E-bikes will not be permitted for use as taxicabs in the Town of Hawkesbury, because it is prohibited by provincial law.

On February 12, resident Sylvin Laramée addressed Hawkesbury council and explained that twice in 2023, his applications to provide an e-bike taxi service were denied by the By-law Enforcement Department. Laramée explained e-bike taxi services already exist in France and would be an innovative addition to business in Hawkesbury. On February 12, council asked the administration to make further inquiries about the legality of e-bike taxicabs.

At the Monday, April 8 council meeting, a report was presented indicating staff consulted with Staff Sergeant Jocelyn Lessard of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) who told the administration that an e-bike could not be used as a taxicab. The reason is because under Regulation 369/09 of Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, an e-bike is defined as a power-assisted bicycle, and not a motor vehicle. The Public Vehicles Act states that a driver of a vehicle is eligible to receive compensation only if they are providing taxicab services with a motor vehicle that meets the definition under the Highway Traffic Act.

The definition of a taxicab in the Public Vehicles Act states that it must be a motor vehicle defined under the Highway Traffic Act which has a seating capacity.

“We consider that the seating space on e-bikes is not safe,” states the staff report.

Municipal staff also verified with the taxi commission in Kingston and found out that no e-bike taxi service operates anywhere in Ontario due to concerns about public health and safety, a lack of availability of insurance for commercial purposes, possible legal problems for municipalities, and weather-related problems.

Clerk Sonia Girard also reported that the town’s insurer verified that e-bike taxis are not covered under any liability policy, and the owner of the e-bike would need to get their own insurance.

Councillor Yves Paquette suggested the provincial law should be changed.

Mayor Robert Lefebvre said the fact is that currently, e-bike taxis are illegal because of how they are defined under the law.