This beautiful Canadian city in Southwestern Ontario is a haven for cyclists, with numerous trails, paths, and cycling infrastructure.
Whether you're a seasoned cyclist, a beginner, or you're considering making the switch to e-biking, this guide will provide you with all the information you need. We will cover everything from the best trails to explore, the current state of e-bike infrastructure, top rental and purchase locations, and the essential rules and regulations you need to be aware of.
London's Best Electric Bike Trails
London, Ontario offers a rich network of trails that provide fantastic options for electric biking. Here are a few popular ones:
Thames Valley Parkway (TVP)
Thames Valley Parkway is a 40-km scenic trail system that winds along the Thames River, connecting parks, natural areas, and community destinations. It's a shared-use pathway, meaning it's suitable for walkers, runners, cyclists, and of course, e-bike riders.
Fanshawe Lake Trail
Fanshawe Lake Trail is a 20-km trail that encircles Fanshawe Lake and winds through a variety of landscapes, including forests, fields, and wetlands. It's a bit more challenging than the TVP, but an e-bike can help level out some of the steeper inclines.
Springbank Park Trail
Springbank Park Trail is located in the largest park in London, this trail offers a beautiful, leisurely ride through green spaces and along the river. The trail is about 10 km long.
Sifton Bog Trail
Sifton Bog Trail is a wonderful trail around the perimeter of the bog which offers a lovely ride through a unique environment.
London's Electric Bike Infrastructure
London, Ontario, has made significant strides in accommodating the rise of electric bikes. As part of the city's dedication to becoming more cycle-friendly, there has been an increased focus on improving and expanding bike infrastructure, which also benefits e-bike riders. Here's a brief overview:
- Cycling Lanes: London has a developing network of on-street bike lanes and cycling routes that span across the city, accommodating both traditional bicycles and e-bikes. The city continues to expand these lanes to enhance connectivity and safety.
- Multi-Use Pathways: These pathways, such as the Thames Valley Parkway, are shared between cyclists, e-bike users, and pedestrians. They provide a safe and scenic way to navigate the city without having to deal with automobile traffic.
- Bike Parking: Many public and commercial areas in London provide bike racks or other designated areas for parking bikes, and these also accommodate e-bikes.
- Bike Signals and Boxes: In some parts of the city, there are bike signals and bike boxes at intersections. These are designed to provide cyclists with a safe and efficient way to navigate through intersections.
- Bike Shops and Rental Services: There are several bike shops in London that cater to e-bikes, offering services such as repairs, accessories, and e-bike rentals. These shops are integral to the e-bike infrastructure as they provide essential support to e-bike users.
Renting an Electric Bike in London
Several of the electric bike shops in London offer rental options for both short and long time periods. Pedego has their collection of e-bikes available for rent at their London outlet.
London's Best Electric Bike Shops
There are several bike shops in London, Ontario that cater to electric bikes. Here are some places that you might want to consider:
London Bicycle Cafe
London Bicycle Cafe specializes in electric bikes and e-bike conversions, offering a good variety for those specifically looking for e-bikes.
London Eco Bikes
A store that carries electric vehicles from e-bikes all the way up to e motorcycles. They have most e-bike types including cargo, commuter, fat tire, folding, and step over e-bikes. They offer top brands including Aventon, Emmo, and Bluerev.
First Cycleworks
First Cycleworks is known for their selection of high-quality bikes, this shop carries a variety of models including electric bikes.
To Wheels
To Wheels is one of the oldest bike shops in London and they provide a range of bikes, including electric ones.
Outspokin Cycles
While Outspokin Cycles has a focus on traditional bikes, they also carry a selection of electric bikes.
E-Ride
E-Ride is an e-bike specialist on Wellington St. They offer both e-bikes and e-scooters. They carry several notable brands including Pedego, Mangum, and IGO.
Totally Spoke'd
Totally Spoke'd is actually in nearby Stratford, but they have a selection of electric bikes.
London's E-Bike Rules and Regulations
Electric bikes in Ontario, including London are subject to specific rules and regulations according to the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. Here are the main points:
- Classification: In Ontario, an e-bike is defined as a bike that has a motor that has a power output rating of 500W or less, has a maximum speed on level ground without pedaling of not more than 32 km/h and has a maximum weight of 120 kg.
- License and Registration: Unlike regular motor vehicles, e-bikes do not require a license, vehicle registration, or insurance.
- Road Regulations: E-bikes are allowed on all Ontario roads where conventional bikes are permitted, except for controlled-access highways (such as 400-series highways) and certain municipal roads, including sidewalks.
- Equipment Requirements: E-bikes must not be ridden unless they are in good working order. In addition to a functioning horn or bell, the bike should also have reflective devices.
- Impaired Driving: The same rules for impaired driving that apply to regular bicycles also apply to e-bikes. You can be charged for operating an e-bike while impaired.
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