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Toronto city council voted to allow e-bikes on bike lanes

Toronto city council voted to allow electric bikes to use bike lanes on Thursday. Only e-bikes weighing less than 40 kg and that require pedalling to move forward will have access to the lanes, reported CTV News.

E-bikes are already permitted on bike lanes in Ottawa; however, the issue remains controversial because of the safety concerns due to their weight, size and speeds.

“Any injuries to cyclists caused by e-bikes in bike lanes will be city council’s responsibility,” tweeted Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists, a cycling advocacy group.

 

According to a report on BlogTO, advocacy group Cycle Toronto states on its website, “we do not believe electric scooters should be permitted to use infrastructure intended for active transportation, as their speed, size and weight make them hazardous to others within those confines.”

Councillors, including Mayor Rob Ford and Coun. Denzil Minnan-Wong, chair of the public works committee, voted 23-17 in favour of allowing e-bikes on bike lanes in the city. According to a report in the Toronto StarMinnan-Wong is asking cyclists to consider the safety of e-bike users, some of whom are seniors and people with impaired mobility.

E-bikes are not permitted on off-road trails, walking paths or on physically separated bike lanes.

 

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