HAMILTON, Bermuda — Bermuda’s government has given owners and operators of e-bikes and e-scooters until October 31 to regularise their status before enforcement of the Auxiliary Bicycles Act begins.

Minister of Tourism and Transport Owen Darrell said the government has reached the point where it must draw “a clear, public line” requiring all road users to follow the rules governing motorised two- and three-wheeled vehicles.

“The number of e-bikes on our roads has grown far faster than most of us expected, and the consequences of that growth are no longer hypothetical,” Darrell said.

He pointed to reports this year of a young rider travelling at more than twice the posted speed limit and a 71-year-old Bermudian being hospitalised after being struck by an e-bike ridden by a 15-year-old.

“These are not abstract statistics. They are our neighbours, our elders, and our children, sharing narrow roads with machines that can now move as fast as a car,” he said.

Under the requirements, all e-bikes must be registered and licensed with the Transport Control Department (TCD). Riders must also hold the appropriate licence to operate the vehicle and have valid third-party insurance.

Every rider will also be required to wear a proper, certified helmet similar to those worn by motorcyclists.

To help owners meet the compliance deadline, TCD will offer inspections and registration on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm, beginning September 26.

The government is also working with local insurance companies to expand the insurance products available for e-bikes.

Darrell urged e-bike owners to use the grace period to bring their vehicles and documentation into compliance.

“This time period does not make illegal operation lawful. It does not apply to underage riders, nor does it permit the operation of an unlicensed or uninsured vehicle,” he said.

“Our goal over these seven weeks is compliance, not confrontation. We would much rather spend September and October helping people get right with the law than spend November responding to the alternative.”

Assistant Commissioner of Police for Operations Martin Weekes said the Bermuda Police Service will step up traffic enforcement over Halloween weekend.

Weekes said enforcement measures have been under discussion for some time, particularly because of concerns about the number of young people using e-bikes.

Police officers will stop e-bike riders to determine whether their vehicles are registered, he said.

Any bike without auxiliary plates will be seized and taken to TCD for testing to determine its wattage and registration status, according to Weekes.

“We anticipate that a lot of enforcement is going to be required but as the minister pointed out, the ministry has given everyone a seven week grace period for everyone to get ready,” Weekes said.

“There’s going to be a lot of angst, I am sure from people who have purchased these cycles however [they] have been given enough time to get them licensed, TCDed and ready for October 31.”

Darrell also said the government is examining import rules to determine whether e-bikes capable of travelling above certain speeds should be allowed to be imported.