Rick Binette, an enthusiast of the gyroroue, an electric unicycle, and a citizen of Coteau-du-Lac, wants to make people who opt for this unorthodox means of transport aware of the need to respect the law and the Highway Safety Code when riding their machine.

The 50-year-old has been passionate about this environmentally-friendly mode of transport for the past two years. In the last few days, he contacted Neomedia. "Very recently, the law concerning electric scooters, bikes and gyroroues was passed, and there are currently a lot of questions and rumors about it. I thought I'd clarify a few points for users of this equipment. Personally, I ride very often on the region's bike paths, and I come across people going very fast on their bikes without being fully protected with the necessary equipment," he says.

A maximum speed of 25 km/h on the province's roads

The new law allowing electric scooters on streets with speed limits of 50 km/h or less came into force on July 20. This project benefits from a three-year trial period for drivers aged 14 and over who wish to try it out.

Until the adoption of this ministerial decree, electric scooters were illegal on the province's roads. Since July 20, however, they have been allowed to travel in Quebec at speeds of up to 25km/hr.Motor power is limited to 500 watts.The decree specifies that the wheels must be at least 19 centimetres in diameter, and that the machine must be equipped with reflectors.Finally, the device must weigh no more than 36 kilograms.

Only one person at a time is allowed on the machine, and headphones are not permitted. Helmets, however, must be worn.What does the Highway Safety Code say about offenders? To date, it states that "in the case of a continuous offence, such as when an engine exceeds the 500-watt limit, the machine may be seized and stored. Most fines will be $200, plus costs, for a total of around $320.

A word of caution

Mr Binette's gyroroue can reach a maximum speed of 80 km/h.

However, he never pushes his machine that far. "When I'm on Chemin du Fleuve in Coteau-du-Lac, I'm going a maximum of 30 km/h. But people who pass me think I'm going faster.Yet people who pass me think I'm going faster, but I'm not - I've got a speedometer to prove it.In Vaudreuil-Dorion or Montreal, I can go up to 50 km/h," he explains, pointing out that a machine like his costs between $2,000 and $5,000 plus tax.

On his gyroroue, Mr. Binette can travel within a radius of 90 km to 120 km from his starting point.His wife uses a 1500-watt electric scooter. Despite the strength of her scooter, she travels a maximum of 25 km on the bike path.On her scooter, she can cover distances of up to 90 km.Binette is well equipped for his hobby, but not everyone is."I encourage people to make sure they're properly equipped before buying a scooter, a bike or a gyroroue.Personally, I put on my helmet, knee and elbow protectors. I see people who have none of these.  Please equip yourself for safety.  When you ride a racer like this, you don't have a frame to protect you from impacts like you do in a car."

Offensive to promote the hobby

Over the next few months, Mr. Binette and a few of his friends would like to take part in the Tour de l'Île de Montréal to raise awareness of his now-legal hobby."For example, if we're assigned to safety, we could ride around the circuit with our machines and educate people about their driving and safety rules.It would be a great showcase for us, but also for this discipline."

How is it sharing the road with motorists?" In Montreal, I never ride alone. I'm always in a group of about 10 or 20.We get honked at a lot.In the region, as in Vaudreuil-Dorion, people are more courteous.I ride on the right at a speed of around 40 to 50 km, and I make the same signs as the cyclists to announce my turns and other intentions. It's going well ," he concludes.

To find out more about Mr. Binette, you can follow him on TikTok at @Ink_Euc_Rider.