Lime bikes are technically illegal in Alberta, but don't expect a ticket if you ride one

Riding a Lime bike as they are currently equipped could technically land users on the wrong side of the law in Alberta.

Calgary police say it's not something they will actively enforce, but according to the Alberta Traffic Safety Act, power-assisted bicycles must be equipped with a headlight, tail light, brakes, reflectors, brake lights, a horn and a mirror.

The 375 electric assist bikes deployed recently in Calgary's downtown and Beltline as part of a pilot project, however, don't have brake lights or mirrors.

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There is a small tail light, which regulations say must be clearly visible from 150 metres away. 

That means users could — under the letter of the law — receive a ticket as the bikes are currently outfitted.

Const. Mat Tait of the Calgary police mountain bike unit says it's unlikely riders would get one, however, as officers won't be out actively enforcing.

He likens the infractions to driving 51 km/h in a 50 km/h zone.

Helmets

Riders must also wear an approved bicycle or motorbike helmet when operating a power-assisted bicycle — which are alllowed to have up to 500-watts of power and a top speed of 32 km/h, according to the Traffic Safety Act.

Lime bikes have 300 watts of power and a top speed of 24 km/h.

"When they're going through the tutorial with the terms and conditions of riding a bike, one of the things they do have to agree to is that they understand and know that they have to wear a helmet in accordance with the Alberta law," said Scott Harvey, operations manager for Lime Calgary.

"People are embracing that and wearing helmets for the most part."

A team of Lime ambassadors is handing out helmets, free of charge, to people seen using the bikes without one.

Lag in legislation

Coun. Evan Woolley, who introduced the motion to allow bikeshare companies to operate in the city, calls it a case of legislation simply not keeping pace with modern living.

"E-bikes have been on city streets for years, so we're obviously introducing them in larger numbers and under this shared economy model," he said.

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"The Alberta Traffic Safety Act has not kept up with how mobility is changing in cities.… The world is changing very, very quickly, and it's incumbent upon cities and the province to both encourage and adapt to these changing mobility choices we have.

"At times, in politics, I say it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission, and governments are sometimes slow to keep up."

It's a decidedly different tack than when another company launched in the city three years ago.

After Uber arrived in Calgary in late 2015, the city obtained an injunction so drivers would not be able to operate until council updated its bylaws to regulate ride-hailing services to meet safety, insurance and regulatory requirements.

Uber re-launched about a month later, once the regulations had been sorted. 

Distracted and drinking

Lime has proven popular since it started, said Harvey, noting that 42 people signed up for the app-based service on the day it launched, and another 711 signed up on a recent Saturday when the weather was sunny and warm.

Power-assisted bicycles are not considered a vehicle under impaired driving legislation, meaning you won't have to worry about getting stopped for riding after a few drinks.

Bicycles are also exempt from the provincial distracted driving legislation.

Both provincial and city officials say they have been working behind the scenes to address the issue around Lime's bikes and the Traffic Safety Act.

"Our government knows how important it is for Calgarians to have easy access to safe, affordable ways of traveling to work or school, to see their family and friends, and to get around their communities," reads an emailed statement from Kate Toogood, a provincial government spokesperson.

"Government of Alberta staff met with Lime to discuss e-bike and e-scooter issues before launching their service.

"Exemptions for other aspects of Lime's operations may be required. Discussions are ongoing between Lime and the City of Calgary. Government will follow up with the city as appropriate."

Lime is also looking at adding electric scooters to the fleet in the spring.

Another company, U-Bicycle, is reportedly launching a similar service in Calgary in spring 2019. 

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