'It's the Wild West': Saskatoon bike shop owner calls for enforcement of e-bike regulations

The owner of a bike shop in Saskatoon is calling on the province to enforce regulations on electric bicycles.

"Right now, people are buying these bikes that don't comply with provincial regulations," Greg McKee, co-owner Bike Doctor said.

Current regulations prohibit riders under the age of 14 and require a bike's continuous power output rating to be 500 watts or less. The bicycles also aren't allowed to exceed a speed of 30 km/h. 

McKee said he has received complaints from locals about e-bikes going fast on the Meewasin Trail in Saskatoon, which increases risks for public safety. 

"There's no recourse if they're riding them at 56 km/hour on the Meewasin Trail. There should be some checks. There should be some stops. There should be some radar set up," McKee said.

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He said some people are unwittingly buying electric motorcycles, thinking they're buying e-bikes. He also said there is no guarantee they can be repaired.

"I'm concerned that the Wild West environment continues."

He would also like to see more people educated on electric bikes, so they can make the right choice when they are buying one.