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Electric Bicycles: An Insurance Risk For Pedestrians and Riders

With the warmer weather arriving, more and more electric bicycles or “e-bikes” will be out on the roads. Unlike cars and motorcycles, e-bikes do not require a driver’s licence. Nor do they require any insurance or registration. Anyone over the age of 16 can purchase and operate one of these e-bikes on Ontario’s roads and highways.

While e-bikes are a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method of transportation, they’re also a significant risk to pedestrians. If you’re involved in a collision with an e-bike, there will be no accident benefits made available to you for treatment and rehabilitation. Due to the lack of insurance, you may also have a difficult time recouping your lost wages and expenses as a result of any injuries you might suffer. As the warmer weather approaches, it’s important to keep your eyes open and be aware of the risks associated with these e-bikes, both as a pedestrian and as a rider.