KTowneBiker
Tips for Other Road Users When Encountering an eBike
Not sure what to do when you encounter an eBike, or even a pedal cyclist, on the road? Here are a few quick tips!
01
Give Us Space
The highway traffic act states that "Every person in charge of a vehicle on a highway meeting a person travelling on a bicycle shall allow the cyclist sufficient room on the roadway to pass" (HTA 148.4). Additionally, an amendment to the HTA is being looked at by parliament that would require drivers to leave a distance of no less than 1 metre between the bicycle and motor vehicle (Bill 173, Section 33).
02
Recognize That We Are Riding Bicycles
Not all of our bicycles look like... well, bicycles. A lot of them resemble motor scooters. There are two easy ways to tell if it is a bicycle and not a motor scooter: attached pedals and an "ebike plate." eBikes only reach a top speed of 32km/hr, and while we do our best to move to the right so that you can pass us it's not always safe for us to do so (see: Cycling Skills - Surface Hazards).
03
STOP at Stop Signs and Red Lights
Usually found at intersections, these red-coloured octagon signs and red-coloured traffic lights indicate that you must come to a full and complete stop before proceeding. They do not mean slow down. They do not mean keep going without touching your breaks. They mean stop. It's easy. Obeying stop signs and red lights could save the life of a cyclist.
04
Use Your Turn Signals and Mirrors
It's extremely helpful to other road users if you indicate which way you are turning. For an eBiker or cyclist on the road, knowing which way you are turning can mean the difference between life and death. Seeing a turn signal can tell us that we need to stop or that it's safe for us to proceed.
Additionally, using your mirrors can prevent us from getting "doored" if you are getting out of your car. If you open your car door into the path of an unsuspecting cyclist they could swerve into traffic and become injured/killed, or they could hit your door and become injured/killed.
05
Not All eBikers Are Good eBikers
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Just like not all cyclists are good cyclists, and not all drivers are good drivers. And even good road users make mistakes sometimes; after all, we are all human. There are eBikers out there who have been misinformed or not informed at all. It's unfortunate, but as we are newer to the mix out on the roads we are bound to get a few bad apples. Please do not judge eBikers as a whole upon a bad encounter with one rider - most of us are following the rules of the road.