Idiot e-bike riders
For the past few years, the Ontario government has permitted the riders of e-bikes to operate their vehicles without a driver’s licence, vehicle licence, registration, licence plate, or insurance despite the fact that an e-bike is a self-propelled motorized electric vehicle that is capable of a sustained speed of up to 35 km/h. Since the e-bike can be powered through the power of pedals by the operator, it is free from the laws that govern similar vehicles such as a gasoline powered scooter. E-bikes require no licence plate, no headlamp, taillamp, or turn signal lamps.
As I was driving along in my car (Aveo), an e-bike rider exited the adjacent park, and entered the roadway ahead of me. His being in the park on an e-bike is prohibited. He rode on the right side of the roadway. The roadway was a double lane with two lanes that could turn right onto a one way street. I intended to turn right onto the one way street so I reduced my speed to not overtake him and to avoid me cutting in front of him when I made my right hand turn. I noticed his rear view mirrors and I presumed he was checking them and he was aware of me behind him.
Without any hand signal, he turned right a few meters ahead of me. I turned right to find him suddenly moving into the centre of my lane without any hand signal paying obsoletely no attention to his rear view mirrors, or anything else. I did not honk my horn as I braked to slow down. With the same disregard for other traffic, and again without signalling, he changed lanes again, going into the centre left lane in front of traffic. If they could, my eyes would have lighted him on fire as I glared at this idiot with rage. This is nothing new. E-bikes in parks where they are not allowed, e-bikes on sidewalks where they are prohibited, e-bikes all over the roads riding by their own rules. I am sick of it.
I used to ride a 50cc 2-stroke light motorcycle (60 km/h maximum speed). I had to earn a driver’s licence by passing a written and road test. I had to register and plate my vehicle. I had to have insurance. I had to wear an approved helmet while riding. I had to obey the rules of the road. I am fed up with these e-bike idiots, many who can not even pass a wriiten driver’s licence test, jumping on e-bikes and doing whatever they want because Ontario gives them special privileges because they don’t use gasoline.
E-bikes (and bicycles) must obey the rules of the road when on any public roadway.
(c) Trevor Dailey