An electric bike model, called Malta, has been produced in Canada.

The best thing about it is that you can plug it in to a regular outlet. A full charge takes six hours and it can run about 40 kilometres. A more expensive unit takes eight hours to charge and runs at least 70 km.

This model, the Malta, costs Can $1,000. The importer brings in 11 different electric bicycles, with the cheapest being Can $500 and the most expensive Can $2,500. There is also an off-road version that goes for US$7,000.

The parts for the electric bikes are made in China and assembled in Canada by Electro Wheels Inc. The company scored a coup when the Ontario government passed a three-year trial period for electric bicycles last autumn.

Canadian Government regulations say the electric bicycles can be used only in places where regular bicycles are allowed. That means no highways, but it does mean it’s OK to use them on bike paths. The rules keep the speed to 32 km/h. The bigger models could probably go much faster, but then they might be classified as scooters.

One of the problems with something this new is that the police don’t know what to make of them when they see them on city streets. Many of them think it’s a motorcycle. And that needs a licence. But riders of electric bikes don’t require a licence. The rules say the driver must be 16 years old and has to wear a helmet.

“These bikes do conform to the law, but the police don’t know about them yet,” says Jeff Brown, owner of Electro Wheels. “And there are customers who are being harassed by the police who tell them to walk the unit home or who get tickets.”