Riding electric in Toronto the Good

Posted on September 12, 2008 at 7:08 pm by Qasim Virjee

My 2007 Veloteq Commander SHO

My 2007 Veloteq Commander SHO

Last summer I caught wind of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation’s Power-Assisted Bicycle pilot programme and was immediately excited by the prospect of cruising through Toronto’s downtown streets without pedaling.  Though I love my bicycle, I’ve turned down too many social invitations to far-off regions of the city (like, ahem, Roncesvalles) because the bike ride would take too long and riding the TTC both ways would entail coming home early enough to not suffer waiting around for the next streetcar/bus/etc…

After some creative Google-ing, I had located the four downtown dealers of these wonderful contraptions and set off to check out Silent Rider, located just down from my flat – next to the St Lawrence Market.  As they had just opened I resolved to return in Spring to inspect a fuller range of models, and researched the larger picture during the winter.

It turns out that most e-bikes are manufactured from parts made in China.  Though power assisted bicycles may not be a new concept, even in China the electric scooter is a fairly new product – which means that technologies they employ are still evolving.  In Toronto there are just a handful of folks either importing scooters from China (like Blue Avenue – or from China through US distributors like Segway of Ontario) or bringing in parts from there to assemble into their own-branded models (namely, Daymak and Electro-Wheels) – but all of them pretty much use the same components, so the differences between ‘brands’ are more nuanced than with say, the combustion-engine motor industry.

The front panel

The front panel

Some models of electric scooter are obviously set apart from each other – so shopping for one isn’t extremely difficult; for example – Blue Avenue sells scooters with motors rated less than 500Watts; which means that they aren’t going to wow you with speed and, if anything, may not have enough power to carry more than one lightweight person.  In addition to wattage I would recommend paying attention to technical differences between disc and drum braking systems on the front/rear wheels, battery-types, security/locking systems and overall run-distance on a single charge.

Ultimately, it wasn’t until I returned to Silent Rider this Spring that I realized my fascination with electric scooters went beyond being a Gear Whore in search of cool new technology… As soon as I first turned the key on an ’07 Veloteq Commander SHO and promptly jumped into busy Jarvis Street rush-hour traffic I knew that I was riding the beginning of a very large wave, one so exciting that i returned to the store with $2,000 minutes after and bought the very show model I tested.

There is a serenity to cruising around our streets on a motor vehicle which makes almost no sound – the slight whirring of the motor is only made when its engaged and is more comforting than noisy – in fact, when I’m on my scooter I feel more attentive to the road and its madness than combustion-engine motorists around me because my vehicle makes no noise.  Of course, its not unsafe for them to be quiet – you’ll typically find that any electric scooter sold in Ontario should have things like turn signals, a headlamp, brake lights, a horn and indicator lights.

Unfortunately Canada has been slow to adopt electric vehicles (ref: Zenn) – and our provinces have been cautious with letting them on highways… a result of which could be Ontario restricting the Power-Assisted Bicycle pilot such that e-bikes can’t legally go faster than 32kmph or be powered by motors rated over 500W.  This hesitance is increasingly frustrating as the pilot limits how much positive response the Ministry of Transportation might receive when they arbitrate licensing issues for these vehicles in October 2009:

  • Speed-governed scooters are less attractive to people who want to replace combustion-engine scooters are are willing to throw down thousands of dollars to do so – slightly devaluing their marketability when the pilot is over.
  • Low-wattage motors limit the usefulness of the scooters by generally disallowing an additional passenger.
  • A 500W motor can potentially drive a scooter up to 45kmph – why limit the speed when most roads downtown are about 40 kmph?
  • The range of electric scooter brands available internationally may not be represented in the Ontario market until after the pilot is over – manufacturers may not wish to under-rate the performance of their models to appease the pilot when they’ll need revision next year anyway.
  • Local monopolies in the market are already forming by the few (2?) companies willing to sell models in accordance with the current pilot regulations.
  • Owners of electric scooters in Ontario cannot accurately reflect potential demand for electric scooters employing cutting-edge technologies such as UltraCapacitor batteries in combination with higher-powered motors (ultimately yielding faster charge times and longer run-distance.)

Unfortunately this pilot program classes electric scooters in the same lot as power-assisted bicycles which *need* pedalling to move though they are very different types of vehicle and I hate to see the association limit scooters’ appeal and usefulness to their riders.

Even with the limited choice we currently have on the Ontario market for electric scooters, I think they’re a wise buy. Despite the large up-front cost to buy one ($1,500 – $2,500), there is very little maintenance and each charge costs less than $1 of electricity.  Comparing an electric to a combustion-engine scooter: in addition to reducing environmental impact by not using petrol, they don’t pollute the air with exhaust and most noticeably; they don’t add to the already high levels of noise pollution in our (urban) environments.

Disclosure: I bought my scooter @ Silent Rider and highly recommend visiting their shop.

Take a look @ my scooter and a short ride around Spadina and Queen st in Toronto.
(Note – the bumpiness is due to camera-shake:)

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13 Comments

  1. Nice ride!

    GravatarComment by Lisa Santonato — September 13, 2008 @ 1:13 am

  2. How well does it work on the 8% incline Bathurst hill at Davenport?

    GravatarComment by W. K. Lis — September 13, 2008 @ 8:09 am

  3. I saw a guy trying to pedal one of these up a hill. I guess his battery died. Hilarious.

    GravatarComment by Triceratops — September 13, 2008 @ 11:02 am

  4. Great video!

    I’d love one of the more powerful 1500w models (up to 55kph) that aren’t available here. Why can’t we get them in Ontario? I realize they can’t be classified as “e-bikes” under this pilot program, but wouldn’t they be available under similar licensing as a regular gas-powered scooter?

    In Ontario, that means you would have to get a regular class M license or class M with “condition L” for “Limited Speed Motorcycles” to a max of 70kph. If you’re a new motorcycle/scooter driver that means starting the whole graduated licensing process.

    Is this licensing barrier to market adoption keeping the faster 1500w models off the market? Or is some other conservative regulatory barrier stifling market innovation?

    GravatarComment by Mark Kuznicki — September 13, 2008 @ 5:08 pm

  5. @ WK Lis: That incline is a cinch, however I took it up the hill southbound from lawrence on yonge and pretty much had to walk next to the scooter while running the motor! :)

    @ Mark: The pilot program really seems to be lacking in foresight and frankly, I think it was offered as a cop-out for people in the Ministry who were lazy or unable to do research into the state of electric vehicles internationally; from both rider and market perspectives.

    As far as I know, other provinces in Canada have legally assumed electric scooters/ebikes as bicycles without a pilot program. Throughout the country it seems that electric scooters are being limited by this classification and yes, it would be nice to see them even licensed the same as gas scooters as long as their speed/run-distance performance were equitable.

    After just now being stopped by a policeman on Adelaide St in Toronto for riding in the middle of the lane and told off for ’saving a few bucks’ by not getting a ‘real’ scooter, I’m really wondering if the legal system and its enforcers realize that electric vehicles *don’t need to be slow* ugly things with pedals.

    Its interesting to note that the Ontario Highway Traffic Act hasn’t really been amended or developed since it was enacted in 1990 – including specific provisions for electric vehicles might be a major headache for provincial bureaucracy?!?!

    I wonder if there are any political/legal lobby groups forming from the EV supply-side to tackle these issues?

    GravatarComment by Qasim Virjee — September 13, 2008 @ 7:04 pm

  6. Who Killed the Electric Car? The same people who will try to Kill the Electric Bike. The Auto Industry. Alberta chose not allow E-Bikes onto their roads at all. Ontario chose the Pilot Program Method to discourage people from buying one. I ride a Veloteq Commuter and just like the name dictates I use it for Commuting…$1.38 per litre…I don’t care. I have been riding one for two years now and to put it mildly…it was the best purchase I have ever made….

    GravatarComment by Bobby — September 13, 2008 @ 9:48 pm

  7. I own a car, a bike and an e-bike. Each one has it’s place.
    My Bicycle is great when the trip is within reason. My Car is for the long trips. My E-Bike is for everything else in between. Mine has the new “gear reduction” so no problem on steep hills. I am 260 pounds and wanted to be sure I wasn’t pushing it ever. Be careful of stores advertising 500 watts when they are really 350 watts. Also some stores advertise two batteries. One is 14 amps and the other is 7. You are better off going with one 20 amp hour battery. Think I will go for a ride right now.

    GravatarComment by Willy Wheely — September 14, 2008 @ 9:07 am

  8. I ride just a regular old style 10 speed bicycle and average at least 20 – 30 km per hour on my bike. (I do slow down on hills) I see scooter style e-bikes all the time in my area (Toronto Beaches) and while I would never ride one, the people riding them (older than me by 20 years at least) seem to enjoy them…I don’t know what the big hoo-haw is with them legally…they are no faster than a regular bike and seem to help out a certain demographic age group get out and about so who cares…Who knows…in 20 or 30 years I may want one….So I am all for them…Better than a car any day of the week. Just because I don’t want one doesn’t mean I don’t like one. I don’t want roller skates either but hey… if it feels good…do it!

    GravatarComment by Lester Lombarski — September 14, 2008 @ 5:14 pm

  9. “The pilot program really seems to be lacking in foresight and frankly, I think it was offered as a cop-out for people in the Ministry who were lazy or unable to do research into the state of electric vehicles internationally; from both rider and market perspectives.”

    Couldn’t have said it better myself…Whenever I have asked someone from the Minsitry about the reason Ontario Chose to make it a pilot program in the first place,rather than to adopt it as did BC, Quebec, N.S. and Manitoba… I have been given lame excuses that do not even make sense. I have actually spoke to reps from the Ministry who are not even aware of the pilot program…Pencil Pushers waiting for Fridays…Nobody even wants to hear about the 5 year track record that BC has on e-bikes. Ontario, open up your mind just a wee bit. Don’t be afraid…it’s just the future,

    GravatarComment by Dave D. — September 14, 2008 @ 5:40 pm

  10. Great post, very informative and fun.

    I love my e-bike. I ride it every chance I get! To the store, around town, on the various bike trails around my city. The only problem is that in Kitchener-Waterloo the traffic moves FAST, and there aren’t enough bike trails.
    I must get approached by a curious bystander once every three rides I take. Everyone stops and stares. Several laugh. That is fine by me however, after all. I spend a couple cents for my trip. They spend ten dollars in their automobile! Automobile!! (sorry, Sixteen Candles flashback).
    I agree with Dave D., the previous post. Ontario, it is time to open your minds, and stop being in such a damn hurry!

    GravatarComment by Ian — September 15, 2008 @ 8:49 pm

  11. Hi guys like the Video, iw anted to comment some of us “Vendors” sell the bikes lower than the 1500, ours are 1249-1349 and do well on a 20+ high for the other guy who asked, due to the recharging aspect of the motor i get 80+ km in range, and at a constant 32 km in speed its nice.
    well this is just a Hello as i liked the posting,
    from Ottawa
    Charles

    GravatarComment by Charles Jonah — September 18, 2008 @ 3:36 pm

  12. “After just now being stopped by a policeman on Adelaide St in Toronto for riding in the middle of the lane and told off for ’saving a few bucks’ by not getting a ‘real’ scooter, I’m really wondering if the legal system and its enforcers realize that electric vehicles *don’t need to be slow* ugly things with pedals.”

    There was a letter from the training office, Rick Line out of Toronto that deals specifically with this. Currently it has been published on several websites including scootalongofwindsor.googlepages.com and http://www.golectric.com . It states that these are legal to be driven.

    If you are getting hassled you need to follow up with the department. As well, if you get any tick3ets for having ebikes on the road, there are recourses that can assist you. Not so much for stupid stuff, like drinking and driving or careless driving ect, but for having an ebike on the road.

    Alberta does allow ebikes on thier roads and they have been lobbying recently for increased speeds and motor power (750W instead of current 500). These bikes aren’t for everyone. But personally, I love having extra money to go places that I WANT to go to, instead of spending money on gas to go to work.

    GravatarComment by Katie — October 20, 2008 @ 10:51 am

  13. I’ve had an e-bike for 10 months now and really love it.  I do find that I have needed to change my attitude from rush everywhere in my car to take in the scenery and enjoy the ride, since it takes me a little longer to get where I’m going on my e-bike.  However, the ride is so smooth, the noise is almost unnoticeable (I sneak up on squirrels!) and I love connecting with the view and the people I pass as I drive.  I hope the legislation in October is friendly and supportive of allowing these biked without a need for licensing, and that eventually the speed inceases on them or the battery power increases.  I ran into a chap from Winnipeg who owns one, and he said he was able to double his battery power…didn’t get into the specifics, but would love to know if anyone has ideas of how to increase their riding time.

    Happy e-biking!

    GravatarComment by Wendy — March 10, 2009 @ 4:02 pm

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