We learned on July 30 in The duty that, by means of a ministerial decree, electric mopeds are now banned from circulation, for an initial period of 180 days. From one day to the next and without warning, owners of this type of vehicle are now banned from the roads.
We are in the era of ecological transition and sustainable mobility! What happened? At a time when we are looking for alternative modes of travel to solo driving, when we want, as a metropolis, to prioritize modes of transportation that have a low environmental footprint, as stated in the City of Montreal’s 2050 urban planning and mobility plan, how can we simply ban this new form of mobility and how can the City of Montreal welcome this ban?
It is inconceivable that the response to the development of new urban, electric and sustainable mobility from the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility is to ban it wall to wall, rather than to regulate it. Let’s be clear, the place of these vehicles is not on cycle paths. That is not the debate.
But why ban them on the road? Bicycles have access to them and the cohabitation between bicycles and cars is increasingly encouraged through, for example, shared street projects. In addition, electric scooters are authorized, which makes the sudden ban on electric scooter-bikes even more difficult to understand.
If scooters can be driven, why not electric mopeds which are just as safe if not safer and suitable for urban use? In addition, the use of electric mopeds is an ecological and sustainable alternative solution for mobility in the city.
Economical solution
Riding a moped means giving more people access to mobility. New, the average purchase cost is between $1,500 and $2,500 on average. Less expensive than a traditional electric bike and certainly more accessible than a car, it allows many people who cannot afford a car to get around town efficiently.
In addition, with some models, it is even possible to take a passenger. Then, once acquired, the maintenance costs are very low and no refueling is required.
While all new vehicles will have to be electric by 2035 and the purchase of an electric vehicle is subsidized, it is inconceivable that an electric moped does not have its place on the road. These vehicles are electric and offer a zero-emission option for urban travel.
With Montreal among the 50 most congested cities in the world, drivers are often stuck in traffic jams. New modes of transportation that take up less space than a car help to smooth traffic flow and make getting around the city easier. And because of their small size, they also help reduce the need for parking.
It is time to innovate rather than repress. Our laws and regulations must evolve to allow a variety of modes of transport to meet the different needs of citizens. Electric mopeds are a viable solution for many users and should be integrated into our vision of sustainable and ecological urban mobility.
We have 90 days to submit comments to the SAAQ so that this order is amended and the use of these vehicles is regulated, rather than prohibited. It is time to make your voice heard.