E-Cycle Electric Bicycles and Bike Scooters are classified by ICBC as a Motor-Assisted Cycle (MAC). According to ICBC regulations, MACs are two or three-wheeled cycles with a seat, pedals and an electric motor that is either 500W or less. MACs can widely differ in appearances: Some can look just like a bicycle with a small motor in the back, and some can look like a scooter with bike pedals on the side.
Conditions/Requirements for a MAC:
- The electric motor must be 500 watts or less and be capable of propelling the cycle no faster than 32km/hr on level ground without pedaling.
- It must be equipped with a mechanism that either allows the driver to turn the motor on and off OR prevents the motor from turning on or engaging before the MAC attains a speed of 3km/hr.
- The motor must disengage when the operator does at least one of the following:
- Stops pedaling OR
- Releases the accelerator OR
- Applies a brake
- The motor cannot be gas-powered
- It must be capable of being propelled by "muscular power" using the pedals, but it is not necessary to always be pedaling.
