A Wahnapitae man is facing multiple charges after Nipissing West Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a tip about a possible prohibited driver riding a modified power-assisted bicycle to Sudbury on a daily basis.

A statement from police says while patrolling through Coniston, officers observed an e-bike and while following it, confirmed it did not have pedals, making it a motor vehicle under the Highway Traffic Act.

Officers stopped the vehicle on East Street in Coniston.

As a result of the police investigation, Denis Pilotte, 52, was charged with operation while impaired with a blood-alcohol concentration over .08, operation while prohibited, three counts of driving while under suspension, operating a motor vehicle without insurance, using a plate not authorized for a vehicle and disobeying a stop sign.

Pilotte’s e-bike was impounded for seven days and he was issued a 90-day automatic driver’s licence suspension.

He was released on bail and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Sudbury Aug. 21.

E-bikes in Ontario must have working pedals, an electric motor not exceeding 500 watts, a maximum speed of 32 km/h, a maximum weight of 120 kg and a permanent label from the manufacturer in both English and French stating that the e-bike conforms to the federal definition of a power-assisted bicycle, OPP say.

It is illegal to modify an e-bike’s motor to make it more powerful or to increase the speed of the e-bike.

“If you remove the pedals from your e-bike, it is no longer considered to be an e-bike because it does not conform with the Highway Traffic Act definition of a power-assisted bicycle,” the OPP warns.

“Removing the pedals makes it an illegal vehicle. You could be ticketed for operating a motor vehicle without registration and insurance.”

The OPP also notes that it is a Criminal Code offence to drink and ride an e-bike.

Anyone operating an e-bike intoxicated could be charged for impaired driving.

If convicted, the offender would be subject to penalties under the Criminal Code, including a fine or jail time, and a driving prohibition.