I can't really say what I want to because of our forum rules. So I'll just say that this is !@#$%^ messed up!

Seriously, then people complain that the TTC are the ones being unreasonable. Take a look!


http://www.youtube.co...


I really don't recommend taking an ebike on Transit unless it looks like a traditional bicycle.

I'm a little torn over this one. In cold weather with decreased battery life it actually makes sense to combine the ebike (even scooter style) with subway usage. I mean an electric mobility scooter/wheelchair takes up almost as much space. The TTC may have to clarify its bylaws to account for this type of situation. Also if my scooter suffered a mechanical breakdown near a subway that'd be much easier than trying to bring it back home in a taxi.

I volunteer bike with blind/visually impaired cyclists and sometimes we've had to take our club tandem bicycles on the subway due to weather or mechanical issues. Those tandems are definitely bigger and harder to control than an ebike within the confines of the train.

Anyhow, I plan to call the TTC to find out what they have to say regarding scooter style ebikes on the subway.

At the ferry docks this summer I almost wasn't allowed on the boat until I showed the City worker that it was electric powered scooter.

I recall seeing a photo of this guy earlier in the year, taken on the same day of this video.

It's going to be a bit of a battle trying to educate people all the time about scooter-style e-bikes wherever we go. This includes the TTC, GO Train, Ferry Docks and likely other places in the GTA.

While it's technically a bicycle and those are allowed on all the places listed above (except perhaps during rush hour, just like traditional bikes) it's going to be hard to convince people otherwise. Looks can be deceiving. Transportation Canada (or the Ontario equivalent) is doing nothing to educate the public about these vehicles, so that leaves it up to us, the e-bike riders of Toronto.

While I don't advocate a confrontational attitude when up against those ignorant of our vehicles, I believe we needn't be penalized for our choice of two-wheel transportation. Sure, it may be "the way of the future" as Grippla says in his video, it's possibly due to current battery technology restrictions that create this problem in the first place.

If I wanted to take my scooter-style e-bike on the subway to avoid an hour-long ride downtown in the cold, it would certainly make things easier for me. So long as I was being respectful of my fellow passengers. If I were stranded with my bike and couldn't afford a tow or a cab to rescue me and my dead e-bike battery, hopping on a TTC subway would make sense.

We've got a long way to go before this mode of transportation is well-integrated with other forms of transportation, providing a seamless way to get around the city.

Your thoughts?

Not only can the guy not afford car insurance rates, he can't read:
http://www3.ttc.ca/Ri...
TTC By-law No. 1
1. Definitions
1.1 In this by-law, unless the context otherwise requires:
c) “bicycle” includes a tricycle and unicycle but does not include a motor assisted bicycle;

Didn't realize myself that power-assist bikes are banned by the TTC... sounds like something worth a challenge. I've taken powered stand-up scoots on the subways for years with never a complaint... Well, other than the one time my vehicle was reported as "dripping gasoline"... Wasn't gas of course but only melting snow.

At some point in recent history TTC must have quietly amended their bicycle definition... I wonder who initiated this change...

Lock

The Internet Archives' "Way Back Machine" took a "snapshot" of that TTC By-Laws page on August 22, 2008:
http://web.archive.or...

On that date the By-Law page on the web did not detail the Definitions section, but only stated:
1. "Definition Section . . . Refer to official By-law."


The current page states at the bottom:
"The forgoing restated By-law No. 1 is hereby consented to and passed by the Commissioners of the TTC, this 21st day of January, 2009, pursuant to Subsections 143 and 366 of the City of Toronto Act."

...so the TTC *might* have initiated their ban as early as January one year ago.

tks
Lock

Roger and Nick did bring up very good points. Which at the time of my original post I didn't consider. I was more concerned with the way the individual was acting while trying to get into the subway. A group often (and mistakenly) gets painted with the same brush when something happens. I just feel that it could have been handled very differently. Rather than creating a scene. Which could potentially make all of us ebike riders look bad.

Lock thanks for looking that up for us. I don't agree with a ban like this. Which probably isn't enforced. Much like that sign that says No Smoking On TTC property. Yet I see drivers are smoking at Kipling station anytime I go there.

From here:
Bicycle Initiatives at the TTC

TORONTO TRANSIT COMMISSION
REPORT NO.
MEETING DATE: May 28, 2009
SUBJECT: BICYCLE INITIATIVES AT THE TTC
ACTION ITEM

RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that:
1. The Commission forward this report to the City of Toronto, Councillors Heaps and Fletcher, and the Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee, noting that:
• TTC staff have expanded, introduced, or planned a number of bicycle-related initiatives over the past several years to better accommodate bicycles on TTC vehicles, to provide better bicycle access in rapid transit stations, and to provide additional bicycle parking at stations;

BACKGROUND
Over the past several years, TTC staff have been expanding existing bicycle initiatives, and introducing new ones, to encourage better integration of cycling and transit. These initiatives, which are highlighted in this report, include: better accommodation of bicycles on TTC vehicles (such as the ongoing expansion of the bicycle-racks-on-buses program); planning for better bicycle access at stations (including the upcoming pilot project to implement bicycle stair channels); and the provision of additional bicycle parking at/near rapid transit stations in partnership with Toronto Transportation Services.
Toronto Transportation Services is the City division which is responsible for the implementation and operation of transportation facilities other than public transit. As part of its overall transportation strategy, the City of Toronto is strongly promoting sustainable modes of travel, including both transit and cycling. The provision of bicycle parking, and the integration of cycling and transit, are two of the six key components of the Toronto Bike Plan, which establishes a vision for cycling in the city.

... All this while at the same time adding a ban on motor-assist bicycles... My *guess* was that this was done as an expedient related to the TTC adding bicycle carriers to their buses, that do not appear designed to accomodate the scooter-style ebikes...


It's hard to see when exactly the TTC added this bicycle definition that excludes ebikes...

From here:
http://www3.ttc.ca/Ab...

TORONTO TRANSIT COMMISSION
REPORT NO.
MEETING DATE: JANUARY 21, 2009
SUBJECT: AMENDED TTC BY-LAW NO. 1 – UPDATE
ACTION ITEM

DISCUSSION
As a result of the Ministry of the Attorney General’s review and previous comments received by the Commission, we have amended the by-law and Set Fine Schedule as set out in Schedules A and B. The following is a list of some of the significant amendments relating to the previously adopted new by-law:
• General exclusion clauses allowing the TTC to authorize certain activities or exempt TTC personnel have also been added throughout the amended by-law.

tks
Lock

BTW, the prior post references the Toronto Bike Plan, originally established in 2001:
http://www.toronto.ca...

Chapter 8 titled Cycling and Transit:
http://www.toronto.ca...

8.1 Guiding Principle and Background
Bicycling and public transit both provide transportation alternatives to the private automobile. But for many travellers, neither form of transport alone can compete with the car’s range, flexibility and convenience.
However, if bikes and transit work as a team, they make a formidable alternative to the car – just as flexible and convenient, more relaxing and often faster; and without the automobile’s environmental impacts.

In the 1980’s, Toronto was a leader among North American cities in encouraging the combination of cycling and public transit. At that time, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) was one of very few major transit agencies that permitted bicycles on transit vehicles. However, in the 1990’s, many major urban areas, such as San Francisco and Seattle, eclipsed Toronto. These days, bicycle accommodation and encouragement are common features of both large and small transit agencies.
Given the goal of doubling the number of cycling trips in Toronto by 2011, the City needs to take better advantage of the cycling/transit connection. The guiding principle for this spoke of the Toronto Bike Plan is:
Bike-and-ride expands the choices for nonauto trips.

The Bikeway Network described in Chapter 5 will, over the next ten years, complement the already dense network of high quality transit routes in the City. One of the criteria in evaluating candidate routes for the network was the quality of the connection to rapid transit stations. While the Bikeway Network, by itself,
will increase the number of bike-and-ride trips, the Plan includes four objectives to further strengthen the cycling/transit connection:
· Improve bicycle accommodation on transit vehicles;
· Improve bicycle parking facilities at transit stations;
· Improve bicycle access to transit stations; and
· Increase promotion of bike-and-ride.


A blanket ban for all motor-assisted bicycles appears to fly in the face of the Toronto Official Plan.

tks
Lock

City of Toronto Staff Report from May, 2009:
http://www.toronto.ca...

STAFF REPORT
INFORMATION ONLY

Date: May 25, 2009
To: Public Works and Infrastructure Committee
From: General Manager, Transportation Services
Wards: All Wards
Reference Number: P:2009\ClusterB\tra\tim\pw09011tim
SUMMARY
The Toronto Bike Plan makes recommendations for improving cycling conditions and encouraging cycling in six key program areas: building bicycle friendly streets policies; expanding the bikeway network; improving bicycle safety; promoting cycling for everyday travel; providing secure bicycle parking; and improving the links between
cycling and transit. Progress has been made in implementing the Bike Plan’s recommendations in all six program areas.
Since the Bike Plan was adopted by City Council in 2001 there have been a number of important new cycling-related developments in the City and new bicycle planning trends in North American cities. In response to the experience of the first seven years of the Bike Plan’s implementation and these new trends, this report presents six new strategic directions for achieving the Bike Plan’s goals for the period 2009-11.

The Bike Plan new directions are to:
launch a Toronto Public Bicycle System by Spring 2010;
expand the downtown bikeways to support the Public Bicycle System;
accelerate construction of the Bikeway Network trails;
expand high-security bicycle parking facilities;
develop a comprehensive research and evaluation program; and
develop a new promotion and communications strategy.


It appears City staff are unaware of at least one new cycling-related development since 2001, the rise of the modern ebike and it's legalization (finally) in Ontario in 2009...

Tks
loCk

I'll have to follow up with the PR/media department of the TTC for the definitive answer.