So, fate has finally caught up to me.

After 5 months of bringing my E-bike up and down to and from my apartment, building security finally stopped me.

Backstory: As we all know, my bike is a moving dance party complete with loud music and lights. And I routinely ride up to the doors of the lobby of my apartment building, giving more than enough space between myself, and anyone who may be milling about around the doors. I do not "gun it" up to the doors, but coast rather at >15km/h, ensuring that if need be, I can stop on a dime.

The situation: I'm rolling down my street, music going, lights on, etc. and I notice an Enterprise rental truck just posting up at the side driveway of my building. I pull up the fire route, onto the sidewalk and stop near the doors of my apartment building. There happened to be a group of older (50+) women, and their small dogs, who I pass with >1 metre clearance, as is normal practice with passing anything on a normal bicycle. I dismount my bike, and remove my helmet. At that moment I hear a voice bellow "What apartment are you from!", I look over and I see your stereotypical hot-head security guard staring at me with a look of disgust on his face. I tell him my apartment number, he asks if I am on the lease and asks my name, who I live with, and makes a point of telling me that my Electric Bicycle is a Motorized Vehicle, and is not allowed inside the building. And tells me that I could have hit one of the "elderly ladies" who were on the sidewalk, and asked me if I knew I wasn't supposed to ride on the sidewalk.

My response: I apologize for "almost hitting" the elderly women and their dogs.

He replies with: "If they stepped to the right you would have hit them, you raced up onto the sidewalk way too fast."

My response: I apologize once again, and admit that I should have dismounted my bike on the roadway, and walked it to the door.

His response: "You aren't even supposed to have this in the building, in the lease section *** subsection *** (I can't remember the numbers) it says motorized vehicles are prohibited"

My response: I point out that there are no greases or oils that could spill and make a mess, and I point out once again that under the law the bike is considered an Electric Bicycle, and is treated as if it were a normal pedal bike on the roads.

His response: *points to the thin layer of dirt accumulated on my tires* The tires of these bikes track in mud, and damage the tile and carpets in the lobby, elevators, and hallways.

My response: With that same logic, is it not true that muddy boots and regular bike tires track in mud?

His response: This vehicle is heavy, with all that weight on the tires, it damages the carpets more than walking, or a regular bike. (AFTER THE FACT Counter: I keep my tires at proper pressure to ensure that they roll smoothly)

My response: What about mobility scooters? There are able-bodied people using mobility scooters

His response: You don't know for sure that they are able-bodied. Mobility scooters are protected by (insert name of whatever handicap clause it was)

My response: So what do you propose I do? I can't leave it in the underground parking, there are no outlets, and someone will for sure steal it.

His response: Nobody will steal it, we can lock it up. There are no outlets?

My response: I'm sure someone will, they'll find a way. And I need to charge it.

Outcome: Tonight I can have the bike in my apartment, tomorrow I find out what property management has to say.

This security guy came off as really harsh, and I had an unfavourable day at school and work. This was the last thing I needed when I came home.

I'm going to talk to the superintendent of the building, ask for a copy of the lease, and read over it. There has to be a way I can keep the bike in my apartment. I'm not leaving $500 of unsecured LiFePO4 in the garage for someone to steal.

So Brayden, if building management takes the security guy's side, why not carry the light-weight lithium batts up to your unit to charge, and store the body in the underground? You could double lock with good quality locks, and maybe hang a "No Batteries" sign on your bike.

~ cheers

First of all I would say be very respectful and get them to trust and like you. If you can't do that you don't have much of a chance. They have every right to not allow you to take the ebike to your apartment as the property belongs to them. All you need is one complaint from a tenant and that is it. I doubt they will allow you from now on taking it to your apartment the way you described the incidence. Why not just take the battery to your apartment and charge it and bring it back down. That is what a lot of others do -- which I am doing also for the winter months only. Other wise find an out let in the under ground parking -- there must be something there. Security guy also deals with other crap so he comes off to you harsh bc that is his job to do so. You need him on your side for you. Be extra polite to him.

Ben: I'd rather not leave the bike without the battery, my battery bucket isn't the most stable thing (read: at one point, the entire bottom gave out, and the screws stripped, it's bolted together but I don't trust it.).

First of all I would say be very respectful and get them to trust and like you. If you can't do that you don't have much of a chance. They have every right to not allow you to take the ebike to your apartment as the property belongs to them. All you need is one complaint from a tenant and that is it. I doubt they will allow you from now on taking it to your apartment the way you described the incidence. Why not just take the battery to your apartment and charge it and bring it back down. That is what a lot of others do -- which I am doing also for the winter months only. Other wise find an out let in the under ground parking -- there must be something there. Security guy also deals with other crap so he comes off to you harsh bc that is his job to do so. You need him on your side for you. Be extra polite to him.

I've never seen these the security guys that confronted me tonight before. These guys were undercover, but carried appropriate identification. The regular guards are nice, they've actually held the door open for me a few times. There are no outlets at all in the underground of my building, I speak not a word of a lie.

I understand that they've got a lot of other things to deal with, I tried my best to remain calm, polite and compliant.

Monday sucks.

So Brayden, if building management takes the security guy's side, why not carry the light-weight lithium batts up to your unit to charge, and store the body in the underground? You could double lock with good quality locks, and maybe hang a "No Batteries" sign on your bike.

~ cheers

Plus, the underground parking is video monitored.

Ah the joys of community living.

An ebike is not a motor vehicle, neither under the Motor Vehicles Act, nor the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, no matter what it looks like.

The points you made were all true, so I am not sure where that leaves you. Sound like you were arguing with the monkey, you need to make your case with the organ grinder.

Is there not some sort of rental housing tribunal in Toronto to stop these kind of heavy handed abuses on the part of landlords? I am not sure why one should be harassed for doing the right thing by driving a light eletric assisted vehicle that you should be harassed for it.

Ah the joys of community living.

An ebike is not a motor vehicle, neither under the Motor Vehicles Act, nor the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, no matter what it looks like.

The points you made were all true, so I am not sure where that leaves you. Sound like you were arguing with the monkey, you need to make your case with the organ grinder.

Is there not some sort of rental housing tribunal in Toronto to stop these kind of heavy handed abuses on the part of landlords? I am not sure why one should be harassed for doing the right thing by driving a light eletric assisted vehicle that you should be harassed for it.

Follow up: The superintendent of the building said I can keep the bike in my apartment for the time being. This will be brought to the tribunal, although I am not feeling too confident that these people will see things for what they are. It did seem like I was arguing with a monkey, these people make up their own rules. I get screwed over for doing the right thing all the time, so I'll take what ever nonsense they throw at me.

"Ben: I'd rather not leave the bike without the battery, my battery bucket isn't the most stable thing (read: at one point, the entire bottom gave out, and the screws stripped, it's bolted together but I don't trust it.)."

Sounds as though it might be a good idea to get your battery compartment replaced or repaired, eh?

Good luck with the kondo kommittee, komrade!

~ cheers

Follow up: The superintendent of the building said I can keep the bike in my apartment for the time being. This will be brought to the tribunal, although I am not feeling too confident that these people will see things for what they are. It did seem like I was arguing with a monkey, these people make up their own rules. I get screwed over for doing the right thing all the time, so I'll take what ever nonsense they throw at me.
I think you got at least one complaint so the undercovered security guy was waiting for you at the door.
Think about others. Think about the superintendant has to clean up the carpet after you. Think about your e-bike take up most space in an elevator which broken often in an apartment building.

It is better for everybody if you leave your ebike in underground garage. You dont have to pay. Your bike is safe under video monitor. You dont have to ask others to open and hold door for you to enter the building. Your apartment unit has extra space... and you dont have to go the process which you may loss the case.

All you need is fixing your battery case or have a little cart ready to carry your battery to your apartment for charging.

Brandon, I would really like to see a picture of your lithium battery set up when you have a chance -- and perhaps a comment on how you are finding it working. Some still say lead acid is better. I'd like to read your opinion. Thanks.