Rize RX legality

[ThompsonRH]

I don't see many discussions on the legality of the RX with its 1000 watt motor. I'm not lying awake at night worried about this, I doubt the police care too much as long as you're respecting the rules of the road. However, I did inquire with the SAAQ (Quebecs transport authority) with the question about what category an eBike with a 1000 watt motor fitted into in Quebec. Their response, as you might imagine was very unhelpful, they just stated that to use an eBike on the roads and bike paths. it must have a motor no larger that 500 watts and be limited to 32 km/h. So my questions are;
1. has anyone been stopped on the roads or bike paths by the police in Canada and what did they say?
2. can the RX speed limit be set manually? Can you limit the speed to say 32 Kph? (I guess you could show your making an effort)
3. Even in the USA, there are similar laws for road use, although I think in most States its 750w (but nowhere is it 1000watts)
4. Is anyone aware of lobby efforts in Canada to up the classifications to encompass 1000 watts?
I doubt anyone is having nightmares over this but curious about peoples thoughts

 

[Old Don]

Hi Mr. Thompson. we just had very similar laws implemented here in PEI this spring. The 500 W limit seems to be for bike paths and trails similar to the Confederation Trail. Have not heard of any one being charged as yet.
The 500W is not realistic for the people who are using e-bikes ( seniors and others who are just trying to get into shape). Certainly 750 W is way more realistic, and yes the 750 W number is way more common in the US.
I think that you should be able to limit your speed assist to cut off at 32kn/h on you display.

 

[ElevenAD]

Yes you can limit the speed on the display under settings. I live in Jersey and i have never been stopped on my RX or my Juggernaut and they are both 1000w bikes.

 

[ThompsonRH]

Thanks guys. In the manual (P11) it states under Settings Mode item 9, speed limit (not applicable). Not sure what they mean? But ElevenAD your saying you can limit speed? (Just to impress the cop when I get caught)
Still haven't got my bike, I fully paid a month ago. After bugging them, the shipping label was printed more than a week ago along with a couple of accessories. The accessories arrived yesterday but no bike. Finally today I got a message from FedEx so its now at the FedEx facility in Vancouver, they say delivery Saturday, I'll believe it when it arrives. I think The Vancouver Rize guys are just overwhelmed. The guy, Kevin told me they'd received a shipment of 1000 bikes and I got the impression theres only a few people handling it all.

 

[Old Don]

Thanks guys. In the manual (P11) it states under Settings Mode item 9, speed limit (not applicable). Not sure what they mean? But ElevenAD your saying you can limit speed? (Just to impress the cop when I get caught)
Still haven't got my bike, I fully paid a month ago. After bugging them, the shipping label was printed more than a week ago along with a couple of accessories. The accessories arrived yesterday but no bike. Finally today I got a message from FedEx so its now at the FedEx facility in Vancouver, they say delivery Saturday, I'll believe it when it arrives. I think The Vancouver Rize guys are just overwhelmed. The guy, Kevin told me they'd received a shipment of 1000 bikes and I got the impression theres only a few people handling it all.

You might like to check out our site-
"friends of Confederation Trail" on Facebook and you will see a problem like you described. The posters obviously don't know much about e-bikes but quite likely the authorities will be keeping an "eye out" for e-bikes in this area of the trail. Might not of been an e-bike at all in this case.