The provincial Motor Vehicle Act defines electric bikes as a motor vehicle UNLESS they are pedal assisted. E-bikes without pedals or that have a throttle are NOT permitted on the Valley Trail or off-road recreational trails.
Pedal assisted means that the electric motor is not engaged unless the user is actually pedalling. The Motor Vehicle Act and ICBC have other requirements for pedal assist e bikes including but not limited to a minimum user age of 16, helmet use, e bike maximum wattage of 500 watts with a maximum speed of 32 km/hr.
Pedalless and or throttle activated motors on bicycles do not require the user to pedal in order to move. These are considered motor vehicles in the provincial Motor Vehicle Act. Motor vehicles are only permitted on roadways in Whistler, and not on the Valley Trail, as per Section 30 of the Whistler Parks Bylaw #1526 2002.
The use of pedalless and/or throttle type e bikes on Whistler’s Valley Trail network and off road recreational trails is not currently supported by the municipality.
The municipality is in the early stages of developing an ebike policy that considers the Valley Trail network, off road recreational trails, pedal assist, pedalless/throttle activated bikes, and existing and emerging provincial legislation. Policy development will include stakeholder and community engagement. Details on this will be forthcoming and communicated via Whistler Today and other municipal communication platforms.
To be clear, motorized wheelchairs are permitted.
Visit ICBC for additional information on current regulations.
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