E-Bike Education
HUB Cycling’s mission is to get more people cycling more often. Electric-assist bikes further this mission by allowing people with physical limits, longer commutes, heavier loads, carrying children, and those facing hilly terrain to cycle more often!
Electric assist bikes (e-bikes) are bicycles with electric motors and batteries to help you power your bike through the pedals or a throttle. Most have a controller that lets you choose the amount of power the system provides. The key difference between an e-bike and an electric scooter or motorcycle is that an e-bike has pedals or hand cranks that can operate when the motor is running or providing assistance.
Watch the video (2 min) to the right, in partnership with our friends at BCAA, to learn more. >>
Provincial E-Bike Rebate Program
WIN: On May 25th, the B.C. Government announced a new rebate for purchasing an e-bike! Starting June 1, 2023, BC residents were eligible to apply for a rebate when they buy a new electric bike. By basing the rebate amount on income, this program allowed financially challenged families can now buy e-bikes as a clean transportation choice. The rebate program is fully subscribed and there is a waiting list. Learn more here.
- WEBINAR: What to look for when buying an e-bike. Looking to purchase an e-bike but not sure where to start? Watch this webinar where Alistair Barrett from Obsession E-bikes explains what to look for.
Cycling courses help you ride more confidently.
We have a range of cycling courses and e-bike education in Metro Vancouver and across British Columbia to help you build the skills, confidence, and knowledge to purchase and ride an electric assist bicycle (e-bike). Find a course below that best works for you, depending on your location.
Metro Vancouver / Lower Mainland
Sign up for free or low-cost sliding scale in-person cycling courses at HUB's StreetWise Cycling Education Centres at Trout Lake Community Centre in East Vancouver or Steveston Community Centre in South Richmond. Find out more. We also have partnered with several E-Mobility share providers to provide Drop-In E-Mobility Workshops. Find out dates and locations here.
For information on adaptive cycling programs at our StreetWise Cycling Education Centres, please visit Spinal Cord Injury BC’s Adaptive Cycling webpage.
Victoria / Capital Region
Sign up for free in-person e-bike courses and try-out events hosted by Capital Bike. Find out more.
Rest of British Columbia
In-person e-bike courses are being provided by the following organizations during summer 2023:
- Haida Gwaii Regional Recreation Commission Society
- Kootenay Moutain Biking
- Comox Valley Cycling Coalition
- Cycle Alberni (facebook page)
- Friends of the Fernie Heritage Library
Check their website or contact them to find out when the next course is happening in your community.
Learn Online
Take our interactive online course to learn the basics of cycling safety, rights and responsibilities as a person biking, route planning, gear, and how to choose an e-bike. Sign up for free and start learning now with StreetWise Cycling Online.
E-Bike Resources
Webinars and Other Resources
- WEBINAR: What to look for when buying an e-bike. Looking to purchase an e-bike but not sure where to start? Watch this webinar where Alistair Barrett from Obsession E-bikes explains what to look for.
- Download our e-biking education handout, created in partnership with Evole E-Bike Share and BCAA.
- Check out our E-Mobility Drop-In Workshops in Coquitlam, Richmond, and Whistler. Click here for more dates and information.
- Sign up for one of our free Intro to E-Biking webinars. Complete information, dates, and registration can be found here. If you can’t make our live webinars, you can watch a pre-recorded Intro to E-biking webinar here.
Find out more information about:
- E-bike regulations from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
- E-bikes are allowed on transit in Metro Vancouver (TransLink) and on B.C. Transit buses.
- Electric bikes in BC Parks regulations
- E-cargo bikes on HUB’s resources page
- Business owners in B.C. can get up to $1,700 when they buy a cargo e-bike. The rebate covers one-third of the cost of a cargo e-bike. Details here.
Benefits of E-Bikes
- E-bikes are fun and allow you to exercise, and can reduce your carbon footprint (if switching from a motor vehicle).
- E-bikes can save time (both compared to driving and conventional cycling).
- E-bikes give those who ride them increased accessibility and possibilities. They make things easier for riders who have physical limitations or barriers to be able to keep up with the flow of traffic.
- E-bikes also allow increased baggage on the bike without any more strain on the person riding - from children to shopping bags!
- E-bikes do not require insurance, and ongoing maintenance is much less than with a car or other motor vehicle. They also typically cost less to purchase than a car.
- Parking and charging an e-bike is usually straightforward and free, although care should be taken to lock it securely.
- BC residents 19 years and over are eligible for income-based rebates on the purchase of a new e-bike. Learn more at https://bcebikerebates.ca/
Things to Consider When Purchasing an E-Bike
- You must be 16 years of age or older in order to legally ride an e-bike in B.C.
- E-bikes require an expensive initial investment compared to non-e-assist bikes. Low-end prices are more than $1,500 - $2,000. Additionally, e-bike parts are more expensive than conventional bike parts to replace, although significantly less expensive than vehicle parts and maintenance.
- E-bike batteries will weaken over time with use. Check out some tips on how to prolong the life of your battery here!
- E-bikes need to be recharged with some regularity, so this means some pre-planning to ensure that you aren’t stranded with a bike that is out of power. Check out this website to find out how long e-bikes can last on a single charge! If you have your charging cable, most e-bike batteries can be recharged with any regular plug (at your home, office, cafe, etc.).
- E-bikes weigh more than conventional bikes. Consider this when thinking about storage and if you will need to carry your bike upstairs or hang it vertically while parked.
E-Bike Etiquette
Since e-bikes move faster than people walking or pedalling bicycles, it is essential to be predictable and courteous to people on shared pathways and roads. Check out this 1-minute cycling etiquette video below put together by HUB Cycling and BCAA to learn more:
What's Next?
So, you're interested in getting into e-biking - what's next?
- Join the waitlist for an e-bike rebate to subsidize the cost of a new e-bike
- Learn more by taking an in-person or online course (see details above)
- Visit your local bike shop to see what e-bikes are available for purchase (map of Metro Vancouver's bike shops).
- Check out HUB Cycling's other educational web pages on route planning, cycling with children, basic bike maintenance, and cycling in the fall and winter. We also have a HUB resource page with lots of helpful information about cycling in Metro Vancouver.
Thank you to our generous sponsors for supporting e-bike education!
