“Zero tolerance” on wearing the electric bike helmet

Since the launch of Bixi in Sherbrooke, the craze for self-service bicycles, particularly electric bikes, has grown enormously. Nevertheless, The city currently has 255 bixi, 80 % of which are electric. Meanwhile, This choice is explained by the specific topography of the city, which makes this assistance useful for daily use. However,

Strict regulation – "zero tolerance" wearing electric bike

The use of electric bixes is strictly reserved for people 18. Nevertheless, over, or those with a 6D class driver’s license. Similarly, Wearing a helmet is also compulsory at any time and non -negotiable. In addition,

“It’s very dangerous […] And it’s zero tolerance. Therefore, “insists Benoît Pellerin, of the Sherbrooke Police Service (SPS), recalling that these bikes can reach a speed of 32 km/h. In addition, In the event of non-compliance with the rules. “zero tolerance” wearing electric bike users expose a fine of $ 111 to the road safety code, to which can be added an additional $ 50 to the municipal regulations.

A SPS bike squad actively patrols cycle paths. more frequented places, especially around the city center and university campuses, in order to ensure the good application of these rules.

A security reminder

With regard to efforts on awareness. the president of the Sherbrooke transport company (STS), Laure Letarte-Lavoie, which manages the Bixi network locally, recalls the many initiatives put forward since the launch. “In collaboration with the city, clear messages have been broadcast, both on bikes and on “zero tolerance” wearing electric bike stations,” she explains.

An educational. transient approach was first favored, the network established for less than a month, in partnership with the STS in order to allow citizens to adapt.

The SPS mentions that since January. around 121 fines have been distributed to individuals intercepted without a helmet on the handlebars of an electric bicycle, bixi or not.

Regarding the risks linked to the speed of bicycles, no reduction is provided in the short term. We are aware that this is a transition period. you just have to integrate the reflex to put the helmet, ”adds Ms. Letarte-Lavoie.