The time of “fake motorcycles”, which have been proliferating on roads, cycle paths and sidewalks for several years, is over. Starting Tuesday, unapproved scooters, motorcycles and mopeds will be banned, with hefty fines for the recalcitrant.
“For several years, a multitude of vehicles that look like mopeds or motorcycles have been available on the market and are circulating on the roadway as well as on bike paths and sidewalks. These vehicles represent a safety risk,” the Société de l’assurance automobile (SAAQ) ruled in a press release Tuesday.
A ministerial decree made public shortly afterwards, in the Official Government Gazetteconfirmed. From then on, access to public roads will be prohibited “to two- or three-wheeled motor vehicles that, whether or not equipped with pedals, have the appearance of a motorcycle or moped” without, however, complying with the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS).
What the ban affects
- Non-approved vehicles equipped with footrests or a foot platform;
- Unapproved vehicles fitted with a set of tires and wheels that have the appearance of a motorcycle;
- Non-approved vehicles fitted with a body covering the components or the frame;
- Vehicles that are not certified to reach a speed greater than 32 km/h or a power greater than 500 watts;
- Vehicles that are not certified and do not have a height-adjustable seat.
Quebec specifies, however, that motorcycles and mopeds manufactured before January 1971 will be exempt. The same applies to vehicles whose design date is 15 years or more and which meet the NSVAC, or even American and Mexican safety standards. “Home-made” motorcycles authorized by the SAAQ and off-road vehicles are also part of the exemptions.
A difficult cohabitation
For several years, the presence of these unregistered motorized vehicles – such as smart electric scooters – has been a cause for concern on Montreal’s cycling network. In principle, the law states that only unregistered vehicles are authorized to circulate on a path.
This includes bicycles and four-wheelers, but the application of the law has become increasingly unclear since the acceleration of electric modes of transport. Quebec has been working for several years to further regulate this situation.
According to the SAAQ, these machines pose a real danger to cyclists and pedestrians “because of their high weight and the speed they can reach.” “In fairness to other owners of compliant motorcycles and mopeds who must register their vehicles […]it is important to act,” the government agency argues.
A fine of between $300 and $600 will now be imposed on recalcitrants. This type of vehicle was already prohibited from sale and importation in new condition in Quebec “due to the lack of certification to current standards,” the SAAQ reminded on Tuesday.
Sighs of relief
For Magali Bebronne, program director at Vélo Québec, this announcement is to be welcomed. “We are extremely relieved, because the police services had a lot of difficulty cracking down on the proliferation of these machines on bike paths. It created a lot of insecurity and discomfort,” she says.
PHOTO MARIKA VACHON, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Magali Bebronne, Program Director at Vélo Québec
His group deplores, however, that Quebec did not include this ban in Bill 48 on road safety, adopted this spring. “By not going through the legislative route, we are missing the opportunity to redefine the parameters around real electric bikes. These are still at a minimum age of 18, while scooters, which are more dangerous, are authorized from the age of 14. It doesn’t make sense,” notes Mme Brebonne.
It was necessary to regulate and that is a good thing. These machines should never have been allowed to circulate.
Magali Brebonne, from Vélo Québec
The office of the Minister of Transport, Geneviève Guilbault, says they are seeing “increasingly the presence of different types of devices on the road network, some imported by circumventing the regulations imposing minimum safety standards.” “It was necessary to adjust the regulations to ensure the safety of Quebecers on our roads,” he said.
The office of Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante also welcomed the ban. “These fake motorcycles, which often circulate on bike paths, sidewalks and roads, represent a real risk to the safety of other road users, particularly the most vulnerable. The desire to maximize transportation options must not compromise travel safety,” it was stressed.