**From ICBC - Electric motor-assisted cycle* **
A motor-assisted cycle is a two- or three-wheeled cycle with a seat, pedals and an electric motor. Does not require registration, vehicle licence or insurance. Operator does not require driver’s licence but must be 16 years of age or older.
• Operator is required by law to wear a bicycle helmet.
• May be operated on the road like any bicycle, except where unicipal bylaws restrict operation.
• The motor must be electric and have a total combined rated output of not more than 500 watts and be incapable of propelling the cycle at a speed greater than 32 km/h on level ground, without pedaling.
NOTE: Gas-powered cycles and electric cycles without attached pedals don’t qualify as an electric motor-assisted cycle. That means they cannot be used on-road as they can’t pass a provincial motor vehicle inspection and therefore cannot be registered, licensed or insured for on-road use.
Resources -
[http://www.icbc.com/vehicle-registration/specialty-vehicles/Low-powered-vehicles/Documents/low-powered.pdf](http://www.icbc.com/vehicle-registration/specialty-vehicles/Low-powered-vehicles/Documents/low-powered.pdf)
[http://www.icbc.com/vehicle-registration/specialty-vehicles/Low-powered-vehicles/Pages/Electric-bikes.aspx](http://www.icbc.com/vehicle-registration/specialty-vehicles/Low-powered-vehicles/Pages/Electric-bikes.aspx)
[http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/151_2002](http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/151_2002)
July 25, 2017, 5:37 p.m. - Neil Humphrey
**From ICBC - Electric motor-assisted cycle* ** A motor-assisted cycle is a two- or three-wheeled cycle with a seat, pedals and an electric motor. Does not require registration, vehicle licence or insurance. Operator does not require driver’s licence but must be 16 years of age or older. • Operator is required by law to wear a bicycle helmet. • May be operated on the road like any bicycle, except where unicipal bylaws restrict operation. • The motor must be electric and have a total combined rated output of not more than 500 watts and be incapable of propelling the cycle at a speed greater than 32 km/h on level ground, without pedaling. NOTE: Gas-powered cycles and electric cycles without attached pedals don’t qualify as an electric motor-assisted cycle. That means they cannot be used on-road as they can’t pass a provincial motor vehicle inspection and therefore cannot be registered, licensed or insured for on-road use. Resources - [http://www.icbc.com/vehicle-registration/specialty-vehicles/Low-powered-vehicles/Documents/low-powered.pdf](http://www.icbc.com/vehicle-registration/specialty-vehicles/Low-powered-vehicles/Documents/low-powered.pdf) [http://www.icbc.com/vehicle-registration/specialty-vehicles/Low-powered-vehicles/Pages/Electric-bikes.aspx](http://www.icbc.com/vehicle-registration/specialty-vehicles/Low-powered-vehicles/Pages/Electric-bikes.aspx) [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/151_2002](http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/151_2002)