Dorothy Moore is living proof that an average, ordinary person can influence a political decision.
She heard Oro-Medonte council was considering a change to a bylaw that would allow Class 1 electric bikes, or e-bikes for short, on the township’s Rail Trail.
Moore reached out to council members and asked them if they could consider including Class 2 e-bikes as well.
Class 1 e-bikes have only pedal assistance up to 32 kilometres per hour, while Class 2 e-bikes have pedal assistance up to 32 km/h and throttle assistance up to 32 km/h.
She was looking to add Class 2 because some people, due to illness, age or lack of physical strength to pedal a bike, need throttle assistance.
As both Class 1 and 2 max out at the same speed and share the same basic characteristics, Moore thought it could benefit some residents in the community.
Council agreed and voted to include both e-bikes in the new bylaw.
“I think it’s a great example of someone bringing an idea to council that makes perfect sense,” Oro-Medonte Mayor Randy Greenlaw said following Wednesday’s council meeting.
“She called and she basically educated us on what e-bikes were about and why this one was a good one to include. She was right," he added.
The current parkland bylaw restricts the use of e-bikes in parks and other greenspaces, which includes the Rail Trail, as they have typically been classified as motor vehicles.
While a report prepared for council by municipal law manager Curtis Shelswell and community services manager Roz Llewellyn recommended only Class 1 e-bikes, Shellswell told council including Class 2 e-bikes shouldn’t present any issues.
According to the report, e-bikes are growing in popularity, partially due to the enhanced accessibility.
“The electric assist feature makes cycling more approachable and manageable for people of all ages and fitness levels,” the report stated. “It’s particularly appealing to those who may find traditional cycling too demanding.
“This inclusivity is a major draw, as it opens up the joys of cycling to a broader demographic,” the report added.
Andrew Menezes, owner of Super E-bikes in Barrie, agrees. He said e-bikes level the playing field.
“E-bikes absolutely make cycling more inclusive,” Menezes said during an interview at his Essa Road store on Wednesday. “You’re probably doing about 10 per cent of the work and the bike is doing the rest.
“When you use pedal assist over a throttle, it actually increases the range of the bike. You can go farther and see more and exert the same amount of effort. It makes life a little easier,” he added.
Menezes says an entry-level e-bike costs about $1,000.
He said an e-bike would have an average range of 40 to 80 kilometres per charge and it takes four to six hours to charge using a standard household outlet.
