It’s the policy question that faces the scooter and the e-bike, the smallest forms of electric transportation. They’re surging in popularity among regular people, but the U.S. government hasn’t yet adopted them as solutions to solve heavy-duty problems like traffic jams or climate change. And it is not certain that it ever will.
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As a town that is lauded for its outdoor splendour, it is somewhat surprising that few investments have been made in dedicated cycling infrastructure for Nelson residents. But under the direction of council the last few years, staff has been tasked with resurrecting the City’s Active Transportation Plan from 2010, and went a step further by recently hiring a new senior planner.
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Despite the real-world implications of our outdated laws and regulations, it’s not what’s keeps most people up at night. It’s the daily grind. Getting around and paying the bills. And for some people, an extra thousand bucks in their pocket can make a big difference in their decision to get rid of an internal combustion engine for their personal mobility.
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On July 27th, the provincial government announced new and improved incentives intended to encourage British Columbians to buy electric-assist bicycles, or e-bikes. While the provincial government is contributing a total of $4 million to the rebates over the next two years, some believe the conditions of the consumer program may be too restrictive to result in meaningful shifts of British Columbians out of their cars and onto bicycles.
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BC’s Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) was written in 1957, a time when only 200,000 vehicles were registered province-wide, and bicycles were lumped alongside 'play-vehicles'.
While frequently amended in the subsequent six decades — hundreds of amendments in the last 20 years alone — the continued failure of the MVA to recognize the many different ways our roads are used today has resulted a couple of major issues impacting all British Columbians.
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The Province of British Columbia’s Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services have recommended eliminating PST on electric assist bicycles.
Currently, bicycles and transportation fares in BC are exempt from PST charges, and clean energy vehicles are eligible for rebates up to $5,000.
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