They aren’t legal as e-bikes. Every province we’ve checked against official sources limits e-bike motors to 500 W and motor assistance to 32 km/h. A bike over those limits doesn’t qualify as an e-bike, so it falls under the rules for mopeds or motorcycles, with a licence, registration and insurance.
Limits by province
| Province | Motor limit | Assist cut-off | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | 500 W continuous (standard e-bike) | 32 km/h | B.C. rules |
| Alberta | 500 W (federal definition) | 32 km/h | Alberta rules |
| Saskatchewan | 500 W | 32 km/h | Saskatchewan rules |
| Manitoba | 500 W | 32 km/h | Manitoba rules |
| Ontario | 500 W, 120 kg | 32 km/h | Ontario rules |
| Quebec | 500 W | 32 km/h | Quebec rules |
| Nova Scotia | 500 W | 32 km/h | Nova Scotia rules |
| Prince Edward Island | 500 W, 120 kg | 32 km/h | P.E.I. rules |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 500 W | 32 km/h | N.L. rules |
New Brunswick’s Motor Vehicle Act doesn’t define e-bikes at all; see our New Brunswick page. We haven’t yet checked the territories against their own laws.
What happens to a bike over 500 W
SGI treats electric cycles over 500 W, or without pedals, as motorcycles. Ontario says modifying a motor past 500 W or 32 km/h is illegal, and that removing the pedals makes the bike a motor vehicle that needs a licence, insurance and registration. B.C. says a motorized cycle that doesn’t meet its e-bike rules may need a licence, registration and insurance, and that riding one can bring a fine or impoundment.
Registering a bike as a moped or motorcycle needs a federal safety compliance label (CMVSS), which most e-bikes don’t have. B.C. lists motorized cycles without operable pedals or that label among the devices that can’t be used on public roads.
Why 750 W bikes are sold in Canada
U.S. federal law defines a low-speed electric bicycle as one with a motor under 750 W, so many brands design to that figure and sell the same bikes online in Canada. Some brands sell a Canadian version with a 500 W rated motor and a 32 km/h cut-off. Others ship the U.S. model, and nothing at checkout stops you from buying it.
Rated power and peak power
Motors have a rated (continuous or nominal) power and a higher peak power they can reach for short bursts. B.C.‘s regulation applies its 500 W limit to the motor’s continuous power output rating, so a motor rated at 500 W that peaks higher still fits. The other provinces’ official pages give a single 500 W figure without saying which rating they mean.
A spec sheet that says “500 W nominal, 750 W peak” describes a 500 W motor. One that says “750 W” with no qualifier usually means a 750 W rated motor.
Before you buy
- Find the motor’s rated power on the spec sheet or the label on the motor, not only the peak figure.
- Check that motor assistance stops at 32 km/h. Some bikes ship with a higher setting, or a “class 3” mode set to 45 km/h.
- Ask the seller whether the model is a Canadian version.
- Keep the spec sheet. It shows the bike met the limits when you bought it.
If you already own a 750 W bike, a shop can sometimes lower the speed setting, but the motor’s rating doesn’t change. Our guide to repairing online-bought e-bikes covers which shops will work on them.