I think that most of the forum are aware that full speed throttles (those that throttle up to 15.5 mph) will be illegal on bikes bought after January 2016,unless the bike has type approval.
Ironically the big European manufacturers often sell e-bikes with type approval, but regs on mainland Europe prohibit throttles ,except use below 4 mph-take off device,so the big manufacturers have no reason to type approve e-bikes with full speed throttles.
This leaves the smaller UK suppliers with the decision as to whether to type approve their e-bikes,just to provide a full speed throttle.
For some time now most of our e-bikes have only a ' up to 4 mph' throttle,it does not seem to unduly affect sales so whether the cost and effort of type approval is questionable.
The bike,of our range, that seems to suit a full speed throttle is the Kudos Secret folder,which lends itself to a short journey commuter bike and many like the throttle to lazy ride to work and/or quick takeoff at junctions,it's a shame to delete the throttle off that style of bike.
Our complete stock of full speed throttle bikes will be sold by year end, I wonder whether there will be a rush at the last minute.
This change will considerably affect the type of bikes that can be legally sold in the UK,the moped or scooter style bikes with their footrest pedals will be very difficult to operate without a throttle. The 1000 watt bikes with or without throttle will have to type approve or SVA into the light moped class.
Being practical about it,how many small manufacturers will type approve their e-bikes,anyone who has gone through SVA knows what a logistical and bureaucratic nightmare is involved. Although I thank those who tried to retain throttles in the UK,the offer by the DFt allowing throttles only on e-bikes with type approval,was in reality a sop to reward those efforts but without practical foundation.
It looks to me that after January 2016 we will all abide with mainland Europe EN15194.
KudosDave
Ironically the big European manufacturers often sell e-bikes with type approval, but regs on mainland Europe prohibit throttles ,except use below 4 mph-take off device,so the big manufacturers have no reason to type approve e-bikes with full speed throttles.
This leaves the smaller UK suppliers with the decision as to whether to type approve their e-bikes,just to provide a full speed throttle.
For some time now most of our e-bikes have only a ' up to 4 mph' throttle,it does not seem to unduly affect sales so whether the cost and effort of type approval is questionable.
The bike,of our range, that seems to suit a full speed throttle is the Kudos Secret folder,which lends itself to a short journey commuter bike and many like the throttle to lazy ride to work and/or quick takeoff at junctions,it's a shame to delete the throttle off that style of bike.
Our complete stock of full speed throttle bikes will be sold by year end, I wonder whether there will be a rush at the last minute.
This change will considerably affect the type of bikes that can be legally sold in the UK,the moped or scooter style bikes with their footrest pedals will be very difficult to operate without a throttle. The 1000 watt bikes with or without throttle will have to type approve or SVA into the light moped class.
Being practical about it,how many small manufacturers will type approve their e-bikes,anyone who has gone through SVA knows what a logistical and bureaucratic nightmare is involved. Although I thank those who tried to retain throttles in the UK,the offer by the DFt allowing throttles only on e-bikes with type approval,was in reality a sop to reward those efforts but without practical foundation.
It looks to me that after January 2016 we will all abide with mainland Europe EN15194.
KudosDave