At city hall Thursday there was a fight about equality — bicycle equality.

The public works committee has been asked to review its policy around electric bicycles: specifically, whether e-riders should be able to use cycling infrastructure such as the new Sherbourne separated lanes or park trails.

According to city bylaws, only bicycles that are “propelled by muscular power” are allowed on city bike lanes. E-riders argue the roads aren’t safe for their limited horsepower.

Complicating the issue is that the province seems to put e-bikes in the same category as traditional bikes. Toronto bylaws override that legislation, and in this city an e-rider using a motor on a park trail can be fined $305.

Chair Denzil Minnan-Wong put forward a motion to have city staff examine these issues and report back in the spring. The committee also decided to take about 20 minutes to hear from a handful of electric bike riders who showed up to plead their case.

Deputant and electric bike rider Ray Stasiulis, 47, called it a matter of life and death.

Without the use of bike lanes, his commute to northeast Mississauga from the west end would be “too dangerous, perhaps life-threatening.”

Philip Cass, 52, touted the environmental benefits and noted he spends just $1 a week to keep his gas-less hog on the road, whereas a car would cost him at least $25.

“I’m here to support e-bike equality,” he told the committee.

Jim Thompson, who is a member of the Toronto Electric Riders Association, also made the safety argument.

Thompson says he’s never had a cyclist tell him to “get out of our lanes.”

But that’s what Minnan-Wong has been hearing.

The councillor said the feedback he’s received from some Toronto cyclists is that e-bikes take up a lot of space and move too quickly.

Left-wing councillor Mike Layton said afterwards he’s had a close call with an electric scooter before, after it silently sneaked up on his passing side in a bike lane, then whizzed past.

“They’re so quiet — that’s the problem,” he said.

Jared Kolb, director of campaigns and membership with Cycle Toronto, said the term “e-bike” is too vague.

“You’ve got to divide it. There are electric scooters and pedal-assist bicycles. We’re okay with pedal-assist bicycles using bike infrastructure,” he said.

Pedal-assist bicycles look like a typical bicycle with a small box on the back. The scooters, which look something like a Vespa, are a different story.

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“The excessive speed, weight and size of electric scooters are dangerous for cyclists in using (bike lanes and trails),” he said.

An old-fashioned bike rider will usually cruise between 15 and 20 km/h. Electric scooter riders can reach speeds of 35 km/h.

These are the issues that staff will examine, Minnan-Wong said.

Astrid Idlewild, who recently graduated from McGill University with a master’s in urban planning, said she resented the fact that the committee would be addressing the issue. She later explained she believes the Ford administration’s anti-cycling agenda is embodied in Minnan-Wong and the public works committee in general.

TWO-WHEELED OPTIONS

Bicycle: (Above left) Muscle-powered.

Pedal-assist bicycle: (Above right) Includes an electric power source, which helps the rider use less energy and go faster, but doesn’t replace the need to pedal.

Electric scooter: Resembles a small motorcycle or Vespa but runs solely on electric power.

You don’t need a licence to ride any e-bike, but you must be at least 16.

Under provincial law, pedal assist bicycles and electric scooters are both considered e-bikes. As of 2009, all e-bikes are allowed on roads that convention bicycles can use. In fact, according to the province: “E-bikes are allowed to travel anywhere bicycles are permitted to travel.” However, “Municipalities may also pass by-laws specific to e-bikes that prohibit them from municipal roads, sidewalks, bike paths, bike trails and bike lanes under their jurisdiction,” which Toronto has done.

In Toronto, no e-bikes are allowed on bike lanes or trails, and in city parks, riders can’t use any motor. So pedal-assist cyclists who turn off the power source can ride in parks. The fine for disobeying is $305.

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