I am writing to you, Madam Minister Geneviève Guilbault, to bring to your attention an unfair situation caused by a ministerial decree dated July 30, 2024. It stipulates that access to public roads is prohibited for electric bicycles resembling mopeds or electric bikes. scooters that do not comply with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) and that do not bear the National Safety Mark (MNS) affixed by the manufacturer at the factory. This applies, unfortunately, to the model I own, the NIU UQi+.
I am one of those who, driven by the housing crisis and the real estate overbidding, have taken up residence on the South Shore. However, I still work in Montreal and must be able to go there at any time of the day, weekdays and weekends — especially outside rush hours. I also regularly have to attend events that end late in the evening.
I live 5.6 km from the Longueuil–Université-de-Sherbrooke metro station (a distance too far to walk) and 14 km from my workplace in Montreal.
When I moved in 2022, I rationally and conscientiously evaluated my transportation options in order to avoid purchasing a second car and invest in sustainable inter-city mobility. It was very important for me to make an ecological, economical, practical choice that was as flexible as my schedule. I felt at the forefront of the environmental transition, which requires us to make consumption choices that are different from what we are used to.
At the time, I was looking for an alternative to the car, but also to public transportation, which is not frequent enough outside of peak hours and overpriced ($9 round trip from Longueuil to Montreal). . To my dismay, the bus and metro are no match for the low cost, speed and flexibility of the car. It takes one hour and 15 minutes to travel from my home to my workplace by public transport, compared to 20 or 25 minutes by car.
I then heard that it was tolerated to use the multifunctional path of the Jacques-Cartier bridge with a model of small scooter (a moped) which does not exceed 32 km/h. I really liked the option of not pedaling; a trip is not necessarily a sporting expedition, and the Jacques-Cartier Bridge trail is known to be demanding.
I was able to try out the moped model in question at a dealership that has been established in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal for several years. Luckily, I found it used on Marketplace. I still paid $2300 for it.
However, since July 30, I can no longer travel. Worse, I can’t even register my vehicle because my model has been classified as non-compliant. Can I fix this by modifying the scooter? Why, a priori, was its sale allowed? Why attack mopeds? Why not invite them to take the bridge to relieve traffic congestion? Why not legislate instead of banning? Is it because there have been civic problems on cycle paths? I was aware that the media had relayed several complaints from cyclists overwhelmed by the presence of mopeds on cycle lanes.
Did this influence your decision? And what about those who are courteous and respect the Highway Safety Code? If we followed this logic, we would ban cars. This seems unfair to me.
In short, this ministerial decree, announced without notice and implementing heavy reprimands overnight, is a shock for all users of these vehicles. We are left without recourse, without the possibility of being compensated, forced to find new solutions to move around. Our vehicles are no longer worth anything and we cannot get rid of them easily. It’s a situation that causes stress and financial distress.
I know that your government is very sensitive to interregional mobility, particularly inter-regional. However, not everyone has the advantage or even the means or the desire to travel by car. The scooter I own is an accessible choice for a less affluent population who aspire and deserve as much freedom as a car…at the same price (or less) as a quality electric bike (vulnerable to theft).
I therefore ask you to reconsider this discriminatory decision, which goes against the ecological values promoted by your government that the fight against climate change requires of us. With my NIU UQi+, I emit no GHGs. In addition, my trip is pleasant and increases my well-being. I ask you to revoke this ban and relax the rules for sharing the road, particularly on bridges.
Signed: one less car in traffic.