General information, not legal advice. E-bike rules are set by each province and territory, and cities, parks and transit systems can add their own. Rules change. Before you ride on public roads, check the official source for where you ride. We checked every source on this page in October 2026.
At a glance
| Province or territory | Motor and assisted speed (max) | Minimum age | Helmet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 500 W, 32 km/h | 16 | Required |
| Quebec | 500 W, 32 km/h | 18 (14–17 with a class 6D licence) | Required |
| British Columbia: standard e-bike | 500 W, 32 km/h | 16 | Required |
| British Columbia: light e-bike | 250 W, 25 km/h, no throttle | 14 | Required |
| Alberta | 500 W, 32 km/h | 12 (under 18: parent's or guardian's consent, or an operator's licence) | Required |
| Manitoba | 500 W, 32 km/h | 14 | Required |
| Saskatchewan | 500 W, 32 km/h | 14 | Required |
| Nova Scotia (new rules since October 19, 2026) | 500 W, 32 km/h | 14 | See the official source |
| New Brunswick | 500 W, 32 km/h | None found in the Act | Required (bicycle rules apply) |
| Prince Edward Island | 500 W, 32 km/h | 16 | Required |
| Northwest Territories | 500 W, 32 km/h | None (12+ recommended) | Not required |
| Yukon, Nunavut, Newfoundland and Labrador | Not confirmed — see below | ||
An e-bike with a motor over 500 W, or one that assists above 32 km/h, is outside every limit in this table. The e-bikes we sell above 500 W are for use on private property only — not on public roads, trails, sidewalks or rights-of-way. See our Terms of Service.
Details and official sources
Ontario
The motor must be 500 W or less, assisted speed is capped at 32 km/h, and the e-bike can weigh at most 120 kg, battery included. Riders must be 16 or older and wear an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet. Keep the pedals on: removing them makes the e-bike a motor vehicle, which requires a licence, insurance and registration.
Source: Ontario — Riding an e-bike (updated July 19, 2024).
Proposed changes, not in force. Ontario has proposed two e-bike classes: Class 1, pedal-assist only (a walk-assist button up to 6 km/h allowed), up to 55 kg; and Class 2, throttle, button or pedal assist, up to 120 kg. Both would keep 500 W, 32 km/h, a minimum age of 16 and helmets for all riders. Moped-, scooter- or motorcycle-style vehicles would be allowed on roads only if they meet an existing motor vehicle class. Comments closed June 7, 2026, and no decision had been posted when we checked. Source: Environmental Registry of Ontario, notice 026-0422.
Quebec
The motor must be rated 500 W or less and stop assisting at 32 km/h, and the e-bike must let you pedal like a regular bicycle. Riders must be 18 or older, or 14 to 17 with a class 6D (moped or scooter) licence, and must wear a helmet that meets standards. E-bikes cannot be registered.
Since January 26, 2025, vehicles that look like a motorcycle or moped and do not bear a national safety mark are banned from public roads if they have at least one of these: footrests or a foot platform; motorcycle- or moped-style tires and wheels; body panels and no height-adjustable saddle; or a motor that can go over 32 km/h or is rated over 500 W.
Sources: SAAQ — Electric bike (updated May 25, 2026); Ministerial Order 2024-24.
British Columbia
B.C. has two classes. A standard e-bike has a motor of 500 W or less, assistance up to 32 km/h, and riders must be 16 or older. A light e-bike has a motor of 250 W or less, assistance up to 25 km/h and no throttle, and riders must be 14 or older. A bicycle safety helmet is required, and you do not need a driver's licence or insurance.
Qualifying e-bikes are exempt from B.C. PST: a motor of 500 W or less, assistance up to 32 km/h, pedals or hand cranks, wheels at least 350 mm, no combustion engine, and not marketed as or designed to look like an electric motorcycle, moped or scooter.
Sources: B.C. Reg. 64/2024; Government of B.C. — E-bikes; PST Bulletin 204 (revised June 2026).
Alberta
Power bicycles have a motor of up to 500 W and a top speed of 32 km/h. Riders must be at least 12. Riders under 18 must carry a parent's or guardian's consent, in the form the Registrar approves, or hold an operator's licence. Every rider needs a helmet, and a bicycle helmet is allowed. No licence, registration or insurance is required.
Sources: Alta. Reg. 320/2002, s. 9; Alta. Reg. 122/2009, s. 107; Alberta — Safety equipment; Alberta Rider's Guide (spring 2023).
Manitoba
A power-assisted bicycle has a motor of 500 W or less and gives no assistance above 32 km/h. Riders must be 14 or older and wear a properly fitted and fastened protective helmet.
Source: The Highway Traffic Act (C.C.S.M. c. H60).
Saskatchewan
The motor can be no larger than 500 W, with no power above 32 km/h. Riders must be 14 or older and wear an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet. No driver's licence or registration is required, though your city may require a bicycle sticker.
Source: SGI — Power-assisted bicycles.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia's new Traffic Safety Act took effect on October 19, 2026. A power-assisted bicycle has a motor of 500 W or less and gives no assistance above 32 km/h (raised from 30 km/h). Riders must be 14 or older.
Sources: Nova Scotia — Changes to traffic safety legislation; N.S. Reg. 221/2026; N.S. Reg. 230/2026, s. 128.
New Brunswick
A vehicle that can be powered by human force, with a motor of 500 W or less that cannot assist above 32 km/h, is treated as a bicycle, and all bicycle rules apply — including wearing a bicycle helmet on a highway. We found no separate minimum age for e-bikes in the Motor Vehicle Act.
Sources: Government of New Brunswick — Motor vehicle registration; Motor Vehicle Act, s. 177.
Prince Edward Island
A power-assisted bicycle has a motor of 500 W or less, cannot go faster than 32 km/h under power and weighs at most 120 kg. Riders must be 16 or older and wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle safety helmet. These rules have been in force since July 10, 2021.
Source: Power-Assisted Bicycles Regulations.
Northwest Territories
Power bicycles have a maximum of 500 W and a top speed of 32 km/h. There is no age limit, though the territory strongly recommends riders be 12 or older. Helmets are not required. No licence, registration or insurance is needed.
Sources: Northwest Territories — Motorcycles, Mopeds and Power Bicycles handbook (revised March 2020); Register a vehicle for the first time.
Yukon, Nunavut, Newfoundland and Labrador
We could not confirm e-bike rules for these from an official source. Yukon's Motor Vehicles Act is being replaced by a new Traffic Safety Act, and we could not confirm which rules apply today. The traffic laws we checked for Nunavut and for Newfoundland and Labrador set no specific e-bike limits. Contact the territory or province before you ride on public roads.
Laws checked: Yukon Motor Vehicles Act; Nunavut Traffic Safety Act; Newfoundland and Labrador Highway Traffic Act.
Federal rules
Since 2020, the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations no longer define a "power-assisted bicycle". Transport Canada treats e-bikes designed to go no faster than 32 km/h as non-regulated at import. The road rules above come from each province and territory.
Sources: SOR/2020-22, Canada Gazette, Part II (February 19, 2020); Transport Canada — Importing non-regulated vehicles.
Local rules
Cities, parks and transit systems can set their own rules, for example for park paths or for taking an e-bike on a train or bus. Check locally before you ride.
Last checked: October 22, 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice; the official sources linked above are the authority. Spotted a change? Email support@fastebikes.ca.