(NORFOLK COUNTY, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Norfolk County Detachment responded to an incident at a Norfolk Street South, Simcoe, Norfolk County, Ontario address.
On Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at approximately 6:52 p.m., a concerned resident contacted police after observing a female operating an e-bike on the roadway with a toddler.
Through investigation it was determined that a female was observed on Norfolk Street North operating an e-bike with a toddler strapped into a child seat. Police attended the area and located the e-bike, female and toddler and found that the child seat was secured with only bungee cords.
E-bike owners are being reminded that you can only carry passengers on your e-bike if it was designed for more than one person and passengers must be at least 16 years old. If the bike was designed for only one person then no passengers are allowed.
Police are urging everyone that operates an e-bike to review the safety requirements and to always put their safety a priority.
To operate an e-bike on Ontario’s public roads, the following vehicle safety and operator requirements are in place.
E-bikes must not weigh more than 120 kg (includes the weight of bike and battery).
All operators and passengers must be at least 16 years of age.
All operators and passengers must wear an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmets.
All electrical terminals must be completely covered.
Two independent braking systems consistent with requirements for motorcycles and motor-assisted bicycles (mopeds) that applies force to each wheel and is capable of bringing the e-bike, while being operated at a speed of 30 km/h, to a full stop within 9 metres from the point at which the brakes were applied.
The minimum wheel width or diameter cannot be less than 35mm/350mm.
No modifications to the motor to allow it to exceed a power output greater than 500W and a speed greater than 32 km/h.
The battery and motor must be securely fastened to the vehicle to prevent them from moving while the e-bike is operating.
“This incident is a reminder to all e-bike owners to regularly review the safety and operator requirements to ensure everyone’s safety,” comments Constable Ed Sanchuk, Norfolk County, OPP.