Question About Getting Pulled Over in B.C,CA

Here is a highly recomended seller from endless sphere.

Emissions-Free

Steve.

They have improved greatly since this fella is selling out of Toronto.

Golden Motor ebike Canada electric bicycle brushless hub motor motorized wheel lithium battery conversion kit go green

Steve.

This is where I bought my motor and battery. Think it's safe to say he is the leader as far as e-bikes go. He went coast to coast on an e-bike 2 or 3 years ago.

Not inexpensive but his parts are the very best. I bought the eZee geared motor and a lithium battery that he doesn't sell any more. Geared motors help with the hills.

I've emailed him at 10:30 at night and had an answer back in minutes. Great service.

www.ebikes.ca Homepage of the revolution

Steve.

One more. Great reputation and he cuts spokes to size. Even 11 ga. if you ask.
He sells hub motors and can lace them into a rim.

Don't know about batteries but he does sell radio controlled vehicles so he may have them. A recomended seller from endless sphere.

Holmes Hobbies LLC / Holmes Bikes

Steve.

You more than welcome. Know how you feel about your bike. I'm building a copy of a 1905 Indian tricar and since I'm putting a Sachs 98cc motor on it with a hand operated clutch and a 2 speed transmission it means that I can't use it anywhere unless I have it licenced as a motorcycle which won't happen since the frame doesn't have a vin number and there is no chance that I can get one assigned to it since it's based on a bicycle frame.

It will be a bike and car show rider. You can bet I'll be at every car show I can find to use it.

I'd bring my bike over to let you try it but it's pulled apart at the moment and the trailer it's in is packed with bike parts as my brother and I are redoing the garage so I can't get at it. Hopefully after Christmas it will be back together.

If Robin can get something that will hold the police off that would be great but as I say about the only thing that will help is a change in the law and I'm sure that won't happen in my life time.
It has to happen on a Federal level. Maybe Mr Harper will include us in the long gun registery recall.

Steve

@ Chriscraft112,

To your original post, the police can pull you over for having a motorized bicycle. There is a Provincial ban based by ICBC.

Motorized bicycles are not illegal in Canada. Provincial insurance agencies that have a monopoly can make legal amendments to Canada's Transportation Act. Since Canada does not manufacture or import motorized bicycles, they are excluded. A bicycle is a bicycle then. The RCMP K Division Headquarters told me in person that they do not care what makes my bicycle move for alternative power. They suggested that I try a wind sail.

ICBC holds a monopoly on insurance in British Columbia. Since a bicycle kit is not regulated or identified in Canada's Transportation Act, they do not feel comfortable insuring something that some maniac built in his garage. So, their answer to a motorized bicycle is simply banishing it. Bicycles can never meet the high Department of Transportation (DOT) safety specs. Bicycles are not meant to be motorized vehicles.

I ride my motorized bicycle in Alberta. Anywhere and anytime. I spoke with all the different layers of police and By-Law officers in this Province about this. Even the Crown Prosecuter. The unaminous answer to me was that there is no Canadian law or Albertan law preventing me from riding.

The traffic Sergeant reminded me that I have a responsibility as a cyclist to obey laws and by-laws. So, I have flashing lights, reflectors, a bell, and a massive motorbike helmet. I do not ride like a jackass. I ride with the flow of traffic. Motorists appreciate that when they see me peddle beside them through the streets.

I will say this to all enthusiasts, approach your local law agencies. DO NOT approach police on the street. They are human before what their uniform represents. Visit a headquarters and request for an audience with someone who represents traffic law. That way you will get the correct answer and not some ones personal opinion, like those on this site. I had the police print out the legal definition of a bicycle for me. It is from their database and has their reference number.

Best of luck to you and all motorized bicycle enthusiasts.

@Chriscraft112,

I have never given reason for the Alberta law enforcement to pull me over.

Long story below. Get some coffee.

While I was doing "internet" research before I built my bike, I found that it was futile. Too many outdated documents online and personal opinions. So, I began emailing, calling, and confronting parties of interest.

First I contacted Transport Canada. They politely over the phone thanked me for wasting their time with this subject.

I was referred to the local by-law authorities in Alberta. I contacted several different agents over the phone and listened to their personal opinions of where I stand with a motorized bicycle. It was suggested by them that I possess a moped. I had to get an Alberta inspection and apply for a VIN number to register it. I asked where does this VIN number come from? From my understanding it can only be obtained for motorized vehicles that are identified in the National Transportation Act. The operator then informed me that the VIN was actually going to be from the trailer registry numbers. I knew then that this whole thing was poop. I can never pass an Alberta road inspection with a bicycle. I could if I rebuild it with a fortune. But, that defeats the point of having a motorized bicycle. Anyhow, after listening to the agents and their personal advice, I asked for them to research their database and tell me where I stand. After listening to heaving breathing and murmers over the phone the agent responded with " I do not know what to call your bike". According to the agent there was nothing available to describe or identify what I built in my 300ft sq apartment. He recommend that I speak to the local police.

In person, I went to the Edmonton K Division headquarters. I asked people there who should I speak to in regard to what my bicycle is. A few shrugs and moments later I was suggested to go to the city police to get some answers. The RCMP told me they do not care what my bicycle has to make it go faster.

I visited the local police center several times before getting an answer. At first they laughed at me. It did seem silly that a potential law breaker approaching the police for a crime he has yet committed. But, they too were at a loss. They looked in their computer database and found nothing. The senior officer told me I found a loop hole. I replied to him that I just want to make sure that some one does not pull me over for something I should have known. The police told me to contact the traffic sergeant and the city crown prosecuter.

Later after getting answers from Transport Canada, Alberta Ministry of Transportation, RCMP, Edmonton Police, Edmonton By-Law traffic sergeant and the Alberta crown prosecuter, it was unaminous that I have a cool bicycle.

I have rode it all over the city of Edmonton, local highways, the Canadian Forces Base and crown land without any problems with the law. Only civilians have a problem with me.

Do not be shy, approach whomever it may concern where you live and learn what your boundaries are.

For example, I can ride my motorized bicycle in British Columbia. It depends where and when. There are areas where you too can ride. Find them. Do not post them here though. It only takes one weiner to ruin it for everyone. I miss riding at a particular "Ski Resort" near Kamloops. Thanks to some weiner for riding drunk and harassing the locals.

My ride can be seen at Unrealcycles Blog http://blog.unrealcycles.com/
Pictures of it at the Legislature Building http://www.flickr.com/photos/36566069@N07/5704606983/

Maybe get a sphere cage made of wire and do loops inside. Actually I just want to use OHV sticker in CA California, not Canada. Seems that the provincial stuff is a lot to check on.

Measure Twice

@Chriscraft112,

I do not want to get involved with your personal affairs.

But, like I suggested go to the source and avoid "internet" research. The internet is full of outdated and unsupported documents.

Transport Canada has updated the definition of motor-assisted bicycle to power-assisted bicycle years ago. Majority of Provinces since then have re-aligned their provincial laws to be adjusted to the power-assisted bicycles. Power-assisted bicycles are manufactured and imported into Canada, therefore are treated as vehicles in the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Motorized kit engines are not defined in the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Bicycles are in the same class as rollerblades and other recreational wheeled things. So, the Province by-laws and monopolizing insurance companies create rules and regulations for them. That is why some places have by-laws against skateboards and even use of bicycles.

Motorized bicycles are not in Transport Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Act. ICBC however can make amendments to the Act to serve the Province. ICBC needs to make it more clear that the company does not tolerate motorized bicycles and stop using Transport Canada as a scapegoat.

Best of luck. My problems have always been people, never the law.

Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations

I found this on the computer in less that 2 minutes.
The Alberta Governments web site for what's legal on a motorized bicycle.

look at "Owning and Operating a Power Bicycle or Moped in Alberta. It has all the information.

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j...aV9xdwewQsWsl_Qwg&sig2=JaflHhJV0xLKdBXpcEXeSw

Steve.

@fasteddy,

Your point to Chriscraft112's question is what?

My point is to you. Look at the Alberta web site and see what a legal Power Bicycle is in Alberta.

Steve.

Go there and pay graft, that is how it was done before Warren Comisson. Atcually I just liked the movie Serpico and reading the book too.

Slightly off topic I guess, but I agree if you can get in on being a attachment to the police and ride your motor bike doing patrol then you are a do gooder an can't be given a ticket. You know the neighbor hood patrol.

Measure Twice

@fasteddy,

I fail to see how you attacking me helps this thread. If you have a problem with me, send a PM. Please be mature.

The Edmonton Police gave me the same print out of what you shared. I asked them for it right from their own database. They seen what I built. It is a Motoped with a Honda CRF50 clone. It does not matter on what size the engine is either. My bicycle does not fit either description and they are satisfied with that. You should be too.

I have stated earlier in this thread that I have approached all levels of the law in person. I have been riding the thing for a year now. Often I ride by the police station so the local authorities can look it over and get familiar with it. By-law officers tell me that they want one. Military personnel tell me that I am cheating by not having to pedal all the time like they do.

So, I encourage everyone to get off their butts and start introducing themselves and talk to people.

Just how am I attacking you? The Edmonton Police gave you the Province of Albertas official rules regarding motorized bicycles and it doesn't mean you?

Riding around the city on an illegal bike makes it OK? How is it a moped? Are you are on the list of approved moped makers that the federal government has because you need to be for it to be legal. Did you apply a vin number and a manufactureers plate to your bike because you need one to be legal.

Be mature??? Think you need to look up the meaning.

Steve.

There is a difference between a disagreement and an attack, having read this thread I see no personal slight, insult, or any other offensive statement.

All members are free to post a conflicting point of view provided it's done in a civil fashion, as all members are equally free to not reply to a point of they don't wish to debate it.

Should disagreements escalate to actual insult, staff will take action as described in our rules: http://motorbicycling.com/f21/please-read-these-simple-rules-2.html