Big issue: e-bikes are a common sight on Bermuda’s roads (Photograph courtesy of the Bermuda Police Service)
HAMILTON, Bermuda-- Riders of e-bikes have until the end of October to license themselves and their vehicles, secure appropriate insurance and make sure they are wearing certified helmets.
Non-compliance with the deadline next month could give police the power to seize machines.
Owen Darrell, the Minister of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport, said that the number of e-bikes on the island’s roads has increased “far faster than most of us had ever expected”.
He added that other members of the community are sharing space with “machines that can now go faster than a car”.
Darrell listed four requirements that e-bike riders will need to meet by October 31.
They include licensing of e-bikes at the Transport Control Department as well as appropriate licences for riders of the vehicles.
He said: “Every e-bike must carry valid insurance, at a minimum that should be third-party insurance.”
The minister added: “Every rider must wear a proper, certified helmet.”
He said that a compliance window will open at the TCD for e-bike inspections and registrations on Saturdays, between 9am and 1pm, from September 26.
Darrell confirmed e-bikes fall under the Auxiliary Bicycles Act 1954. The legislation defines an auxiliary cycle as a vehicle with two or three wheels, intended or adapted for use on roads, that is “electrically propelled” or “mechanically propelled” with a “motor capacity not exceeding 50 cubic centimetres”.
The minister said: “(This law) has always applied to electrically propelled machines. What is changing, starting today, is that the Government is drawing a clear public line under the law.
“We are telling e-bike owners in Bermuda exactly what is required of them and giving them a fair and well supported window to meet those requirements.”
The announcements came after a number of incidents that caused concern for police, policymakers and the wider community. Last week, an e-bike rider was taken to hospital after colliding with a rental car. A Bermuda Police Service spokesman said the bike rider, travelling in the opposite direction, apparently lost control while trying to overtake along a bend. A 14-year-old boy was stopped in August after being clocked at 70 kilometres per hour, while investigations continue into a collision whereby a 71-year-old woman crossing a street in Hamilton was struck and injured by a 15-year-old male rider of an e-bike
“Every requirement exists for one reason, to make sure that people riding these machines, and the people sharing the road with them, come home safely,” Mr Darrell said.
“The ask of every e-bike owner in Bermuda is straightforward, please use this opportunity, please use this window, to get your e-bikes insured and licensed.”
Assistant Commissioner of Police Martin Weekes revealed that conversations had been taking place for “some time” with the TCD and the ministry.
“You will have to have a driver’s licence going forward to have these types of cycles,” he said.
“You will have to have a proper helmet and that’s a motorcycle helmet, not a pedal bike helmet.
“If you are off the road, if you are banned from driving, then you will no longer be able to use one of these.” Weekes encouraged all e-bike owners to go to TCD, while he confirmed those under the age of 16 will “no longer” be allowed to operate the vehicles. He also said that e-scooters fall under the same legislation. E-bikes fall into various categories, as explained earlier by Luke Lindo, the owner of Dr EV.
Pedal-assisted vehicles, in Class Two, are restricted to 20 miles per hour, while Class Three bikes reach 28mph.
Above that are e-motos, which can achieve top speeds of 62mph or 100km/h. Asked if the Government would look more closely at importation rules, Mr Darrell replied: “Absolutely.”
Work is under way between the ministry and insurers to make appropriate insurance products available for e-bike riders.
It is understood legislation will be amended to clearly state what classes of e-bikes fall under the Auxiliary Bicycles Act. Riders were encouraged to visit the TCD to submit their bike for testing. ~Royal Gazette~
