RDNO defends need for e-bike restrictions on Rail Trail

A bylaw that bans certain types of electric bikes on the Okanagan Rail Trail is generating debate.

The Regional District of North Okanagan board adopted a bylaw in July 2021 that only allows class one e-bikes on the RDNO section of trail from Coldstream to Lake Country, banning class two and three e-bikes. Signs noting the new rules just went up this spring, which is when people started to notice.

Class one e-bikes are pedal-assist only. Class two have a maximum speed of 32 kilometres per hour and are throttle-assisted. Class three e-bikes are pedal-assist only, with no throttle, and have a maximum speed of 45 km/h.

Ashley Gregerson, communications officer for RDNO, told Vernon Matters, RDNO opted to use the same industry-standard definitions and classifications for e-bikes as B.C. Parks and Rec Sites and Trails B.C.

“They define class two e-bikes as motor vehicles since they are capable of moving without the user pedalling at all, much like a dirt bike. The RDNO adopted the same definition. It is prohibited to operate a motor vehicle in our sub-regional parks and trails. Class two bikes with deactivated throttle actuators cannot self-propel, so they are permitted,” Gregerson explained.

Gregerson said the decision was made, in part, because there are multiple provincial parks within the RDNO’s boundaries,.

“So by mirroring their definitions, users could expect similar regulations on trails throughout the North Okanagan. Additionally, the RDNO recognized that multiple other B.C. municipalities like Whistler and Tofino had also aligned their e-bike definitions with that of B.C. Parks and Rec Sites and Trails B.C.”

The change has been met with mixed reactions on social media.

“My e-bike has a throttle but I do not use it when on the rail trail. I use it when in traffic on roadways. A speed limit might be a better option,” wrote one person on the Vernon and Area Political Discussion Forum on Facebook

“Can we get our donations back? Since we can’t ride our bikes on this trail anymore, it’s useless to us. I don’t support this,” stated another person.

“Good. Every E-bike rider that I have encountered on rail trail is going way too fast. They should be on the roads if they want to ride like that,” read another comment.

(Photo credit: Friends of Okanagan Rail Trail/Facebook)

Gregerson told Vernon Matters the RDNO strives to create and maintain trails that multiple types of users can access in a safe manner.

“Ideally, everyone would respectfully share our trails; however, we receive reports of all types of hazardous behaviours and implement regulations to try and mitigate recurring safety concerns.”

RDNO’s communications officer added that since multiple types of users are allowed on their trails, including pedestrians, cyclists or people walking their dogs on leash, regulations are needed to maintain harmony on the trail.

“For example, we reduced the allowable length of a dog’s leashes by three meters on our trails because there were multiple instances of long leashes tripping other trail users,” said Gregerson.

Here how the bylaw is defined:

“On all RDNO-owned sub-regional trails in Greater Vernon, an e-bike that provides pedal assist is allowed, and e-bikes that can continue to travel without any pedalling by the user are not allowed. So this means that class one e-bikes and class two e-bikes with deactivated throttle actuators are allowed on RDNO-owned sub-regional trails.”

In terms of enforcement, Gregerson says RDNO bylaws are enforced on a complaint basis.

“Our focus is on education and voluntary compliance, but the bylaw does provide the opportunity for enforcement if a problem occurs.”

The regional district has not issued any tickets for e-bike violations as yet.