Electric bikes, such as ones like this being ridden in Paris by Antoine Lecuirot of the To Diffusion store last July, are at the centre of a bylaw controversy in Toronto. Lecuirot said e-bikes are climbing in popularity and sales have increased. (Francois Mori/Associated Press)

Toronto's public works committee is being asked to close a loophole that allows electric bikes on sidewalks.

The pedestrian committee says it has been receiving complaints about the power-assisted bikes on sidewalks, and wants them banned.

The co-chair of the pedestrian committee, Dylan Reid, says the e-bikes have smaller wheels than regular bikes, and that lets them get around a bylaw intended for children that allows bicycles with less than a 24-inch wheel on sidewalks.

"So what we're asking for is the city to simply clarify the situation and say that anything electrically powered or motorized can't travel on the sidewalks," said Reid.

Chiquita Phillips has just bought a power-assisted bike. It has a motor and a battery that will give her an extra kick to get up hills without the legwork.

Phillips says she doesn't intend to ride on the sidewalk.

"I don't ride my bicycle on the sidewalk, and I wouldn't ride an e-bike on the sidewalk," she said.

But riding e-bikes on the sidewalks isn't the only problem.

Calls for e-bikes ban

Yvonne Bambrick of the Toronto Cyclists Union wants the city to go further and ban e-bikes from bike lanes and paths.

"I believe that any type of motorized vehicle whether it's an electric motor or a gas motor belongs with other motorized vehicles in the main part of our streets," she said.

At the root of the cyclists' concern is Ontario's new Road Safety Act.

Under the act an e-bike isn't classified as a motorcycle, but as a "power-assisted bicycle" because it has handlebars and pedals, and is capable of being propelled by muscular power, has a power output of less than 500W, and the power stops when brakes are applied.

Even though e-bikes have an ignition, lights and a speedometer, the province says they're still bicycles.

So according to the law, e-bikes are allowed everywhere that regular bikes can go — bike lanes, bike trails, even bike stands and lockers.

Bambrick says she's not against e-bikes, it's just a matter of safety.

But Phillips says the new bikes are here to stay and people will just have to get used to them.

"I'm past the point where I can get up the hills with my own leg power," she said. "It's a nice easy way to get around the city; parking isn't a problem, no gas, what's not to like?"