@meganL asks:
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@ascentale @meganL @bikenite
[answering a question re: the difference in difficulty in moving a car/truck/van across borders vs a bike]we imported two ebikes and a car in to Canada when we moved from the US as new permanent residents a couple years ago. At least in terms of import (not just crossing for a visit and then returning), the car was *by far* more complicated. The bikes appeared on the list of stuff we were bringing and rode in the truck. That’s it, really.
The car needed a clean title (no outstanding loans), to be cleared of any recalls (by either having none or having the recall situation remedied), a special import number we had to pay some third party logistics company to get, which we needed to send to the border crossing customs office no less than 72 hours ahead of time, and to have special paperwork done on the US side as well as the Canadian. For the US side we parked on the shoulder of the bridge approach and went in an unmarked door of a nondescript building where we waited in a blank hallway with a bunch of truckers for a long time, hoping but unable to strictly confirm we were in the right place. Once in Canada we needed a safety inspection certificate from Canadian Tire, then new Canadian drivers’ licenses so we could get Canadian car insurance in order to get a new title and complete the import process. The safety inspection cost a couple hundred bucks, and required $800 or so in repairs, some that were maintenance that was probably due, and others that were to meet Canadian requirements, like modifying the running lights standard operation.We can use the same kid seats on our bikes as before, but we are legally required to have car seats in the car that carry the Canadian safety seal, which our US purchased seat did not.
We did get new CAN insurance for our bikes, but most people skip it.
The biggest challenge with moving ebikes cross border is getting them there - no commercial carrier is going to take your already-owned ebike battery on a plane or even a boat. Canada-US is driveable and share the same electric outlets; if you could get a US ebike to Europe somehow with its battery, it’d be very iffy on how to bridge the plug to outlet.
@cassey @ascentale @bikenite Yeah, Canada seems very tough that way. I wonder how it compares to other countries?
I wanted to drive my accessible van to Canada and leave it with my friend, but it turned out that would be treated as "importing" it like a dealer and they don't even let you do that if the car is old but not a "classic". #BikeTooter
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@ascentale @meganL @bikenite Ultimately I think the only workable solution is regulating at point of import and point of sale, since there's no obvious way to regulate on the street. Stiff fines and risk of closure/jail for mislabeling or selling to someone unqualified, e.g. with a moto license, and similar for being caught riding one unqualified (by doing something else that's dangerous). Of course, ebikes at appropriate wattage should be regulated akin to regular bikes & batteries.
@edd @ascentale @bikenite I look forward to community discussion among various advocacy groups to come up with bettery categories for regulation (wattage is not the only factor in speed and a heavier rider needs more wattage to do hills, for instance), but I agree that a lot of what people are endangered by aren't actually e-bikes but e-motorcycles.
Amazon stops illegal e-bike sales in California following KCRA 3 Investigates request
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUGDSV7vSS4 #Ebike #Regulation #BikeNite
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@edd @ascentale @bikenite I look forward to community discussion among various advocacy groups to come up with bettery categories for regulation (wattage is not the only factor in speed and a heavier rider needs more wattage to do hills, for instance), but I agree that a lot of what people are endangered by aren't actually e-bikes but e-motorcycles.
Amazon stops illegal e-bike sales in California following KCRA 3 Investigates request
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUGDSV7vSS4 #Ebike #Regulation #BikeNite
@edd @ascentale @bikenite I think there needs to be a lot more community discussion about definitions and best practices for accessible but safe regulations.
Even our terms need updating "motor vehicle" means car, but e-bikes and e-scooters have motors. EV stands for "electric vehicle" but e-bikes are unquestionably electric and vehicles. We need to catch up with the state of tech in our language, classifications, and infrastructure. And organize to fight blanket bans on e-bikes. #BikeNite
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@daihard @ascentale @bikenite Yes, I have heard of this being an issue in the UK as well. Saw an investigative report where they talked to a guy who modded ebikes to be used in drive-by muggings.
I think we have to come up with things that target those who are being unsafe instead of doing blanket stuff that hurts those who are operating things safely. I think it needs to be a community conversation how best to do that. #BikeNite
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@edd @ascentale @bikenite I think there needs to be a lot more community discussion about definitions and best practices for accessible but safe regulations.
Even our terms need updating "motor vehicle" means car, but e-bikes and e-scooters have motors. EV stands for "electric vehicle" but e-bikes are unquestionably electric and vehicles. We need to catch up with the state of tech in our language, classifications, and infrastructure. And organize to fight blanket bans on e-bikes. #BikeNite
@meganL @edd @ascentale @bikenite A7. I agree with Megan about the complexity here. Power based regs will really kneecap cargo bikes as car replacements. You need that power to make utility bikes practical.
I’m not sure there’s a viable way to legislate this situation without net negative tradeoffs. I think we have to solve it socially.
Buying better infrastructure would make a big difference. #BikeNite
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@edd @ascentale @bikenite I think there needs to be a lot more community discussion about definitions and best practices for accessible but safe regulations.
Even our terms need updating "motor vehicle" means car, but e-bikes and e-scooters have motors. EV stands for "electric vehicle" but e-bikes are unquestionably electric and vehicles. We need to catch up with the state of tech in our language, classifications, and infrastructure. And organize to fight blanket bans on e-bikes. #BikeNite
@edd @ascentale @bikenite Speaking of this subject, Californians need to act.
Megan Lynch (she/her) (@meganL@mas.to)
Californians who cycle: the State Assembly is reacting to panic by trying to pass a bill that will punish legal and safe e-bike riders for the excesses of those riding e-motorcycles. SFA has an email-writing campaign to send to your CA State senator and assemblyperson, but only 596 people so far have used it. WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT! Please either use the tool or use the talking points to phone your reps on this matter! Link in the blog: https://bikinginla.com/2026/05/12/driver-asleep-at-the-wheel-in-mass-bike-crash-criticizing-criticism-of-criticizing-reporters-and-quitting-bicycling-because-of-bike-rage/ #BikeTooter #California
mas.to (mas.to)
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