CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION REQUEST

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Thomas Osborne
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1 ^ ("^InOmnifemfyspia Jintm"] ^ CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION REQUEST NUMBER: IR REQUESTED BY: Councillor Tim Osborne ORIGIN OF REQUEST: City Council DATE OF REQUEST: July 10, 2017 AUTHOR: Aaron Giesbrecht DEPARTMENT: Policing Services DATE RESPONSE DUE: August 10, 2017 DIRECTOR APPROVAL (if not author): GENERAL MANAGER APPROVAL: DB- July 24, 2017 CFO APPROVAL (if necessary): CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: QUESTION: What type of motorized vehicles are allowed to operate on sidewalks? RESPONSE: As a general rule, all Vehicles, including "motorized vehicles" are prohibited from operating on sidewalks in Alberta as per section 13 of the Alberta Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulation 304/2002. Having said this, Administration would like to point out that the operation of motor vehicles on sidewalks could occur legally if they are exempt in legislation (Peace Officers as an example) or through permits issued by the road authority (special events or construction activity are examples of this). In addition, because St. Albert has permitted "bicycles" to operate on sidewalks through the Traffic Bylaw, power bicycles are also permitted on sidewalks as they also fall under the definition of a "bicycle". Power Bicycles can come in a variety of shapes and styles and some can often appear to look like a more traditional moped 1 City Council Information Request Form Cultivate l ife

2 or motorcycle, which has lead to some public concerns being received about these types of vehicles being operated on the trail system. Below is a side by side comparison of one power bicycle style and a moped, along with some of the key operating requirements. Power Bicycle *permitted on sidewalks in St Albert Moped *prohibited on sidewalks Electric motor with a max power of 500 watts Top speed can not exceed 32 km/h No weight restriction No drivers licence required Min age of operator is 12 yrs Motorcycle helmet required No insurance or registration required Must be equipped with pedals that are attached and capable of propelling the bicycle with human power - Electric motor or engine max of 50cc - Top speed can not exceed 70 km/h - Min seat height of 650 mm - Class 7 (learners) driver's licence required - Min age of operator is 14 yrs - Insurance and Registration required - Motorcycle helmet required Council does have the authority to prohibit Power Bicycles from being operating on sidewalks but an amendment to the current Traffic Bylaw would be required to do so. Administration has attached two documents that have been published by Alberta Transportation that provide some more background and detail on the laws regarding small vehicles in Alberta. CONFIDENTIAL: No 2 City Council Information Request Form Cultivate Life

Attachment 1 Rules and regulations applying to power bicycles, mopeds, off-highway vehicles, motorcycles, mobility aids and prohibited miniature vehicles Operating a small vehicle is a high-risk

3 Attachment 1 Rules and regulations applying to power bicycles, mopeds, off-highway vehicles, motorcycles, mobility aids and prohibited miniature vehicles Operating a small vehicle is a high-risk activity. These vehicles are lighter, less stable, and more vulnerable in a crash than other vehicles on the road. New riders are at the greatest risk of having a collision because they are unfamiliar with the controls and handling characteristics of small vehicles, This fact sheet highlights the rules and regulations applying to small vehicles - power bicycles, mopeds, off-highway vehicles, motorcycles, mobility aids and prohibited miniature vehicles. In Alberta, the rules of the road are contained in the Traffic Safety Act (TSA) and regulations under the Act such as the Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulation (UHRRR). Licensing requirements are contained in the Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation. Driver handbooks and additional information on road safety and low risk driving can be found online at: or at any Alberta Registry Agent office. SMALL VEHICLE DEFINITIONS Mobility Aid: a device used to facilitate the transport, in a normal seated orientation, of a person with a physical disability. *Moped: includes a vehicle with an electric motor or one that is propelled by an engine that has a displacement of not more than 50 cc. It has a top speed of 70 km/h and no weight restrictions. Motorcycle: a motor vehicle, other than a moped, that is mounted on two or three wheels and includes those motor vehicles known in the automotive trade as motorcycles and scooters. Off-Highway Vehicle: any motorized mode of transportation built for cross-country travel on land, water, snow, ice, marsh or swamp lands, or on other natural terrain. 'Power Bicycle: has an electric motor with a maximum power of 500 watts, a top speed of 32 km/h, and no weight restriction or allowance to be engine-driven. I Prohibited Miniature Vehicles: motor vehicles as defined in the Traffic Safety Act, but are considered "miniature vehicles", which are not permitted on a highway in Alberta, including sidewalks along the roadway. They may only be operated on private property. The definitions of a moped and a power bicycle are being updated within the UHRRR to be consistent with federal regulations that define them as a limited speed motorcycle and a power-assisted bicycle (however, they will still be called mopeds and power bicycles in Alberta). The updated regulation wil come into effect on July 1, All information in this fact sheet on power bicycles and mopeds refers to the new, post-july 1 definitions. REFERENCE GUIDE FOR SMALL VEHICLES Small Vehicle Driver's Licence Required Minimum Driving Age Registration Required Insurance Required Helmet Required Power Bicycles No 12 No No Yes Mopeds Minimum Class 7 14 Yes Yes Yes Motorcycles Class 6 16 Yes Yes Yes Mobility Aids No N/A No No No Off-Highway Vehicles Yes/No (Off-Highway) 14 Yes Yes No Prohibited Miniature IT IS PROHIBITED TO OPERATE THESE VEHICLES ON ROADWAYS OR SIDEWALKS Vehicles June 2009 Government of Albertqlj

4 OPERATING SMALL VEHICLES Power Bicycles & Mopeds: You must ride on the far right side of a road, unless making a left-hand turn. When riding on a one-way street in an urban area, you may operate as near as possible to either curb or edge of the road. If you are under the age of 16, you are prohibited from carrying any passengers on a power bicycle or moped. A power bicycle or moped must be equipped with the following gear: headlamp, tail lamp, brake lamp, reflectors, brakes, horn, muffler, and mirror. Please also see Owning and Operating a Power Bicycle or Moped in Alberta. Mobility Aids: A mobility aid user is, by definition, considered a pedestrian. All rules that apply to pedestrians also apply To individuals operating a mobility aid. It is recommended that a mobility aid be operated - on sidewalks or pathways, not a roadway. Prohibited Miniature Vehicles: These vehicles are motor vehicles as defined in the Traffic Safety Act, however they also meet the definition of "miniature vehicles" which are not permitted on a highway in Alberta, including sidewalks alongside the roadway. Miniature vehicles may only be operated on private property. The only exception to this prohibition is a special permit granting authority to operate on a highway. (1 In law, these vehicles meet the definition of a motor vehicle, but they do not fit the definitions of mobility aid, motorcycle, or pedestrian. While many of these motorized vehicles will be used in a pedestrian-like manner, the operators of these vehicles do not meet the legal definition of "pedestrian". Prohibited miniature vehicles include: personal transporter, pocket bikes, go carts, electric scooters and golf carts. Motorcycles: You may only carry as many passengers as the motorcycle is designed for. Passengers must ride on the seat designed for passengers and use foot rests. A motorcycle is not permitted to ride beside another cycle in the same lane, except when passing. Motorcycles can't be operated adjacent to another cycle travelling in the same direction. Motorcycles must meet the requirements of the Vehicle Equipment Regulation. Off-Highway Vehicles: Off-highway vehicles include: 4-wheel drive vehicles, low pressure tire vehicles, motorcycles and related 2-wheel vehicles, amphibious vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, miniature motor vehicles, snow vehicles, minibikes, and any other means of transportation that is propelled by any power other than muscular power or wind (but does not include rnotorboats). An off-highway vehicle may not be operated on a highway, a road or in a ditch unless permission has been expressly granted. Off-highway vehicles must be equipped with a headlamp, tail lamp, and muffler. Helmets: Motorcycle helmets are required by riders of power bicycles, mopeds, and motorcycles. The rider and passenger must wear an approved motorcycle safety helmet. Helmets must have the mark or label stating it meets one of the following standards: CSA, DOT, BSI or the Snell Memorial Foundation M2000. No person shall buy, sell or offer for sale a safety helmet intended for the use of operators or passengers of cycles unless it complies with one of the standards. Resources for Safely Operating Small Vehicles Traffic Safety Act: Basic Licence Driver's Handbook: Operator's Licence Information for Motorcycles, Mopeds, and Power Bicycles: Traffic Safety in Alberta web site:

Attachment 2 Owning and Operating a Power Bicycle or Moped in Alberta On July 1, 2009, new definitions for power bicycles and mopeds will come into effect in Alberta.

5 Attachment 2 Owning and Operating a Power Bicycle or Moped in Alberta On July 1, 2009, new definitions for power bicycles and mopeds will come into effect in Alberta. The definitions are being updated within the Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulation to be consistent with federal regulations that define them as a power-assisted bicycle and a limited speed motorcycle. However, the terms "power bicycle" and "moped" will s be used in Alberta. The changes are being made because Alberta's definitions are more restrictive than the federal definitions and don't allow for the types of vehicles which are being sold in the province. Harmonizing the federal and provincial definitions for these vehicles will eliminate uncertainty in consumer transactions and add clarity to operator and vehicle licensing requirements. POWER BICYCLES EB3SBEH8EEI Electric motor with a maximum power of 500 watts Top speed of 32 km/h No weight restriction Includes power assisted bicycles Prior to July 1,2009 One or more electric motors with a maximum electric power of 750 watts or engine displacement of no more than 50 cubic centimetres Top speed of 35 km/h Has to weigh less than 35 kg MOPEDS New as of July 1,2009 Electric motor or propelled by an engine that has a displacement of not more than 50 cubic centimetres Top speed of 70 km/h No weight restrictions Minimum seat height of 650 mm Includes limited speed motorcycles Prior to July 1,2009 Top speed of 50 km/h Weighs between 35 kg and 55 kg Operating Requirements No driver's licence required Minimum driving age is 12 No insurance or registration required Motorcycle helmet required Operating Requirements Minimum Ciass 7 driver's licence required Minimum driving age is 14 Insurance and registration required Motorcycle helmet required For more information on operating a moped or power bicycle in Alberta, please visit the following web site: St I IT'J June 2009 Government of Alberta H

Power Bicycles, Mopeds, Motorcycles, Mobility Aids, Off-Highway Vehicles and Prohibited Miniature Vehicles

Power Bicycles, Mopeds, Motorcycles, Mobility Aids, Off-Highway Vehicles and Prohibited Miniature Vehicles Rules and Regulations applying to small vehicles February 2007 contents Page Introduction...