Are e-bikes safe? What Squamish riders and officials are saying

Walk around downtown, or anywhere in Squamish, and you are sure to see someone on an electric bike.

Their presence has become part of daily life in Squamish.

E-bikes allow people to get around town sustainably, ideally get some drivers off the road—and can be a whole lot of fun.

Their increasing popularity isn’t just a Squamish thing.

In 2020, e-bike sales increased by 134% compared to the previous year. By 2025, Canada's annual e-bike sales are expected to have doubled, exceeding 600,000 sold, according to Strategic Market Research.

With all of their advantages, though, e-bikes have also brought with them concerns about safety.

Doctors’ perspective

Dr. Brandon Yau, a Vancouver Coastal Health medical health officer lead on injury prevention, stressed that active transportation, like e-bikes, is encouraged. 

“There are really good reasons why people are choosing to use these devices and other forms of active travel,” he said. “They're convenient, they're affordable, they're good for your physical and mental health, and they're eco-friendly, and people like them because they're fun as well, and we can't discount the fact that that's a good way of getting around. So we do encourage people in general to use active transportation.”

That said, Yau noted that e-bike riders are also vulnerable road users.

While accurate data is hard to come by for such new technology, anecdotally, he said, with increased use of these bikes, there has been an increase in injuries. 

“Head injuries, hip, knee and leg injuries as well,” he said, adding that fractures are the most common reason riders are hospitalized. 

Yau said the speed of the bikes and the newness of them mean folks should be cautious.

“The top speed for these e-bikes is 32 kilometres per hour, and we do recommend people stay within that limit, as well as maybe consider going slower based on their individual skill level,” he said. 

“If people are new to these devices, it's the principle of start slow, go slow. So if you're relatively new to something, we recommend practicing on a slow street.”

He also touted helmet use and following the rules of the road.

A study in 2024 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Injuries With Electric vs Conventional Scooters and Bicycles, found a disturbing lack of helmet wearing.

“In a cross-sectional study including 86,623 individuals, electric bicycle injuries increased by nearly 100% and electric scooter injuries increased by more than 45% annually,” the report findings read. “Injured electric vehicle users were older and less commonly helmeted than those injured from conventional vehicles.”

Yau said Vancouver Coastal Health works with municipalities and other levels of government to try and shape policies and changes that will keep people safe on e-bikes. 

“Separation in physical time and space to motor vehicles,” he said, as an example of infrastructure changes that can help keep riders and other users safe. 

“So, we work closely with municipalities to design and build active transportation lanes that separate people from motor vehicles. That's the most evidence-based and probably the best intervention for reducing injuries.” 

Yau also noted that while e-bikes come onto the market meeting the regulatory framework that the government sets in terms of speed and power, they can be easily modified. 

“I think many parents may be unaware that they may be buying these devices with speed limiters that may be designed in some way that's easily removed, and people can go on YouTube, and it's relatively easy to do. So that's maybe one of the reasons why we're seeing quite fast devices on our roads. … We're not being able to catch up to industry innovation, or whatever you want to call it, fast enough. So that's something that we want to pay attention to, because, again, I've seen some of these devices go incredibly fast.”

He also stressed that e-bikes are not meant for youth under 16. 

“Available research and evidence show us that people who are younger, young kids, are at much higher risk of being injured on these types of devices.”

Finally, Yau had a reminder for drivers to be very vigilant and aware of the different uses on the road and give vulnerable road users as wide a berth as possible.

For drivers, the minimum passing distances are: 

• Highways 50 km/h or less: 1 m
• Highways more than 50 km/h: 1.5 m

“The rules say to give as much space as possible and only to pass when it is safe to do so,” Yau said. 

“So it's really important again, for all road users to take special precautions, but people who are driving cars pose a greater risk to people on the road than other road users, so just being aware of that.”

Dr. Shelina Babul, director at the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit of BC Children's Hospital, added that riders need to pay attention, like vehicle drivers. 

“I've seen people using their cellphones while riding e-bikes. Don't use your cellphone. Obviously, never use alcohol or drugs prior to riding your e-bikes,” she said. 

She added that new riders should get to know their bike. 

“Make sure it's charged, make sure the tires are inflated, that it's working properly—[it's] very important. Make sure the brakes are working and that there's no visible damage to the e-bike,” she said.

“If you're riding at night, make sure you have lights and reflectors. Use hand signals. Ride single file.”

In terms of youth, she said there are a lot of benefits to riding, but the rules and regulations have to catch up. 

“I think it's something that we have to closely monitor and put policies in place, especially on school grounds and on school properties—what should be allowed, what shouldn't be allowed,” she said. 

“But this is relatively new. I remember growing up when skateboards first started coming out, and that was an issue—injuries from skateboards. Certainly, that wasn't at the speeds of e-bikes or e-scooters. Then schools started putting policy in place that you can't ride it on the grounds, you can hold it and walk—those kinds of things.”

Riders’ perspective

Squamish’s Pennie McNutt loves her e-bike and rides it a lot. She has also ridden e-bikes around Europe. 

Squamish, she says, is not e-bike friendly.

“I have done many trips on e-bikes in many different cities and in Europe, and they have it down pat. What I would suggest is that somebody on council visit some of those communities to get some ideas [of] what you could do to make it more friendly for bikes,” she said.

She pointed out what she sees as a lack of policing of e-bike offenders, a lack of signage and a lack of speed zones for riders. 

She said there aren’t dedicated bike trails for e-bikes, they are all multi-use, which puts too many people together, causing potential conflicts. 

She also called out trails that “don’t go anywhere.” 

“All of them end on the roadway, and to continue, you have to ride on the road to the next one.”

In particular, she called out the tight lane underpass along the Mamquam Blind Channel to get to Rose Park, the state of Government Road north of Leski's Crossing to the airport on both sides of the road, and the area around Eagle Run.

“My suggestion [or] dream is to take out one lane of traffic—or one lane of parking since we will be ‘car free’—on all downtown streets. Make traffic one-way. Make a dedicated bike lane in the new lane. Have it well marked, with dedicated street lights for pedestrians and bikes,” she said. 

Local Greg Pillon notes the insurance issue with e-bikes.

“If you're in violation of the Motor Vehicle Act, either because you're underage, or you're riding on a sidewalk or something like that, and let's say you plow into some poor elderly person who's just out there walking their dog. Not only would you have criminal exposure, criminal liability, but you'd have civil liability as well. So that little e-bike you gave your kid for graduating could end up costing you your house, you know? So it's kind of a non-trivial issue.”

Pillon compared what motorcycle riders have to do to be road safe, and compared it with some e-bikes that have a similar amount of power.

“I've been a motorcyclist for a long time. In order to get a motorcycle licence, you have to go through a special training program and then a series of graduated licences.

“Just to make sure that you know what the heck you're doing,” he said.

“I've seen these things go by 50 km/hr, no problem.”

He extended the comparison to gear as well. 

“The other thing is protective equipment. Of course, with a motorcycle, you're obliged to wear, certainly, at least a helmet, and I always wore full-on, full-body armour. … And some of these folks, of course, just think they're toys. So they don't suit up, and there are minimal helmets.”

He also noted that e-bikes can be quite heavy, especially compared with a bicycle. 

“They weigh 75 pounds—maybe 50 to 75 pounds,” he said.

“You put a 60-pound child on it, or even a 110-pound human being, and the combined mass travelling at 30 kilometres per hour is going to kill somebody very easily. You know, it's not a simple little, ‘Oh, I bumped into you and fell down.’ No, it's somebody's going to the hospital.”

He noted the e-bikes are regulated under the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act, but said it isn’t enforced as much as he thinks would help.

“The laws are already there. We really just need to stop thinking of bicycles as toys and enforce the law.”

Like everyone who The Squamish Chief spoke to for this article, Pillon is not opposed to e-bikes; in fact, he supports them, but it is the attitude toward them and the level of enforcement that has to change, he said.

“On the one hand, people need to be more aware of the seriousness of the implications of operating these vehicles—that they're not toys. They are vehicles under the Motor Vehicle Act, and there's a considerable liability involved in operating these things,” he said.

"On the society side, I think we're going to want more enforcement. It is new technology, it's very powerful, very cost-effective, but we just need to think a little bit more seriously about how we manage this stuff.”

Firsthand account highlights safety concerns

E-bikes aren’t just a Squamish issue, of course. 

Whistler resident Richard Kinar, a safety advocate, saw a young woman on an e-bike slam into a signpost in the resort the night before he spoke with The Squamish Chief.

“As it was getting dusk, this young girl on an electric bike came around the corner, hit a signpost, and ... I can't unhear it, and I can't unsee it,” he said. 

“Her cellphone went flying, and her shoes. Her face was a mess, and her body was a mess.”

Kinar, again, supports e-bikes, but says it comes down to regulation. 

“It's all about regulation, because the original concept of pedal-assisted bikes is very different than what we're seeing now. So the speed of the bikes even exceeds Transport Canada guidelines. On the high end of things, you've got bikes that are going here between 60 and 90 kilometres per hour,” he said. 

“I think electric bikes are absolutely fantastic. All I'm suggesting is that as these bikes get more powerful, as there's more of them and as they're integrated into a coordinated transportation network or transportation strategy, we should have a few more things in place.”

“They're no longer a pedal-assisted bicycle. They're actually a motor vehicle. … So it's the conversation around policy that needs to be addressed.” 

MLA’s take

Member of the Legislative Assembly for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, Jeremy Valeriote, who also rides an e-bike, said he is digging into what can be done to reduce the conflict around them.

“I have a RadWagon that I used to put my two kids on the back of, but now they're too heavy,” he said. 

“I think they're a great tool, and they've exploded quite quickly. And I guess this problem was foreseeable. I've been on the on trails in Squamish and on the Valley Trail in Whistler, where people are flying by at high speeds, and they're heavy. … At least my cargo bike has a lot of mass to it, and I do keep thinking it's just a matter of time until somebody gets seriously hurt.”

He noted that the bikes are easy to modify to go faster, which is likely something that needs to be addressed.

“I think it would be fairly straightforward for the province and or the federal government to just make that impossible,” he said, adding other issues around them are more multifaceted, with the municipality, the province and the federal government likely having roles to play in helping solve. 

“I'm just starting to get to work on what the best way forward is on this,” he said. 

Municipality’s perspective

The District of Squamish joined the BC Electric Kick Scooter Pilot project in June 2025, making it legal for people 16 years old and up to ride e-scooters on roads/bike lanes and multi-use paths. The District is not planning to restrict the use of e-bikes or e-scooters on multi-use paths at this time; however, minor updates to the traffic bylaw are planned in the future to ensure alignment with the Motor Vehicle Act, a District spokesperson told The Squamish Chief.

Currently, the only e-mobility devices that are allowed on multi-use paths are e-bikes and e-scooters that meet the provincial definitions, with maximum speeds less than 32 km/h for e-bikes and 25 km/h for e-scooters.

The District is launching a summer education campaign, including what is and is not allowed, to promote e-mobility safety, the spokesperson said.

“As the District’s active transportation increases, we hope all road and path users can share the space respectfully, responsibly, and safely. However, if the public is concerned for their safety in any way, we encourage them to call the Squamish RCMP on 604-892-6100 or 911 for emergency situations.”

What the RCMP say

Squamish RCMP confirmed there has been an increase in collisions involving e-bikes, and people are getting injured.

“The youth are mostly the ones involved in these,” said Const. Kelly Wu, media relations officer for the Sea to Sky RCMP-Squamish detachment.

Wu added that while last year officers were doing more education and issuing warnings, they are now at the point where enforcement is being imposed.

“People are ticketed for not wearing helmets, underage for riding the e-bikes, too many passengers on e-bikes and not following the rules of the road that all vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians must abide by,” she said. 

“E-bikes are an excellent mode of transportation and promote active lifestyles, but with growing popularity comes a shared responsibility. Safe riding habits and awareness of road rules are essential to protect all road users and ensure e-bikes remain a sustainable solution for our community.”

‘Promoting safe and responsible riding’

For its part, the Sea to Sky School District said that it recognizes that e-bikes are becoming a popular mode of transportation for students.

“We support active, sustainable travel and are committed to promoting safe and responsible riding,” said school district communications officer, Jenn Armstrong.

“Throughout the school year, we share reminders and educational resources with students and families about helmet use—which is mandatory—age restrictions, road safety rules, and respectful riding. We also remind students to park their bikes in designated areas and to be mindful of safety on and around school grounds,” she added.

“We continue to collaborate with community partners, including the local RCMP, to reinforce these messages. While the school district is not responsible for enforcing traffic laws or regulating personal transportation outside of school property, we are committed to doing our part through education and communication.”

The school district encourages families to review the following resources to learn more about e-bike safety: 

·     DriveSmartBC - E-Bike Regulations 

·     Government of B.C. - Cycling & E-Bike Rules 

·     B.C. Motor Assisted Cycle Regulation 

Guidelines and tips

The Sea to Sky RCMP offered the following guidelines and tips in a news release on the issue:

In B.C., e-bikes are defined legally as motor-assisted cycles and ICBC does not register, license or insure these bikes. 

“E-bikes must not go faster than 32 km/h and be no more than 500W. Some motor-assisted cycles look like mopeds and scooters—limited-speed motorcycles—but the rules for operating motor-assisted cycles and limited-speed motorcycles are not the same,” the RCMP release states. 

“E-bikes are also not e-motorcycles, which require registration, licensing and insurance.”

“Electric dirtbikes that exceed 500 watts, such as Surron bikes, are not highway legal as they are not authorized by legislation and surpass the classes of e-bikes listed below. Electric one-wheeled devices, such as electric unicycles, are illegal for highway use according to current legislation because they do not have fully operable pedals (or hand cranks) capable of propelling the cycle.”

Classes of E-Bikes in B.C.

When riding your e-bike, follow all the rules that apply to cyclists:

• Obey traffic signs and lights: yield to pedestrians.
• Wear a safety helmet: always wear an approved safety helmet when riding an e-bike.
• Follow the speed limit. 
• Ride single file: do not ride beside another person operating a cycle or e-bike except to pass.
• Do not ride while impaired or distracted: never operate an e-bike while impaired by alcohol or drugs, or when using a cellphone or other electronic device.
• Follow passenger rules: you cannot carry a passenger unless your cycle is designed and equipped for it. A rider under 16 cannot carry any passengers on an e-bike.
• Use hand signals: safely signal intent to turn, slow down, or stop by using standard hand signals.
• Use lights and reflectors at night: a white light mounted in the front, a red reflector, and a red light mounted in the rear are required when riding between sunset and sunrise.