Canada is warming up to the idea of electric bikes. Obviously, gasoline prices are a huge motivator, but Canadians are attracted to gadgets and gizmos, and while I'm not calling an electric bike, a gadget, it's not exactly "just a bike", and it's not a motorcycle.

The Canadian government recognized the unique characteristics of electric bikes, and as being distinct from existing motorcycle (and moped) classifications, because they are closer to bicycles than to gas-guzzling choppers.

Because of these distinctions, and because electric bikes are friendly to the environment due to their benign nature, Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations now defines electric bikes as Power Assisted Bicycles, unique vehicles, separate from a bicycle, with an attached electric motor.

This basically means that there a few special safety requirements, and that electric bikes are limited to an electric motors of 500 W output and a maximum speeds of 32 km/h. So definitely not as fast as a motorcycle.