Our new bylaw guides e-bike and e-mobility use in Whistler and matches provincial law. The bylaw allows some e-bikes on the Valley Trail, municipal roads, Highway 99, and Forest Service Roads, while keeping them off pedestrian‑only paths and protected nature trails and the Mt Sproatt alpine trail for environmental reasons.
Devices that don’t meet provincial standards — like undefined e‑bikes, e‑motorcycles, motorized skateboards, and electric kick scooters — are not allowed for safety reasons.
You must ride at safe speeds that don’t put others at risk or interfere with their enjoyment. Serious violations will lead to fines. Instead of a hard-to-enforce speed limit on the Valley Trail, everyone is required to travel at responsible and safe speeds.
We will be adding safety and etiquette signage, encouraging fast riders to use roads, exploring joint enforcement with the RCMP, and looking at ways to widen busy trail sections.
Provincial e-bike legislation
The province defines a standard e-bike as having:
- useable pedals (or hand cranks),
- an electric motor not exceeding 500 watts that stops providing power above 32 km/hour,
- an e-bike may or may not have a throttle.
You must wear a helmet and be at least 16 years old to ride a standard e-bike.
The province defines a light e-bike as having:
- useable pedals (or hand cranks),
- an electric motor not exceeding 250 watts that stops providing power above 25 km/hour,
- a light e-bike doesn’t have a throttle.
You must wear a helmet and be at least 14 years old to ride a light e-bike.
Electric adaptive mountain bike
Electric adaptive mountain bikes are electric mountain bikes that are adapted for users with limited mobility, including three-wheel variations. Adaptive mountain bikes are not permitted on hiking-only trails.
Prohibited e-mobility devices in Whistler
You are not allowed to use the following in any public outdoor spaces including the Valley Trail, municipal roads or Highway 99:
- e-bikes that don’t fit the provincial e-bike definition,
- e-skateboards,
- e-scooters,
- all-terrain vehicle (ATV), utility terrain vehicle (UTV) or snowmobile.
E-bike riders must ride safely and respectfully
You must ride your e-bike at a safe speed for the conditions and you must respect other people’s enjoyment of the shared space. You can be fined up to $500 for minor violations and could be fined more for a serious violation that goes to court.
Where can I ride my e-bike or e-mobility device in Whistler?
Standard e-bike or light e-bike
You can ride your standard e-bike or light e-bike on:
- the Valley Trail,
- roads,
- Forest Service Roads,
- most recreational trails allow e-bikes without a throttle.
You are not allowed to ride your standard e-bike or light e-bike on:
- pedestrian-only trails
- nature trails
- recreation trails with signs prohibiting e-bikes such as the Mt Sproatt trails above the Flank Trail and Rainbow Mountain alpine trails and some trails in Emerald Forest Conversation Area (see detailed list of trails below).
E-bikes are not permitted on the following trails
- Mt Sproatt and Rainbow Mountain alpine trails (anything above Flank Trail including Lord of the Squirrels, Into the Mystic, With a Twist, On the Rocks, Happy Hour, Pot of Gold, LESS, upper Chipmunk Rebellion, and Don’t Look Back). This restriction supports environmental considerations, user safety and grizzly bear management in the alpine terrain.
- Emerald Forest Conservation Area, except for the access road connecting Lorimer Road and Alta Lake Road.
- Any and all designated hiking-only trails including the Lost Lake Nature Trail, Rainbow Lake and the Skywalk network.
Areas that are not accessible by e-bike are marked with signage. If there is no signage, e-bikes without a throttle are generally permitted on recreation trails. Be courteous around other trail users, abide by directional trail signs, and always ensure you have more than enough battery for the complete round-trip.