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Is there even a point in buying in B.C.


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I just sent an email to Victoria Segway Tours including your link to ICBC and asked them where I can ride it. If they offer tours they would know the laws and the class a Ninebot One is in. Maybe it is a motorized bicycle as the link just says pedals, not that they have to rotate. Few replies?;  that may be because so few on this forum live in BC. I have a mental image of the local socialist storm troops tasering me off it....... 

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I never thought of that. and also didn't know there was any of these products in B.C. Thank you 

I just sent an email to Victoria Segway Tours including your link to ICBC and asked them where I can ride it. If they offer tours they would know the laws and the class a Ninebot One is in. Maybe it is a motorized bicycle as the link just says pedals, not that they have to rotate. Few replies?;  that may be because so few on this forum live in BC. I have a mental image of the local socialist storm troops tasering me off it....... 

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Here is an interesting discussion that is off our topic but gives some insight into the thinking that exists in the legal system and BC laws regarding low power vehicles. It seems that EU's are not even classed in BC! I can't find any definition that fits them.

http://www.meetup.com/Electric-Bicycles/messages/boards/thread/25174522

I still haven't heard a response from a commercial operator and I would guess they would not want to stick their neck out with an opinion unless you were standing in front of them with $$$ to spend.

 

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14 views not one comment .

​A title that looks like a question - then only a link to a PDF, seems to be a legal issue I have no idea about, so why would I make a comment. Now I made one :)

Edited by manuelz
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This is part of what I got from a company that does Segway tours on the island:

You are correct about the laws however.  But in Nanaimo they have a bylaw that allows the Segway in their parks and on trails as a cycle defined as a two wheeled device human or electric powered.  Sidewalks and crosswalks are technically prohibited.  However, we know of a few people that use them as their primary transportation due to disability and have no issues.  We believe that if people get out and use them, are respectful and courteous they are not likely to have issues and frankly, it is probably the only way the laws will get changed.  Mike gets out and uses it frequently for trips to the mall or to just get out and enjoy the scenery!

 

The Ninebot One, we believe is a little different.  While it operates the same as a Segway it is more like a cycle and can probably be more easily be considered as one and you are less likely to have issues.  However, we have not got any documentation or verbal conversations with anyone of any substance to back up that belief.  One can only believe that common sense has to prevail sometimes!

I guess it's small enough not to attract the attention of the gendarmes.  Still. It only takes one overzealous officer to spoil your day. Wheel? What wheel? This my hatbox....errr..... lunch box..... C'mon, we can't more of a safety hazard than those old codgers on the four wheel scooters. Can't see, can't hear, think they are still driving a car.

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​A title that looks like a question - then only a link to a PDF, seems to be a legal issue I have no idea about, so why would I make a comment. Now I made one :)

​Lol you've got a point there. but i expect at least one EU owner has had a run in with johnny law at least once, wondering what their standpoint had been on them so far. EIther way pretty sure I'm going to stick with the "This is an electric motor assisted cycle officer " and I will probably buy a 480watt sticker jsut for the fun of it 

 

 

Motor assisted cycle .

  Operator is required by law to wear a bicycle helmet.

• May be operated on the road like any bicycle, except where municipal bylaws restrict operation.

• The motor must be electric, rated at 500 watts or less, and be incapable of propelling the cycle at a speed greater than 32 km/h on level ground, without pedaling. NOTE: Gas-powered cycles and electric cycles without attached pedals don’t qualify as an electric motor-assisted cycle. That means they won’t pass a provincial motor vehicle inspection that would enable them to meet registration, licensing and insurance requirements for on-road use..

 

**

Although they may argue as it also says 

Electric Motor Assisted Cycle* A motor assisted cycle is a 2- or 3-wheeled cycle with a seat, pedals and an electric motor  

 

As we all know it has neither a seat nor 2 or 3 wheels

Edited by popcorn
added on **
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In reading the pdf, I don't see a specific ban or allowance for a single wheel EUc.  I think you are still outside the law.  Also, it would be nice to know what Canada considers the road.  Does footpaths count?

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So this is ICBC's response. 

 

The Ninebot falls under general restrictions for vehicles which do not and cannot meet the standards for on road use.  Ninebots would fall under the same category as Segways.  It may only be operated where the Motor Vehicle Act does not apply, such as private property that does not have public vehicle access or on a trail or pathway (if allowed by municipal bylaw).  More information can be found at http://www.icbc.com/vehicle-registration/specialty-vehicles/Low-powered-vehicles/Pages/Segways.aspx.

 

Once again, thank you for taking the time to contact us.

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kaili
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I for one will probably end up trying to create a town bylaw 

http://www.housing.gov.bc.ca/pub/stratapdf/Guide13.pdf  <EDIT:wrong link whoops I'll try to find the one I was on earlier dont know why my copy paste does this sometimes >

Don't know how far I will get I may try to canvas houses to show people what it is and explain it and get signatures before hand that way people don't just see it burning down the road and respond negatively like they do with skateboarders

Edited by popcorn
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It really helps to have some company behind the effort, since they can afford to spend more time (money) than you can and make the case that it's good for everyone. In the US that happened in the early 2000s when Segway lobbied for most states to add exceptions that allowed them to not be registered and to run on sidewalks or bike lanes. If the market is ever going to take off, Ninebot (the new owner of Segway assets) will need to be sure that local jurisdictions treat EUs as "pedestrian devices" rather than back-yard toys. 

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  • 4 years later...

That's my experience so far.  I've been riding for less than 6 months and have done 1200km km so far, mostly on the bike paths.  ICBCs position was recently defeated in court for an electric scooter rider, though that may not help us.

https://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/no-plate-no-insurance-electric-scooter-rider-s-ticket-tossed-because-icbc-offers-no-policy-1.23950695

Also, there is a Victoria local interest forum here:

@Msubasic

and

@Rywokast

also here

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this thread is ancient but yes, i would add i have had 14 EUCs over 2.5 years and close to 25,000 km experience... i have never once been bothered, couple times police wanted to check it out because they thought it was cool, zero comments on its legality.. feedback has been completely positive for me.. just behave yourself and follow the rules of the road.. if you have to ride on the sidewalk where there are people do so at only a jogging pace and no one will care

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