Pedelec Law - The Details

[flecc]

lt's interesting that my (and every) Mirider ebike will power along at around 15mph if you either hold the thumb button or set it to level 5.
And you only need to keep turning the pedals no matter how slowly.
So effectively that's a throttle as you're not contributing to the forward motion of the bicycle at all.
And it's fully legal.

Not just MiRiders, fully acting throttles, even twistgrip ones, are legal on any EAPC while turning the pedals.

The rules just say the power must stop when pedalling stops.
.

 

[Baz the balloon man]

I didn't get one when young, never liked them, just worked on them but rode all of them from 25 to 49cc.



Already got it long ago, the S Class Speed Pedelec, 45kph / 28mph allowed with up to 500 watts rating. Trouble is, out of all European countries, only Germany, Denmark and The Netherlands have accepted it, Britain and the 24 others, No Way.
.

I have been driving to Frankfurt regularly in a van for the last six months.

Germany has in my opinion really embraced the need for Two wheels transportation so it does not surprise that are ahead of the game .

Although their roads seem to be wider or more sensible to the safety of cyclists e or otherwise.

I think Bosch e systems will give China a run for there money shame us Brits can not get our act together.

Vincent , Royal Enfield, Raleigh ( made in Thailand now days )
Carrera originally in Vietnam at least the frames .
What happen to British Engineering ?
Sold out by the bankers and destroyed by the union’s ie the days of British Leyland .

Now we have to debate a cycle with a motor and a battery because ass wipes have worked out how to use them to steal phones of little girls .

 

[vidtek]

Why do you need a throttle anyway? PAS is so much better and much more comfortable.

As it has been pointed out few times, you can have legal throttle if you want it that much, so where is the problem?

I disagree. As a 75 year old I find it very dangerous setting off from traffic lights wobbling all over the road until I get a suitable momentum. Frankly if I did not have my throttle for starting off I would no longer feel safe riding my bike, and would pack it in altogether. For me it is about mine and others road safety, I really do not give a toss about the niceties of this over-complex set of laws that no-one really knows, least of all the local plod. I had a nasty accident a while back cycling to post a letter riding down a local alleyway a cat jumped a fence and ran across in front of me. I was doing about 12mph and hit a lamp post. My old bones against cast iron didn't end well. Now I rarely go over 12mph.

 

[Nealh]

I disagree. As a 75 year old I find it very dangerous setting off from traffic lights wobbling all over the road until I get a suitable momentum. Frankly if I did not have my throttle for starting off I would no longer feel safe riding my bike, and would pack it in altogether. For me it is about mine and others road safety, I really do not give a toss about the niceties of this over-complex set of laws that no-one really knows, least of all the local plod. I had a nasty accident a while back cycling to post a letter riding down a local alleyway a cat jumped a fence and ran across in front of me. I was doing about 12mph and hit a lamp post. My old bones against cast iron didn't end well. Now I rarely go over 12mph.

Tbh it sounds like one should honestly be thinking of giving up on two wheels and look at a trike bike.

 

[Bonzo Banana]

I disagree. As a 75 year old I find it very dangerous setting off from traffic lights wobbling all over the road until I get a suitable momentum. Frankly if I did not have my throttle for starting off I would no longer feel safe riding my bike, and would pack it in altogether. For me it is about mine and others road safety, I really do not give a toss about the niceties of this over-complex set of laws that no-one really knows, least of all the local plod. I had a nasty accident a while back cycling to post a letter riding down a local alleyway a cat jumped a fence and ran across in front of me. I was doing about 12mph and hit a lamp post. My old bones against cast iron didn't end well. Now I rarely go over 12mph.

Good luck to you and I really hope you continue to enjoy cycling whatever nonsense rules the government sets. Throttles are the default standard for controlling ebike power in most of the world for good reason across Asia, Africa, Americas etc. It's no surprise many ebikes from China have throttles already fitted because its probably madness to them that we don't use them in Europe. Full control of power at all times makes complete sense you use as little or as much as you want when you need it. It's fantastic for new unfit cyclists, elderly and disabled exactly the type of people that need to get onto ebikes if possible.

I remember a review of a basic Halfords ebike which was completely legal but gave full power shortly after rotating the crank, the delay between turning the crank and getting full power was inconsistent and managing such power was difficult plus of course full power like that put more strain on what was already a low capacity battery. Once you set off and continue to 15.5mph the battery was discharging even if you didn't need it and then of course cuts off. It was unsafe as pointed out by the reviewer and definitely would shorten the life of the battery pack and reduce the range. A unsafe and poor design choice forced on ebikes due to lack of throttle options due to moronic legislation that we should never have been adopted.

However there seems to be a weird mentality from some people that will support the EU at all times as a political choice rather than a realistic practical viewpoint. I see it all the time, they cannot explain their choice, they are completely irrational people but somehow they have to support the EU even when the legislation is terrible. However you see many countries of Europe where throttle ebikes are commonly used and openly used they just ignore the legislation. Bulgaria is one that comes to mind. Sometimes legislation is not in the interest of people and best ignored and that is certainly the case for banning throttles.

I personally don't even know why the cut off speed is 15.5mph it seems madness to me. The 20mph speed is common on many urban uk roads and would be the sensible option for the UK. You can easily cycle faster than 20mph on flats or downhill anyway without motor assistance. It would make sense to tie up ebike assistance with the urban 20mph limit but instead we have this 15.5mph nonsense.

Also why are we still calling all ebikes 250W it makes no sense. The crappiest weakest ebikes and ultra powerful hill climbing e-mountain bikes are still all called 250W its utter madness. We are out of the EU now so should start using sensible accurate legislation and certification which gives a clear indication of true wattage like the US certification. We shouldn't be pretending a ebike using over 1000W is a 250W motor.

The UK just needs to have sensible accurate non-manipulative certification for UK cyclists. Technical accurate but providing maximum safety standards. Really just an improvement of the UK certification before the EU certification where throttles were completely legal but a change to wattage and a 20mph assistance speed. I'm not saying the wattage needs to change in real terms just a 1000W ebike is actually called a 1000W ebike but still legal to use although I can see the case for a 750W maximum true wattage but that would make many so called 250W legal ebikes illegal afterwards.

 

[Seanoge]

I disagree. As a 75 year old I find it very dangerous setting off from traffic lights wobbling all over the road until I get a suitable momentum. Frankly if I did not have my throttle for starting off I would no longer feel safe riding my bike, and would pack it in altogether. For me it is about mine and others road safety, I really do not give a toss about the niceties of this over-complex set of laws that no-one really knows, least of all the local plod. I had a nasty accident a while back cycling to post a letter riding down a local alleyway a cat jumped a fence and ran across in front of me. I was doing about 12mph and hit a lamp post. My old bones against cast iron didn't end well. Now I rarely go over 12mph.

Yes, I'm 80 and agree about the Throttle......I would be lost without it

 

[vidtek]

Tbh it sounds like one should honestly be thinking of giving up on two wheels and look at a trike bike.

Hi Neal - There is no reason or need for it with my present bike (1986 Specialized frame with Tsdz2 motor with throttle), I can manage perfectly well. I have no room in my garage, two cars, lots of tools and other assorted junk a trike just won't fit.

 

[Seanoge]

Hi Neal - There is no reason or need for it with my present bike (1986 Specialized frame with Tsdz2 motor with throttle), I can manage perfectly well. I have no room in my garage, two cars, lots of tools and other assorted junk a trike just won't fit.
View attachment 64285

I tried a couple of Trikes with 2 back wheels........Impossible to ride.......I've heard from others that If you are used to an ordinary bike you will have trouble with a Trike...and I did........I had a 24" step thru Freego, I have now downsized to a 20" folding Freego 2014..........from Ebay......excellent condition...and a Legit Full Throttle....