View Full Version
:
49cc and electric scooters
Messerschmitt
05-12-2022, 02:11 PM
Hi. Anyone has good knowledge what are the rules with 49cc scooters and electric scooters?
Do 49cc scooters need insurance? I believe they are limited to 70km/h. I know the electric scooter/bikes that are limited 70km/h require class 5/7 driver licence and insurance. What about the 49cc scooters?
What about the scooters that have 500W motor or below and are limited to 32km/h? Do those require insurance? I think there was an announcement a year or two ago about them and having pedals are not classified as an electric bike still and they were in limbo for a while (can't insure them but are not legal like a e-bike).
With high gas prices looking for something cheap to ride locally, and only use my car for long trips.
Thanks
Badhobz
05-12-2022, 02:26 PM
See here:
https://www.icbc.com/vehicle-registration/specialty-vehicles/Low-powered-vehicles/Pages/Mopeds-and-scooters.aspx
https://www.icbc.com/vehicle-registration/specialty-vehicles/Low-powered-vehicles/Pages/Electric-bikes.aspx
49cc mopeds still need insurance, and you need a driver license to ride them. just not a motorcycle license.
Ebike under 500w, you dont need anything.
Manic!
05-12-2022, 02:28 PM
Gas powered scooters need insurance. Ebikes and electric scooters don't need insurance. The motor must not be more than 500 watts.
Hakkaboy
05-12-2022, 02:29 PM
you absolutely do need insurance for a 49cc scooter. You just don't need a motorcycle license, just a normal class 5 will do
Messerschmitt
05-12-2022, 02:35 PM
Gas powered scooters need insurance. Ebikes and electric scooters don't need insurance. The motor must not be more than 500 watts.
So what about these kind of scooters?
https://motorino.ca/motorino-xpb/
I found one from 2018 second hand that I'd be looking to buy. It says 500W motor but 1500W peak. Is this still considered 500w, 32km/h limited, ebike thus no insurance needed? I think a few years back that article was about these type of scooters with pedals that were in limbo because the pedal are useless but it puts them into ebike category, and ICBC was disputing they would not be. But they were also non-insurable.
What's the story with them now? Are they legal or can I get in trouble if police is too bored?
68style
05-12-2022, 03:31 PM
Do you think the police can figure out how many watts your e-scooter is? The answer is almost assuredly no... same thing with all the guys with Rucks who have 150cc engines on them lol, ain't nobody telling ICBC it's not a 49cc anymore
Dinky pedals somewhere on the vehicle = no insurance needed
teggy604
05-12-2022, 06:10 PM
My advice is dont bother getting that scooter. Its just as big and probably more heavy than a 49cc scooter. You will be riding that on a bike lane and the bike lane is not made for those large size scooters.
You are better off getting a stand up E scooter or electric Unicycle. For $2-3K you can have a nice scooter around 2000-3000W with about 20-25Ah battery. Plenty of power and range to suit your needs.
Or if you want to stick with big roads get yourself a 49cc scooter. Insurance is cheap less than 200 a yr and depending on the scooter your fuel economy is like 1-2L/100km.
Manic!
05-12-2022, 06:25 PM
I would go with an ebike instead. You will get bothered less by police.
Messerschmitt
05-12-2022, 09:02 PM
My advice is dont bother getting that scooter. Its just as big and probably more heavy than a 49cc scooter. You will be riding that on a bike lane and the bike lane is not made for those large size scooters.
You are better off getting a stand up E scooter or electric Unicycle. For $2-3K you can have a nice scooter around 2000-3000W with about 20-25Ah battery. Plenty of power and range to suit your needs.
Or if you want to stick with big roads get yourself a 49cc scooter. Insurance is cheap less than 200 a yr and depending on the scooter your fuel economy is like 1-2L/100km.
I actually called a broker and she told me $66 a year. I had to ask twice if 66 is per year, not per month. I think the $53 yearly registration is always the same, so the plating and registration is more expensive than the actual insurance. That was only for liability since apparently ICBC did not offer comprehensive/collision.
I'm seriously debating if I should go with a 49cc. 70km/h instead of dinky 32, I already have class 5 and for $100-$150 a year including the registration. And I get unlimited range vs 30-60km since I can always fill the 5L tank in a few minutes.
Only thing is that I can get that e-scooter for $500. I haven't seen any 49cc's under 1.5-2k.
SkinnyPupp
05-12-2022, 09:12 PM
32 km/h scooter is the worse of both worlds.. You can't go on the roads so you stick to the bike lane, then you fuck over everyone trying to ride in the bike lane on actual bikes
If it's just for a hobby, then go for it.. For actual commuting? Maybe if it's really close by.
JDMDreams
05-12-2022, 10:40 PM
Any good recommendations for a budget $500 ish scooter? There was the Xiaomi one few years back but after shipping it was like $700. Costco has the Segway but that's like $1000. I have a e bike but I want something smaller that I can fold up hidden in the trunk. My e bike is too big for my summer car, first world problems:okay:
Badhobz
05-13-2022, 05:17 AM
IĀ’m a bit of a slow motorcycle connoisseur. Had a 49cc yammy vino, a 150cc Vespa and then a 300cc Vespa. Currently I have an Ebike from Costco and a Segway c80 (also from Costco).
I say get the 300cc Vespa. It’s fast enough so you can use it on the highway, it’s cheap enough that filling it up only costs about 7L and you go roughly 130km on a tank. It’s also comfortable and you can do 2 up on it (me and the wife both seat comfortably and im 6'2) and has abs. Insurance was 400 a year? so yeah a bit more, but not much more. As a commuter, this is the best; only problem is you need a helmet and a moto license.
https://i.postimg.cc/XYvCm32Y/IMG-1873.jpg
As a toy the Segway c80 is excellent since you can take it on bike lanes. Only problem with the c80 is when you go up a hill it’s really really slow. Great for flat places like Richmond, not so good for Burnaby. It also gets the advertised range of 60km's. Not like other ebikes where they say 50-60 and usually craps out at 30kms (like my ebicycle)
https://i.postimg.cc/g0Znb03m/IMG-0886.jpghttps://i.postimg.cc/SNd9gjfP/IMG-0986.jpg
This is my "exercise" bike. Its pretty good. Locally designed. A few complaints though: no suspension, so you feel every bump, its heavy (roughly 40lbs), the range isnt at all advertised. https://envodrive.com/envo-lynx-20/
Otherwise its pretty good. it can fold into a trunk of a sedan, and it charges pretty quick. it can easily go 32km/h
https://i.postimg.cc/8CzmR9Jq/IMG-0957.jpg
Dragon-88
05-13-2022, 09:02 AM
If you can find a BWS 50cc 2 Stroke scooter. They're the best of the business. Has all the in's and outs of a 50cc in terms of licensing and insurance. But throw a 70cc(~$200-300) and she'll do 70-80kph no problem. They are easily modifiable for power at very little cost. You may not like the smell of the 2T but the power from it makes all the difference.
68style
05-13-2022, 09:30 AM
I used to have a Yamaha BWS 2-stroke... orange tictac colour with the little flames on it... thing was a hoot
It would do an (indicated) 80km/h on flat road stock. They're hard to find because Canada banned 2-stroke motorcycle some years ago...
There are roads you cannot ride 49cc scooters on legally though... ie: Knight bridge and any highway with an 80 or above speed sign
teggy604
05-13-2022, 10:26 AM
If you can find a BWS 50cc 2 Stroke scooter. They're the best of the business. Has all the in's and outs of a 50cc in terms of licensing and insurance. But throw a 70cc(~$200-300) and she'll do 70-80kph no problem. They are easily modifiable for power at very little cost. You may not like the smell of the 2T but the power from it makes all the difference.
I agree. My buddy owns one with a 70cc big bore kit. Boy is it fun hooning around town. It does kill the gas mileage a bit but something's gotta give right? Lol
The best yami scooters are the prebug and bug 2 strokes. The 2012 bws is lame because they went with the 4 stroke. Although it great superb gas mileage.
Manic!
05-13-2022, 10:54 AM
I think you are better off getting a higher powered ebike vs a 49cc scooter. The Ebike needs no insurance and you can ride it way more places.
teggy604
05-14-2022, 09:42 AM
Any good recommendations for a budget $500 ish scooter? There was the Xiaomi one few years back but after shipping it was like $700. Costco has the Segway but that's like $1000. I have a e bike but I want something smaller that I can fold up hidden in the trunk. My e bike is too big for my summer car, first world problems:okay:
Xiaomi is probably the best value.
IMO around $2000cnd is where you will get something decent. Apollo, Vsett, Zero, Evolv, Emove. I find its where power, range, practicality meet.
punkwax
05-14-2022, 09:45 AM
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/34/79/0a/34790a86484a148362e89a8a9133bcdc.jpg
Messerschmitt
05-14-2022, 01:48 PM
Dinky pedals somewhere on the vehicle = no insurance needed
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/e-bike-rider-loses-court-case-against-ticket-for-operating-without-licence-insurance-1.5551692
Found it. Anything changed since this happened?
Manic!
05-14-2022, 09:45 PM
Just get an ebike like this instead. Most people I see using those e scooters are drug addicts, people with DUI's and others who don't have a drivers license.
This company is out of Vancouver. It uses a 1000 watt Bafang mid drive that's actually closer to 1500 watts. Will do over 50 KM/H. Hills will be no problem. Because it looks like a regular bike cops will not bother you unless you fly by them at top speed.
https://rizebikes.ca/products/rize-rx-pro
68style
05-14-2022, 11:33 PM
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/e-bike-rider-loses-court-case-against-ticket-for-operating-without-licence-insurance-1.5551692
Found it. Anything changed since this happened?
I remember this, honestly I see that the BCMVA doesn't agree with ICBC's rules... surprise surprise, the VI thread for cars is full of the same shit... so they're relying on "spirit of the law" arguments...
This was awhile ago, e-scoots were a relatively new thing and kind of pissing people off, I think the appetite for picking on them has passed and now they're here to stay/take over a bit...
That said, those things suck and they're really awkwardly sized, the optics of using them in bike lanes cuz it looks too much like a scooter, just get the bicycle like manic said, way better optics and I think a better made vehicle.
I would choose either motorized insured scooter for the road or e-bike... battery powered scooter is a bad combo of the 2.
djstyles
05-15-2022, 09:13 AM
I have 3 electric scooters and an EUC and they are all great for different purposes. The EUC has the best range, power, and portability per dollar but comes with a steep learning curve. I'm on day 4 of my EUC "training" and I can ride about 10 feet.
InMotion V11 EUC
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220515/66bd415c63df8b148e785cfaea84c21f.jpg
Apollo Explore
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220515/fcec0f3f16cd0b67ec79d2fae024994f.jpg
Segway Ninebot Max
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220515/d68e05f079d36f3f3a776e1c946031c8.jpg
Kaabo Wolf Warrior GT Pro
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220515/f7b690c6956d3005e9fce67b21a09726.jpg
dark0821
05-15-2022, 10:34 AM
Well my Ebike is still going strong.... I havn't used all that much since I got the Miata, it was a layover from my crashed EVO to when I found the Miata.
But I did use it for work commute at one point -> see my post from 2018 at the bottom of this post.
The bike is just past over 8000KM on the odo now... from 2500KM since my ownership ($900 from 2018 summer)
The last time I used it is when Miata was at the shop in Aria Auto earlier last month, about a 20KM ride (burnaby city hall ish to Aria Auto), everything still holding up, battery still going good (I was charging it every 3 month ish - reminders in my Google calendar) even when I am not riding it, all the brakes/suspension are still pretty good.
So yea =D
https://i.imgur.com/0znKuXL.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/1zvZG7d.jpg
urban ryder
https://www.urbanryder.com/products/urban-ryder-mtb-7-speed-electric-bicycle
https://www.revscene.net/forums/715114-does-anyone-have-electric-bicycle-2.html
Post #32
teggy604
05-15-2022, 03:56 PM
I have 3 electric scooters and an EUC and they are all great for different purposes. The EUC has the best range, power, and portability per dollar but comes with a steep learning curve. I'm on day 4 of my EUC "training" and I can ride about 10 feet.
InMotion V11 EUC
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220515/66bd415c63df8b148e785cfaea84c21f.jpg
Apollo Explore
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220515/fcec0f3f16cd0b67ec79d2fae024994f.jpg
Segway Ninebot Max
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220515/d68e05f079d36f3f3a776e1c946031c8.jpg
Kaabo Wolf Warrior GT Pro
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220515/f7b690c6956d3005e9fce67b21a09726.jpg
Nice collection. Thats like almost $10K in toys lol. I am too chicken to get a EUC. Need something to hold on to.
68style
05-15-2022, 10:11 PM
I was going to ask what is the point in having 3 battery powered scooters...
... but then I realized I have 5 different cars.
trollface
05-16-2022, 06:58 AM
My ebike is 350watt on paper, but does 60km/hr lol
djstyles
05-16-2022, 01:52 PM
Nice collection. Thats like almost $10K in toys lol. I am too chicken to get a EUC. Need something to hold on to.Thanks! The learning curve on an electric scooter isn't in the same league as learning how to ride an EUC. I do however, think that when it finally clicks the EUC will be much more fun than any of the scooters with exception of the Wolf Warrior probably.I was going to ask what is the point in having 3 battery powered scooters...
... but then I realized I have 5 different cars.That's what my friends and family said too lol but I just see it as having options and the ability to bring my non-PEV owning friends along [emoji2]
Sent from my SM-S908W using Tapatalk
teggy604
05-16-2022, 08:59 PM
Thanks! The learning curve on an electric scooter isn't in the same league as learning how to ride an EUC. I do however, think that when it finally clicks the EUC will be much more fun than any of the scooters with exception of the Wolf Warrior probably.That's what my friends and family said too lol but I just see it as having options and the ability to bring my non-PEV owning friends along [emoji2]
Sent from my SM-S908W using Tapatalk
For sure learning curve is pretty tough. Saw a bunch of PEV riders few months ago dt. Mostly dominated by EUC, although there were also scooters, skateboards /onewheels, and Ebike. If I remembered correctly the Facebook group was called Vancouver ESk8. They were doing a group ride. Thought it was pretty neat they doing that in Vancouver now.
vBulletin® v3.8.11, Copyright ©2000-2026, vBulletin Solutions Inc.