Buyer’s Checklist and FAQ

Before you shop

Tick each box as you go.

• ☐ I know what I’ll use the bike for most: ______________________
• ☐ I know where I’ll ride most: pavement / pathways / gravel / trails / mixed
• ☐ My usual ride is about ____ km; my longest is about ____ km
• ☐ I’ve decided whether electric assist is: not wanted / nice to have / necessary
• ☐ I know which riding position feels best: forward / upright / reclined
• ☐ I’ve thought about balance and getting on and off: two wheels / three wheels / step-through
• ☐ I know how the bike will travel: ridden from home / car / SUV or van / pickup / topper / RV / trailer
• ☐ I’ve checked my vehicle’s tongue weight, roof load and hitch rating, if I’ll use a rack
• ☐ I’ve measured where the bike will be stored, including doorways and halls
• ☐ I have a safe indoor place to charge and store an e-bike battery, if I buy one
• ☐ My budget includes a helmet, lock, lights, bell, pump and any rack: $________
• ☐ I’ve tried the Which bike is right for me? tool and shortlisted two or three types
• ☐ I’ve read Alberta’s power bicycle rules if I’m considering an e-bike

For every bike you try

• ☐ Frame size tried, and one size either side if I’m in between
• ☐ I can get on and off easily, several times, including on a slope
• ☐ I can stand over it, or step through it, comfortably
• ☐ I can reach the ground when I need to stop
• ☐ Rode at least 20 minutes, including a hill, a turn, a curb cut and rough pavement
• ☐ Brakes stop me confidently, including downhill
• ☐ Lowest gear is low enough for a coulee climb
• ☐ Hands, wrists, neck, back and seat felt fine afterwards
• ☐ I lifted it (front, back and whole bike) and rolled it backwards
• ☐ Tires suit my surfaces
• ☐ Room for a rack, fenders, bottle cage and lights if I want them
• ☐ Asked which local shop will service it

If it’s an e-bike

• ☐ Manufacturer’s label is on the bike; seller confirms it meets Alberta’s power bicycle criteria (500 W or less, assist stops at 32 km/h)
• ☐ Certified to ANSI/CAN/UL 2849 (or battery to UL 2271), by an accredited body: certifier ____________
• ☐ Battery capacity in watt-hours: ____ V × ____ Ah = ____ Wh
• ☐ Battery removes easily, without tools, for charging and storage
• ☐ Motor type: front hub / rear hub / mid-drive
• ☐ Sensor: cadence / torque; throttle: yes / no
• ☐ Tried every assist level, a hill start, and riding with the assist off
• ☐ Motor stops when I brake
• ☐ Weight with battery: ____ kg; without battery: ____ kg
• ☐ Battery warranty: ____ years; replacement battery available and price today: $______
• ☐ Which local shops can service this motor system and read its error codes
• ☐ Brakes: hydraulic / mechanical; rotor sizes: ____ mm front, ____ mm rear
• ☐ Lights run from the main battery: yes / no
• ☐ Realistic range estimate for a windy, cool day, with a reserve: ____ km (see the method)

If it’s a recumbent or trike

• ☐ Got in and out five times in a row without help, before and after the ride
• ☐ Seat height: ____ cm; higher-seat option available: yes / no
• ☐ Comfortable seat angle and reach to the pedals after adjustment
• ☐ Practised slow turns and felt when a wheel goes light
• ☐ Tried a slope and a cross-slope
• ☐ Overall width: ____ cm; fits my gates, doors and garage
• ☐ Parking brake works
• ☐ Flag and lights included or planned
• ☐ Folds: yes / no; folded size ____ by ____ by ____ cm; folded weight ____ kg
• ☐ Parts that must come off to fold: ______________
• ☐ Local service for steering, seat, front wheels and any motor

Transport and storage

• ☐ Rack or carrier chosen: ______________
• ☐ Bike’s weight is under the rack’s per-bike limit
• ☐ Rack plus all bikes is under the vehicle’s tongue weight and hitch rating
• ☐ Rack fits the bike’s wheelbase, tire width and frame shape
• ☐ I can load it: by lifting / with a ramp / with a helper
• ☐ Plate and lights stay visible with the rack on
• ☐ Storage spot measured; bike fits through the door
• ☐ Lock chosen: U-lock or braided steel cable, plus a second lock for the wheel
• ☐ Battery will travel inside the vehicle

Compare up to three bikes

Fill in a column for each bike you test ride. Rate each row from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).

Before you pay

• ☐ Final price includes assembly, setup and the first check-up
• ☐ Fit adjustments done, or booked: saddle, stem, grips
• ☐ Warranty terms in writing, for frame, parts, motor and battery
• ☐ Return or exchange policy understood
• ☐ Manual, charger and keys received
• ☐ Serial number written down: ______________________
• ☐ Used bike: serial number checked on Bike Index; battery age and storage asked; no modified battery

After you buy

• ☐ Registered on Bike Index through Lethbridge Police Service
• ☐ Photos of the bike and receipt saved
• ☐ Insurer called about theft and liability coverage
• ☐ Helmet fitted with the 2-V-1 check
• ☐ Lights and bell fitted
• ☐ Smoke alarm where the battery charges
• ☐ First check-up booked after a few weeks of riding
• ☐ First rides on quiet paved pathways, with the wind checked on the forecast page

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a licence, registration or insurance for an e-bike in Alberta?

Not for a power bicycle that meets the provincial criteria. A bike with a bigger motor or higher assisted speed isn’t a power bicycle, and other rules may apply. See Alberta’s power bicycle rules.

How old do you have to be to ride an e-bike in Alberta?

At least 12, under the province’s power bicycle rules, and the province’s guide says riders also need written consent from a parent or legal guardian, so teen riders should carry it. Many manufacturers set a higher minimum age in their manuals.

Do adults need to wear a helmet?

On a power bicycle, yes, at every age. Alberta’s cycling safety page says a bicycle helmet is acceptable, but check alberta.ca or ask a registry agent which helmet types are currently accepted. On a pedal bicycle, helmets are required by law for riders and passengers under 18, and recommended for everyone.

Can I ride my e-bike on Lethbridge pathways?

The City’s Bicycle Bylaw 6427 includes e-bikes in its definition of a bicycle, so the same bylaw applies to both, including yielding to pedestrians on multi-use pathways. Some areas, such as nature reserves and preservation areas, restrict bikes. Ride at pathway speed. Check the bylaw on lethbridge.ca or call 311 for specifics.

Is a 750 W e-bike legal here?

Not as a power bicycle. Alberta’s criteria cap the motor at 500 W continuous. A more powerful bike falls outside the power bicycle rules.

How far will an e-bike really go?

It depends on wind, hills, temperature, weight, speed and assist level. The same bike can go more than twice as far on a calm summer day as on a cold, windy one. Measure your own riding, and keep a reserve. See real-world range.

Are trikes safer than bikes?

They’re more stable when stopped and at walking pace, and you won’t fall over at a red light. But they can tip in fast turns and on cross-slopes, and low trikes are harder for drivers to see. See three wheels can still tip.

Should older riders get a recumbent or trike?

Only if it suits the rider. Age alone isn’t a reason. Many older riders are happiest on an upright or step-through bike. Test the seat height and getting in and out before deciding. See who they really suit.

Can I put my e-bike on the bike rack I already have?

Only if the rack’s per-bike and total limits, and your vehicle’s tongue weight, cover it. Many racks designed for pedal bikes aren’t rated for heavy e-bikes. See tongue weight.

Where should I charge my e-bike battery?

Indoors, at room temperature, on a hard surface away from anything that can burn and away from exits, with a smoke alarm nearby, and not overnight while you sleep. Use only the original or approved charger. See battery fire safety.

How should I store my e-bike battery over winter?

Indoors, above freezing, at the partial charge your manual recommends, checking it every month or two. See winter storage.

How do I protect my bike from theft?

Lock the frame and wheels to something solid with a good U-lock or braided steel cable, write down the serial number, and register it with Bike Index, which Lethbridge Police Service uses. See locks and theft.

Where can I find a map of Lethbridge bike paths?

The City publishes a Parks, Pathways and Trails map, an interactive trails map and a cycling route map. Links are on Bike paths in Lethbridge.

Can I ride to Coaldale on the LINK Pathway?

Phase 1, from Coaldale west towards Highway 512, is open. The Lethbridge connection was still in progress when we last checked. See The MPE LINK Pathway.

Is an e-bike “cheating”?

No. You still pedal, and you choose how much help you get. For many people, an e-bike means riding more often and further than they would otherwise. But if you want the most exercise from short rides, a pedal bike may be the better fit.

Sources

• Government of Alberta, Rules and Regulations Applying to Small Vehicles (updated November 2018): transportation.alberta.ca (PDF)
• Government of Alberta, Cycling safety equipment: alberta.ca/safety-equipment
• City of Lethbridge, “Council approves updated Bicycle Bylaw” (November 12, 2024): lethbridge.ca
• Lethbridge Police Service, Bike Index: lethbridgepolice.ca/bike-index
• Health Canada and Transport Canada, Misuse or modification of lithium-ion batteries in e-mobility devices (2023): recalls-rappels.canada.ca
• MPE LINK Pathway, FAQs: linkpathway.org/faqs
• Detailed sources for each answer are listed on the linked pages.