Rad Power Bikes Owners Forum

Rad Power Bikes Chat => General Chat => Topic started by: seand1109 on April 27, 2024, 04:02:58 PM

Title: Trip to Canada
Post by: seand1109 on April 27, 2024, 04:02:58 PM
Coming up from the states with a RadRover6 Plus... If I stay under 32kph/20/mph, will I be ok with my American spec bike? Is it an issue?
Title: Re: Trip to Canada
Post by: John Rose on April 27, 2024, 09:06:11 PM
Probably not an issue. It might depend on where you're going, like if people in the area have recently been complaining about wild-eyed youths hopped-up on goofballs, screaming along multi-use paths on Surrons and the like.
(https://l450v.alamy.com/450v/2td8d2e/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-desert-convoy-scene-2td8d2e.jpg)

In my area, a little town of 6,099 souls surrounded by farms, I've never heard of anybody's ebike being checked for Class 2 compliance.

But if you got involved in an accident and attention is then directed to the ebike, it might get dicey. I really have no idea.
Title: Re: Trip to Canada
Post by: seand1109 on April 27, 2024, 09:20:33 PM
Thanks Ya, no one plans on an accident... they just happen. I will be cruising around Vancouver, planning to take my time and really don't think anyone will hassle me but gotta ask. Say, are those bikes in your post all Red Green inventions?  :D
Title: Re: Trip to Canada
Post by: Naranja_CT5+ on April 28, 2024, 10:01:06 AM
I have taken a regular bike to Blaine,WA before and it's quite an enjoyable ride. A family member has a trailer there. I normally take the truck crossing because it's less busy.

Thinking out loud since your US bike are 750W. There is a possibility that a person can cross the border and sell it to the Canadians. Therefore the border services may require a proof that you leave Canada with all your equipment.

Word of warning. The George Massey tunnel does not allow cyclists but there is a shuttle that could take across. Check their schedules.

Richmond and Surrey are two places where you can cheat and take the LRT (Skytrain) all the way to downtown Vancouver.

I would suggest downloading Lower Mainland's bike paths.
Title: Re: Trip to Canada
Post by: seand1109 on April 28, 2024, 07:03:44 PM
I suspect it won't be a problem, traveling up with an RV and will be using it till my wife gets that with the car. Thanks
Title: Re: Trip to Canada
Post by: John Rose on April 28, 2024, 07:21:01 PM
Quote from: Naranja_CT5+ on April 28, 2024, 10:01:06 AM... Therefore the border services may require a proof that you leave Canada with all your equipment. ...
Whose border services? At what point would the Canadians have the opportunity to check that you took it back out when you left Canada? Is there some sort of shared database in which the US border service checks off that you brought the bike back in?
Even so, I don't think Canadian border service would care what you left Canada with, and I didn't think they would even stop you on the way out. (It's been a decades since I've crossed the border.)

It gets confusing when they talk about "importing" stuff, as if you were planning to buy it from outside Canada and keep it in Canada permanently. The most important thing may be not so much importing, but operating it in Canada. For instance, you may not import used mattresses into Canada, but clearly you are allowed to own and use them in Canada.

Have a look at Appendix C in https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d19/d19-12-1-eng.html , maybe there are some hints there. They talk about "Temporary Vehicle Imports", but they don't say much about actually operating them in Canada.
QuoteVehicles may be admitted into Canada without having to comply with TC's import requirements when used exclusively by a person entering Canada as a visitor for a period not exceeding 12 months, or temporary residents such as students studying at a learning institution for the duration of their studies in Canada, or individuals with valid work permits/authorizations for employment for a period not exceeding 36 months.
TLDR. Exactly which of "[Transport Canada's] import requirements" they mean, I have no clue.

I'd phone ahead to somebody official in the province you plan to visit (because each province has slightly different regulations for ebikes), to get chapter & verse, and don't accept an answer with the word "probably" in it.
Title: Re: Trip to Canada
Post by: Naranja_CT5+ on April 29, 2024, 12:42:08 AM
Quote from: seand1109 on April 28, 2024, 07:03:44 PMtraveling up with an RV
Hahaha my bad. I assumed you are crossing the border on your eBike. Please ignore the rest of my comments.
Title: Re: Trip to Canada
Post by: seand1109 on April 29, 2024, 08:22:26 AM
My bad for not giving more details. thanks for the input
Title: Re: Trip to Canada
Post by: seand1109 on April 29, 2024, 08:31:19 AM
"It gets confusing when they talk about "importing" stuff, as if you were planning to buy it from outside Canada and keep it in Canada permanently. The most important thing may be not so much importing, but operating it in Canada. For instance, you may not import used mattresses into Canada, but clearly you are allowed to own and use them in Canada."

I like this analogy, it trull fits the situation. I will use if needed but I am beginning to think I won't need to given the quote you sent

"Vehicles may be admitted into Canada without having to comply with TC's import requirements when used exclusively by a person entering Canada as a visitor for a period not exceeding 12 months" which I won't be doing, only a week.

I only asked because we frequently cross for vacations. Last trip I was quizzed by the Canadian Border patrol about firearms... Questions that would mean they had looked me up in US records. Not the normal do you have any ammo or firearms on board, but what was the last time you carried concealed. When was the last time I went to the range, and it wasn't a friendly interaction. I guessed I answered correctly because I passed thru.

We love Canada and I think they must love us, at least in the restaurant businesses because we eat out majority of the time, leftover the rest.
Title: Re: Trip to Canada
Post by: seand1109 on May 14, 2024, 10:16:39 PM
I am back with an update... not a single question at the border about the bikes on the back and no one cared. the bike trails around Vancouver were great. I highly recommend traveling thru the city, downtown, on e-bike just because you will beat the traffic and won't spend money on parking.
Title: Re: Trip to Canada
Post by: John Rose on May 15, 2024, 12:13:38 AM
Quote from: seand1109 on May 14, 2024, 10:16:39 PMI am back with an update... not a single question at the border about the bikes on the back and no one cared. ...
Well, glad to hear that you had a good experience.

Title: Re: Trip to Canada
Post by: JimInPT on May 15, 2024, 01:53:44 PM
Not a fan of talking beavers; it's always surprising and off-putting.
Title: Re: Trip to Canada
Post by: jimu on May 19, 2024, 08:51:04 AM
You could run into a problem using them in national parks.
Title: Re: Trip to Canada
Post by: seand1109 on May 19, 2024, 10:15:55 AM
Quote from: JimInPT on May 15, 2024, 01:53:44 PMNot a fan of talking beavers; it's always surprising and off-putting.
I'm quite the fan of talking beavers... especially when they are friendly.
Title: Re: Trip to Canada
Post by: seand1109 on May 19, 2024, 10:16:56 AM
Quote from: jimu on May 19, 2024, 08:51:04 AMYou could run into a problem using them in national parks.

I have heard that... just not experienced it as we tend to travel in the towns and cities.
Title: Re: Trip to Canada
Post by: Naranja_CT5+ on May 20, 2024, 07:36:37 AM
Quote from: seand1109 on May 14, 2024, 10:16:39 PMI am back with an update... not a single question at the border about the bikes on the back and no one cared. the bike trails around Vancouver were great. I highly recommend traveling thru the city, downtown, on e-bike just because you will beat the traffic and won't spend money on parking.
I'm glad you've enjoyed your visit. I looked at the bike map of Metro Vancouver and I am glad that it looked more cyclist friendly. It wasn't like that in my days. https://www.translink.ca/-/media/translink/documents/rider-guide/cycling/2021-cycling-maps/tl-cyclerouteseastwest_v2021web.pdf

You are right about the benefits of e-bikes regarding traffic. I have witnessed those roads turning into parking lots in certain hours of the day.

Did you do the Walmart thing or did you find a proper place to park your MoHo?
Title: Re: Trip to Canada
Post by: seand1109 on May 21, 2024, 10:46:52 AM
We like to stay at the Capilano River RV park just by the Lions Gate bridge. There are other places that are better in terms of looks, sites and services offered but this is really close to the city on the North side. Pricey, but convenient. No WIFI to speak of at the site, no Cable TV, close quarters, a few very long termers but they are not the junk piles you see in the states. There is a road not to far away that has roadsides that are also neat and clean, unlike in major US cities.