 02, 2012 by: SooToday.com Staff
SooToday.com sister-site baytoday.ca reported two incidents involving e-bikes and vehicles over the weekend. .
A 55 year old e-bike driver succumbed to his injuries following a collision with a vehicle on June 29th.
There was a second e-bike-vehicle collision that may result in impaired charges being laid against the e-bike driver.
North Bay police remind the public that any vehicle in Canada that is not powered by all things muscular, is considered a motor vehicle and subject to the same laws regarding drinking and driving.
North Bay Police Service
News Release
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A collision on June 29th between an e-bike and a motor vehicle could result in drinking and driving charges against the e-bike driver.
Symptoms of alcohol consumption resulted in a blood demand being made to the driver.
Alcohol analysis will determine whether charges are processed.
The North Bay police wish to remind the public that drinking and driving offences relate to any vehicle operated in Canada that is powered by anything other than muscular power.
This can include e-bikes, lawn tractors, ATV’s and a variety of other vehicles.
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saultbie25 7/2/2012 3:48:36 PM ReportAnd this is why e-bikes should be considered a motor vehicle and you should be by law ordered to have a licence and insurance. Let alone the kind of damage someone with past history of drunk driving can easily get an e-bike! I have almost been in an accident with several of them in the last two months, and because they were distracted on either a) cell phones or b)doubling someone with a case of beer between the legs.
This is rediculous
Just Curious 7/2/2012 4:26:16 PM Reportsaultbie, I agree wholeheartedly,E bikes should be rated and regarded as motor vehicles and be covered by all the same regs...
thera 7/2/2012 4:32:49 PM ReportI agree as well, but I don't think it would ever happen. It wouldn't be profitable for insurance companies to insure ebikes because monthly payments would have to peanuts.
saultbie25 7/2/2012 4:40:40 PM ReportThe insurance on a 50cc motorcycle is roughly $50 a month, I think that is fair and it is not peanuts, then this way the insurance can cover damage from one's bad driving and/or decisions
bruno-b 7/2/2012 4:49:49 PM ReportI agree and also these bikes should have daytime running lights the same as motorcycles!!!!
pedwards1978 7/2/2012 5:27:20 PM ReportTHIS LAW ALSO INCLUDES MAN POWERED, I KNOW SOMEONE WHO WAS CHARGED BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE WHILE RIDING A BICYCLE!!
boilertyme 7/2/2012 6:36:05 PM ReportLaws never seem to be fully defined.what is the law,can you be charged on a bicycle under muscle power while your blood alcohol level is over the legal limit. What is the legal limit now ?.
jean-paul 7/2/2012 6:44:51 PM ReportI agree ,how can they have chaged insurance on snowmobiles driving in the bush and not the e-bike in town.This really smells of bull sh**t.I hate Canada and Ontario.Really nice ride on a bike in Michigan with no helmet, where they do what the people want and not what the political thieves think what you want.
tcowen 7/2/2012 10:06:44 PM ReportBuild something that's idiot proof.. & some-one will eventually build a better idiot.
Not all e-bike riders are irresponsible & no more annoying then bicyclists, skateboards or roller-blades.
But I suppose some people are a little more eager then most to jump on any opportunity for expanded-government & more regulations.
eadiecougs 7/2/2012 11:04:39 PM Reporthow is putting a licence on them going to stop them from drinking.People walking drunk get hit and killed.You people bitch because government steals enough money from us taxpayers and now u want them to take more money off the common person in licence fees
mattdoubleU 7/2/2012 11:42:50 PM ReportE-bikes and little kids being towed in trailers behind them don't mix either, anyone else ever see the idiot in town towing his kids?
allieishere 7/3/2012 12:50:21 AM ReportWow, some very valid points. I just recently purchased an e bike for my daughter. It takes her to and from the college every day. And it costs next to nothing to operate, best thing though, it isn't harming the atmosphere.
It's a shame that there are those that are not responsible with their e-bikes, then again, there are a lot of people that drive cars that aren't responsible either. Thanks for letting me put in my two cents, which, by the way, is approximately what it costs to ride an e bike everyday. Jes' sayin' :)
Wobbler 7/3/2012 8:04:02 AM ReportmattdoubleU:
If "the idiot towing his kids" with an e-bike is wrong, then are people towing their kids with a bicycle "idiots" too?
Pretty soon, the handicapped will have to have a license to drive their motorized wheelchairs and scooters!!! Or hey!!!....what about a license for pedestrians.....or maybe even parents who push their kids in buggies?? There are some pedestrians and parents with buggies who seem to think they can cross the road whenever or wherever they please.
There are "idiots" everywhere...so maybe there should be a license for "idiots"?
Oh, and don't forget "idiot" insurance!!
Unfortunately it doesn't matter which way a person chooses to move around, there will be accidents. Everyone should be using common sense where ever and whatever they are doing. Making new rules and regulations because there are a few "idiots" around who don't have common sense does not make sense to me!!
Ms. Mc 7/3/2012 9:10:32 AM Reportagree Wobbler
eadiecougs 7/3/2012 11:32:50 AM ReportI agree with wobbler common sense is the word too bad a few have to spoil it for the rest of us
syco 7/3/2012 2:19:43 PM ReportMaybe if people all just got on the same page for a change, we would not have to have all these stupid licenses and insurances like some of you think. When I was a child we all had to have a license plate on our bicycle to even have it on the road which I saw as a privilage. That meant we each had to take a course and pass it. We had to know which side of the road to ride on and our hand signals. People today don't seem to think they should have the same consideration and love for their children that parents did back then. Why not just teach the next generation of adults to protect themselves as they used to only a few years ago. Whats the big deal about a little knowledge to save the ones we love. If those that are handicapped rode on the sidewalk where they belong with their little electric chairs, we would not have the response of acidents that we do now. If education was administered as it should be for eBikes, there would be few to no acidents and maybe if the drivers of cars thought about their own driving knowledge maybe they would keep their tongues to themselves. Have you ever watched some of the car and truck drivers out there, they're really not any better than the ones they want to complain about just because there is something new on the market.If parents taught their children to obey the laws we have now, kids would not have to think they can ride anywhere they see fit.
just a thought for the response about riding in the states, well if you like the trails and laws in that country, then why don't you get out of Canada like all the other traders and you can stay there.
mattdoubleU 7/3/2012 6:22:24 PM Report@wobbler - did I hit a soft spot, do you tow your children on an e-bike? An e-bike goes a little faster then a bicycle, I've seen e-bike guy on busy streets such as 2nd line, and great northern. And he wasn't going too slow, sure I towed my kids behind my bike when they were smaller but I also had a truck for when I needed to actually "go" somewhere with them not risk driving down the side of busy streets with all the bad drivers in this town. Bottom line is people are using these e-bike for reasons other then intended, and I do think they should be licensed to be able to track down people that are misusing these bikes. People wanna drive on the streets they should be licensed.
Ms. Mc 7/3/2012 7:13:02 PM Reportagree mattdoubleU
Ms. Mc 7/3/2012 9:39:43 PM Reportwho cares. It not like anyone follows the rules of the road. I always go thought red lights on my bike in this city.lol
eadiecougs 7/3/2012 10:55:08 PM Reportmatt double u do u like to be controlled by your government well thats what they do u need a licence for everything a few spoil it for the rest.to bad there is alot of dummies out there who drink a licence wont stop them sorry
Note: Comments that appear on the site are not the opinion of SooToday.com. Keep discussions civil and on topic. Refrain from obscenity and don't post anything that your grandmother would be ashamed to read. Those who do not abide by these guidelines will have their membership revoked without notice. If you see an abusive post, please click the link beside the post to report it.
