Jacques Nault's new e-bike has pedals, but he admits he hasn't used them yet. Here, reporter Simon Gardner cruises along a bike path in Ottawa on Nault's bike. (CBC)

Electric bikes that have the bulk and heft of a moped may be banned from Ottawa bike paths.

Rob Orchin, the city's manager of mobility and area traffic management, said staff will take a closer look at e-bikes due to concerns that some models might not be appropriate for paths used by pedestrians and cyclists.

"These are quite different and almost looking like a moped or small motorcycle," he said.

The ultimate decision on whether to ban e-bikes from paths used by pedestrians and cyclists will be up to city council.

Ottawa resident Jacques Nault bought an 80-kilogram scooter-style electric bike two weeks ago.

"I like it a lot and all my friends that I see, they want to buy one too," he said.

The e-bike has body panels, headlights and turn signals and can hit a top speed of 32 kilometres an hour.

It has two pedals that fit into a chain drive crank, allowing it to qualify as a bicycle, but Nault admits he hasn't used them yet.

Neither has he ridden much on the city's bike paths, but he believes e-bike riders should have the right to use the paths so long as they obey the speed limit of 20 kilometres per hour.

"If they don't go the full speed and they just cruise down the bicycle path, I don't think there is any problem," he said.

Charles Akben-Marchand, president of the local cycling advocacy group Citizens for Safe Cycling, said he isn't sure at the moment whether e-bikes like Nault's should be allowed on the paths.

"It's not really designed to be pedalled, so I'm leaning towards no [not allowing them]," he said. "But really, I think we should take a wait and see approach to see if it becomes a problem."