Ban on non-compliant mopeds makes Montreal bike paths safer, advocates say
But rider says the legislation is limiting the growth of electric unicycles
Since Quebec banned certain types of motorcycles and mopeds that do not meet federal safety standards this summer, the situation has improved on Montreal bike paths, cyclist advocates say.
"Now it seems to be a much more comfortable situation on our bike paths. It's noticeable," said Louis Lalonde, a spokesperson for Vélo Québec, which had lobbied for the ban over safety concerns.
These often electrically powered vehicles could be seen zipping down bike paths, roads and sidewalks, but they were non-compliant with Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS).
"These vehicles pose a safety risk to vulnerable users of sidewalks and bike paths due to their high weight and the speeds they can reach," said Quebec's auto insurance board, Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), in a July news release.
Also, the SAAQ said, it's a matter of fairness to the owners of compliant motorcycles and mopeds who must register their vehicles and hold the correct class of driver's licence to drive them on the road network.
The board prohibited these two- or three-wheeled motorized vehicles that, with or without pedals, have characteristics such as footrests or can reach speeds of more than 32 km/h. These vehicles are not allowed if they have a nominal power — average power output under normal conditions — greater than 500 watts.
SPVM issues 244 tickets
Since the ministerial order came into effect on July 30, 244 tickets have been issued for mopeds or motorcycles operating on public roads without a CMVSS certification mark, said a spokesperson for the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM).
Police and Vélo Québec also worked to get the word out, informing the public about the change, Lalonde said. Before the July 30 ban, the number of these vehicles on bike paths had been growing and cyclists were worried, he said.
The biggest concerns were the speed of these devices, their size and their weight. Lalonde said they also sometimes carried multiple passengers.
"They pose a risk just for the regular cyclists who are going at a slower pace," said Jason Savard, a spokesperson for the Association of Pedestrians and Cyclists of NDG.
He acknowledged these devices are likely better for the environment than cars but said they don't belong on bike paths.
Electric unicycle rider says rules are too restrictive
However, Pascal Robert said the province's restrictions have consequences for the growing electric unicycle industry, which has hundreds of safety-minded users in Quebec.
He said most riders wear full protective gear and practise responsible riding behaviours.
But the current legislation does not fully reflect the operational realities of electric unicycles, he explained, as the 500-watt power limit is insufficient for braking and safe operation, especially given the weight of these devices due to their batteries, he said.
"Most models exceed this limit, yet their design prioritizes safety, such as enabling rides over 100 kilometres per charge and accommodating diverse rider weights," said Robert.
"Instead of focusing on power and weight limits, legislation should prioritize behaviour enforcement, such as issuing tickets for speeding, running red lights or unsafe actions."
He said a fair speed limit of 35 km/h on bike paths and up to 70 km/h in other zones, similar to e-bikes, would align better with electric unicycle capabilities.
The uncertainty around government regulations has hindered the growth of this emerging market in Canada, he said. Regardless, he added, the Association des Utilisateurs de Monocycles Électriques du Québec is working to encourage safe usage throughout the province.
But even if some people would like to see these regulations scaled back in an effort to promote transportation that is more affordable and less damaging to the environment than cars, a professor of urban planning at McGill University said there just isn't a place for them on Quebec roads currently.
When asked about this by email, Ahmed El-Geneidy said, "The problem with some of these modes is they are too slow to be on the road and too fast to be on bicycle lanes, so where can you place them in a way that does not endanger others or themselves?"
He said legalizing these devices would require slowing car traffic, but because of Quebec's extreme weather, it's unlikely these modes of transportation would become popular enough to justify such wide-sweeping changes.
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