Motor-assisted cycles

What is a motor-assisted cycle (MAC)?

A MAC is a two- or three-wheeled cycle with a seat, pedals and an electric motor that is 500 watts or less. MACs cannot be gas-powered.

Because of their wide-ranging appearance, MACs can be easily confused with other types of motorized, two-wheeled vehicles, such as low-powered motorcycles or scooters.

Important: Know for sure whether you are riding a MAC. MACs have unique licensing, insurance and operating requirements.

Rules for using MACs

To ride a MAC, you must

• be 16 or older, and
• wear a bicycle helmet.

However, MAC riders are not required to

• have a driver’s licence, or
• register, license or insure their MAC (though insurance may be available under a homeowner's policy).

Rules of the road for MAC riders

On the road, an operator of a MAC has many of the same rights and duties as an operator of a motor vehicle. As well, a MAC operator must follow bicycle safety rules of the road. For example, a rider

• should operate as close as safely practicable to the right hand side of a road,
• must obey all traffic lights and traffic control devices,
• can not operate a MAC on sidewalks, except where specifically directed by a sign or local bylaw,
• must equip their MAC with appropriate bicycle lighting and reflectors if it is to be used between sunset and sunrise,
• must operate a MAC in the same direction as other traffic (not against the flow of traffic), and
• should use hand signals well in advance of any turn or stop.

For more rules of the road, see Section 183 of the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act’s Rights and duties of operator of cycle.

How MACs differ from low-powered motorcycles and scooters

Some MACs look similar to low-powered motorcycles and scooters.

Provincial regulations classify low-powered motorcycles and scooters as limited speed motorcycles (LSMs). While a MAC and an LSM may look similar, these vehicles have very different licensing, insurance and operating requirements.

What’s the difference between MACs and LSMs?

Description	MACs are cycles that combine the pedal power of bicycles with the power assistance of an electric motor.	LSMs are low-powered motorcycles or scooters. LSMs rely on motor power and are generally not equipped with bicycle-style pedals.
Propulsion	Electric motor under 500 watts and bicycle-style pedals for manual propulsion	50 cc or less or electric motor less than 1,500 watts
Maximum speed	32 km/h on level ground without pedalling	70 km/h on level ground.
Vehicle registration, licensing and insurance	None required	An LSM must be registered, licensed and insured as a motor vehicle
Driver requirements	No driver’s licence is required. You must be at least 16 years old.	You must have a driver’s licence of any class. (It doesn't have to be a motorcycle licence.)
Helmet requirements	Must wear a bicycle helmet	Must wear a motorcycle helmet
Rules of the road	Subject to the same rights and duties of a motor vehicle, such as obeying all traffic lights and control devices As well, an operator of a MAC should adhere to bicycle safety rules, such as riding as close as practicable to the right hand sand of the road and using hand signals in advance of any turn or stop.	Subject to the same rights and duties of a motor vehicle, such as obeying all traffic lights and control devices
Labels	As a condition of initial sale, all commercially manufactured MACs must bear a permanently affixed label stating that the vehicle is a “power-assisted bicycle”.	As a condition of initial sale, all commercially manufactured LSMs must bear a permanently affixed compliance label. On this, or on another separate label, a statement must appear that the use of the vehicle may be restricted by provincial authorities to certain roads.