Item - 2020.IE14.11
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on July 28, 2020 without amendments and without debate.
- This item was considered by Infrastructure and Environment Committee on July 9, 2020 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on July 28, 2020.
- See also 2021.IE22.15
- See also By-law 602-2020
IE14.11 - Regulatory Clarity for E-Cargo Cycles
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted on Consent
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on July 28 and 29, 2020, adopted the following:
1. City Council request the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to review and revise the Ministry's definition of a power-assisted bicycle to differentiate between different e-bike types including e-cargo cycles (e.g., bicycle-style e-bikes including pedelecs and throttle-only, and scooter-style e-bikes) and to work with the City of Toronto and other municipalities to ensure that definitions are consistent across jurisdictions by Fall 2020.
2. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to develop a proposed regulatory framework for micromobility that differentiates between different e-bike types including e-cargo cycles (e.g., bicycle-style e-bikes including pedelecs and throttle-only, and scooter-style e-bikes), and the infrastructure that they are permitted to use, in consultation with cycling groups, road safety groups, e-bike and cargo bike manufacturers, distributors, and users, and other relevant stakeholders and City Divisions, and to report to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in Spring 2021.
3. City Council amend Section 886-1 of City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 886, Footpaths, Pedestrian Ways, Bicycle Paths, Bicycle Lanes and Cycle Tracks, by inserting a new Section C as follows:
C. As used in Sections 886-14 and 886-15 of this chapter, the following term shall have the meaning indicated:
BICYCLE - Includes a bicycle, tricycle, unicycle, and a power-assisted bicycle which requires pedalling for propulsion ("pedelec"), or other similar vehicle, but does not include any vehicle or bicycle capable of being propelled or driven solely by any power other than muscular power.
4. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to report on progress in the Freight and Goods Movement Strategy in Fall 2020 on pilot project proposals for e-cargo cycles, including potential for feasibility of requiring evidence of driver training and other initiatives with industry and government partners.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-148402.pdf
Communications (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/ie/comm/communicationfile-108268.pdf
(July 8, 2020) Letter from Darnel Harris, Executive Director, Our Greenway Conservancy and Sam Starr, Project Lead, Velologistics and Critical Mobility, Our Greenway Conservancy (IE.New.IE14.11.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/ie/comm/communicationfile-108368.pdf
Communications (City Council)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/comm/communicationfile-113968.pdf
(July 27, 2020) Letter from Michael Longfield, Interim Executive Director, Cycle Toronto (CC.New.IE14.11.4)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/comm/communicationfile-114548.pdf
11a - Pedal-Assisted Cargo Cycles Over 40kg
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-149574.pdf
(June 30, 2020) Member Motion from Councillor James Pasternak on 40KG Bike Exemptions
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-149654.pdf
IE14.11 - Regulatory Clarity for E-Cargo Cycles
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:
1. City Council request the Ontario Ministry of Transportation review and revise their definition of a power-assisted bicycle to differentiate between different e-bike types including e-cargo cycles (e.g., bicycle-style e-bikes including pedelecs and throttle-only, and scooter-style e-bikes) and that they work with the City of Toronto and other municipalities to ensure that definitions are consistent between jurisdictions by Fall 2020.
2. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, to develop a proposed regulatory framework for micromobility that differentiates between different e-bike types including e-cargo cycles (e.g., bicycle-style e-bikes including pedelecs and throttle-only, and scooter-style e-bikes), and the infrastructure that they are permitted to use, in consultation with cycling groups, road safety groups, e-bike and cargo bike manufacturers, distributors, and users, and other relevant stakeholders and City Divisions, and to report to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in Spring 2021.
3. City Council amend Section 886-1 of City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 886, Footpaths, Pedestrian Ways, Bicycle Paths, Bicycle Lanes and Cycle Tracks, by inserting a new Section C as follows:
C. As used in Sections 886-14 and 886-15 of this chapter, the following term shall have the meaning indicated:
BICYCLE - Includes a bicycle, tricycle, unicycle, and a power-assisted bicycle which requires pedalling for propulsion ("pedelec"), or other similar vehicle, but does not include any vehicle or bicycle capable of being propelled or driven solely by any power other than muscular power.
4. City Council request that the General Manager, Transportation Services, report on progress in its Freight and Goods Movement Strategy in Fall 2020 on pilot project proposals for e-cargo cycles, including potential for feasibility of requiring evidence of driver training and other initiatives with industry and government partners.
Origin
Summary
Cycling is a popular, sustainable, and viable mode of transportation in Toronto. Its popularity has increased since the onset of the pandemic as more people seek alternatives to get around the City safely, and more businesses are interested in cycling solutions for delivering goods in urban areas. The benefits are numerous: reducing GHG emissions and transportation-related air pollutants, reducing traffic congestion, and protecting more public space for amenities such as outdoor dining.
Transportation Services have done tremendous work in expanding bike infrastructure through ActiveTO. One element that remains missing is regulatory clarity for pedal-assisted e-cargo cycles, in order to expand their use by residents who are shopping, or for businesses to make deliveries using the City's new and existing cycle tracks.
Pedal-assisted e-cargo cycles can be used for transporting shopping, deliveries, and even safely carrying children. However, a limiting factor for increasing the use and uptake of e-cargo cycles is the weight restriction of 40kg for determining which bicycles are allowed on cycle tracks. While e-cargo cycles weighing more than 40kg can use bike lanes, it makes sense to extend this ability to cycle tracks for pedal-assist e-cargo cycles, and we can do this today – in recognition of cycling as a viable form of transportation. Online shopping has surged during the pandemic and is expected to continue in the long-term, resulting in increased demands for deliveries.
With the tens of thousands of cyclists making use of the City's cycling infrastructure recently, the City has an opportunity to proactively update its policies to provide regulatory clarity for residents and for businesses interested in the use of e-cargo cycles. Cycling is a green economic development opportunity. A further next step is having clarity and consistency about the rules for operating pedal-assisted and power-assisted bicycles, which are confusing to consumers due to the different regulations by different orders of government and the different styles of power-assisted bicycles.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-148402.pdf
Communications
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/ie/comm/communicationfile-108268.pdf
(July 8, 2020) Letter from Darnel Harris, Executive Director, Our Greenway Conservancy and Sam Starr, Project Lead, Velologistics and Critical Mobility, Our Greenway Conservancy (IE.New.IE14.11.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/ie/comm/communicationfile-108368.pdf
Motions
Adopt the Recommendations in the staff report (July 8, 2020) from the General Manager, Transportation Services (Item IE14.11a):
1. City Council request the Ontario Ministry of Transportation review and revise their definition of a power-assisted bicycle to differentiate between different e-bike types including e-cargo cycles (e.g., bicycle-style e-bikes including pedelecs and throttle-only, and scooter-style e-bikes) and consult with stakeholders, including municipalities, to ensure that definitions are consistent among jurisdictions.
2. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, to develop a proposed regulatory framework for micromobility that differentiates between different e-bike types including e-cargo cycles (e.g., bicycle-style e-bikes including pedelecs and throttle-only, and scooter-style e-bikes), and the infrastructure that they are permitted to use, in consultation with cycling groups, road safety groups, e-bike and e-cargo bike manufacturers, distributors, and users, and other relevant stakeholders and City Divisions, and to report to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in 2021, pending applicable consultations.
3. City Council amend Section 886-1 of City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 886, Footpaths, Pedestrian Ways, Bicycle Paths, Bicycle Lanes and Cycle Tracks, by inserting a new Section C as follows:
C. As used in Sections 886-14 and 886-15 of this chapter, the following term shall have the meaning indicated:
BICYCLE - Includes a bicycle, tricycle, unicycle, and a power-assisted bicycle which requires pedalling for propulsion ("pedelec"), or other similar vehicle, but does not include any vehicle or bicycle capable of being propelled or driven solely by any power other than muscular power.
4. City Council request that the General Manager, Transportation Services, report on progress in its Freight and Goods Movement Strategy in Fall 2020 on pilot project proposals for e-cargo cycles, including potential for feasibility of requiring evidence of driver training and other initiatives with industry and government partners.
11a - Pedal-Assisted Cargo Cycles Over 40kg
Origin
Summary
Online shopping has surged during COVID-19 and is anticipated to continue in the long-term, resulting in increased demands for deliveries. Pedal-assisted cargo cycles will help residents and businesses transport shopping and deliveries. While e-cargo cycles over 40kg are allowed in bike lanes in Toronto, they are not allowed in cycle tracks. This report is seeking to extend this permission to cycle tracks for pedal-assisted cargo cycles weighing more than 40kg.
In addition, this report recommends further steps to support e-cargo cycles and micromobility. These include working with the Province on greater regulatory clarity on the different e-bike types, and requesting permission from the Province to pursue pilot projects for e-cargo bike deliveries where exemptions are needed from existing restrictions such as a 120kg weight limit for power-assisted bicycles under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-149574.pdf
(June 30, 2020) Member Motion from Councillor James Pasternak on 40KG Bike Exemptions
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-149654.pdf