NIU UQi Pro, NIU UQi+ and DYAD DS1 Models Banned from Public Roads in Quebec
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Update from August 18, 2024
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Dear customers,
Here's our latest update.
SAAQ - Exploring the Possibility of UQi Pro/UQi+ Registration
The engineering firm we use to ensure the Transport Canada compliance of some of our other products (such as the NIU MQi and NQi series or the Segway e110a) has contacted the SAAQ on our behalf and on behalf of other importers or dealers. We're still waiting to hear whether or not the NIU UQi+ and NIU UQi Pro already on the market can be regularized, or what steps need to be taken. The SAAQ can authorize the registration of these models: it regularly does so for modified or home-built vehicles. However, there is no guarantee that the SAAQ will approve.
MQi+ Sport Body for $995 (Compatible with UQi+ Batteries)
Alternatively, pre-ordering a MQi+ body only is the easiest solution. UQi+ batteries fit this model. The MQi+ is approved in Canada and has the national motor vehicle mark. The scooter bodies will arrive in spring 2025.
The exchange rate is great for buying and importing scooter bodies. We will put together a group order in about 30 days.
You can pre-order a MQi+ Sport body for $995 by clicking here: https://jusst.com/products/special-order-niu-mqi-sport
Select the "body only" option. If you need more range, you can pre-order this model with an additional battery. Select the "31Ah" or "42Ah" battery option.
Just a heads-up: this product is offered at cost and isn't eligible for financing.
The pre-ordered MQi+ Sport won't be eligible for the $500 Roulez Vert subsidy. The Quebec government is ending this subsidy on January 1, 2025, and they're not accepting new product registrations.
For more info on the MQi+, see the manufacturer's page: https://www.niu.com/en/product/m-plus
Moped License (Class 6D)
You can get a scooter license in less than a day at: https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/permis-conduire/obtenir-permis/scooter-classe-6d
Trade-In Option for UQi Pro/UQi+?
Some of you have asked if you can return or exchange your NIU UQi+ or UQi Pro. We can't take back or exchange your scooter for logistical and economic reasons. We have over 400 new UQi in stock that we can no longer sell in Quebec, not to mention our rental UQi's that have become unusable overnight. Our private sale prices for UQi or DS1 owners are the same as a buy-back or exchange. Products are offered at cost, and we make no profit. We are doing our best to minimize the impact of this order on our customers.
If you have not received our private sale price list, please send us an e-mail at hello@jusst.com.
Since we're in the middle of the summer season, we couldn't come up with any other solutions for the time being.
Ontario Marketplace Resale
Marketplace resale is quite successful, with prices ranging from $1200-$2500, depending on the mileage and condition of your scooter. These models remain legal in most other Canadian provinces, where they can be ridden on public roads without a license or registration.
Toronto. The NIU Toronto branch at 770 College Street can provide maintenance and mechanical follow-up.
Ottawa. JUSST branches in Montreal will provide annual service for Ottawa buyers.
If possible, please send us the names of new buyers.
Spring is the best time for sales.
You can consult the definition of electric bicycle on the City of Ottawa's official website, "Sharing the road" tab, paragraph "Do all e-bikes look like bicycles?" https://ottawa.ca/en/parking-roads-and-travel/road-safety/cyclists
We also invite you to consult the definition of "electric bicycle" on the official site of the City of Toronto, tabs "Types of E-bikes" and "Where you can ride an E-bike in Toronto": https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/cycling-in-toronto/cycling-and-the-law/electric-bicycles-e-bikes-e-scooters/#:~:text=E%2Dbikes%20in%20Ontario%20must,motor%20not%20exceeding%20500%20watts
Finally, check out the Ontario Ministry of Transportation's "About E-bikes" tab: https://www.ontario.ca/page/riding-e-bike This definition is broad enough to include moped-type electric bikes.
Additional Details
Until July 30th, the Quebec government, the SAAQ and the City of Montreal all had similar definitions to Ontario.
As a reminder, the DS1, NIU UQi+ and UQi Pro models were legally imported and sold as electric bicycles for use on public roads. These models were documented as such, inspected and approved for entry by the Canada Border Services Agency. As noted above, they were legal in Quebec until the July 30, 2024 order. Otherwise, it would be hard to understand how the SAAQ and the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal could have allowed so many users to circulate in peace for the past fifteen years.
These models remain legal in most other Canadian provinces, where they can be driven on public roads without a license or registration. This legal difference between provinces is possible because in Canada, the federal government has left it up to the provinces and territories to regulate their use on public roads.
Only the Dyad DS1, NIU UQi Pro, and NIU UQi+ are affected by the order. All our other models we sell, or rent are legal on public roads. Without exception, all our other models are legal on public roads.
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Update from August 3, 2024
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Dear customers,
A ministerial order published in the Quebec Official Gazette on July 30, 2024 confirms that electric bicycles resembling mopeds or scooters are no longer allowed on public roads unless they meet Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) and bear the manufacturer's National Safety Mark (NSM) applied by the manufacturer at the factory. This means that in Quebec, these models are now classified as road vehicles (like mopeds or scooters) and therefore require registration, insurance and a driver's license.
The order is available here:
https://www.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/fileadmin/gazette/pdf_encrypte/gaz_entiere/2430A-A.pdf
The NIU UQi Pro, NIU UQi+, and DYAD DS1 models do not bear the national safety mark and do not meet the CMVSS standard because they were imported as electric bicycles and not as road vehicles. As a result, they can no longer be used on public roads in Quebec. The absence of this national safety mark (which must be obtained by a Canadian manufacturer or importer at the time of importation) also prevents any application for individual registration with the SAAQ.
Please note that this order only applies to the province of Quebec. These models remain legal in most other Canadian provinces (including Ontario), where they can be ridden on public roads without a license or registration. This legal difference between provinces is possible because in Canada, the federal government sets the standards for electric bicycles, but the provinces and territories have the power to regulate their use on roads and highways.
We were caught off guard by this order, just like many of you. It took effect immediately, with no advance notice, and there was no transition period for users or retailers/importers. In less than 24 hours, models that were previously legal on public roads have become illegal.
If you are the current owner of a NIU UQi Pro, NIU UQi+, or DYAD DS1 and your name is on our records, you are eligible for a private sale on all our models. You can buy the model you prefer at a discounted price. Some models require a driver's license and benefit from a government subsidy, while others do not. All are approved for use on Quebec roads.
On July 31st we sent a special price list to all affected customers. If you did not receive it, please contact us.
The Old Montreal store at 625 Saint-Maurice is the designated boutique to welcome you.
Please do not hesitate to contact us or the store team if you have any questions ( hello@jusst.com or 438.798.0398 )
If you have the time, make your voice heard by sending your opinion to:
SAAQ: francois.fortin@saaq.gouv.qc.ca
Minister of Transport: Genevieve.Guilbault.LOHE@assnat.qc.ca
Gazette du Quebec: gazette.officielle@servicesquebec.gouv.qc.ca
and cc:
Electric Mobility Canada: info@emc-mec.ca