Being brand new to the forum I was delighted to find so many informative comments on the uses of the ebike. I plan to buy an ebike shortly but wondered about buying a bike which exceeds the current maximum assist of 15.5 mph in the UK. Surely the police do not check every ebike on the road. After all, it is just a bicycle. I have done 40 mph+ going downhill on my old Claude Butler bought in 1979.
The Law and the Electric Biker
- Thread starter MRMAC9
- Start date
you can go on pedalling as fast as you like, but the motor must cut out at 25km/h - there may be a little tolerance, the cut out can be gradual but above 27km/h, the assistance must cease. You can certainly throttle all the way up to 27km/h and start pedalling if you like. I do this some time to get the heart rate up for a bit then stop pedalling to recuperate, the bike switches back to full throttle. That still gives a good average speed.
Most of the bikes that are fitted with the king meter type display can have the speed limit increased by button pushing,you don't need to buy a dongle.
You obviously appreciate this makes it illegal to use as a bicycle but that is your choice.
The limit then becomes the speed of the motor and wheel diameter,26" wheeled bikes have a limit about 19mph and 29" wheels have a limit about 23mph. Downhill the only limit is your nerve.
As you say the police are unlikely to check,just don't run into anything or anyone,the police will sure spot a dongle in the event of an accident if someone gets hurt.
I used to be bothered by these illegals but nobody seems to care and there are many on the road.
Every Kudos bike leaves with the bike set legally at 15,5 mph.
KudosDave
You obviously appreciate this makes it illegal to use as a bicycle but that is your choice.
The limit then becomes the speed of the motor and wheel diameter,26" wheeled bikes have a limit about 19mph and 29" wheels have a limit about 23mph. Downhill the only limit is your nerve.
As you say the police are unlikely to check,just don't run into anything or anyone,the police will sure spot a dongle in the event of an accident if someone gets hurt.
I used to be bothered by these illegals but nobody seems to care and there are many on the road.
Every Kudos bike leaves with the bike set legally at 15,5 mph.
KudosDave
As Kudos Dave says, your only worry with an overspeed e-bike is if you have an accident.
Then if a police check shows it is illegal, you will have been riding a motor vehicle, not type approved, not registered or number plated and uninsured. If you don't have or are not qualified for a moped licence, you will also have been riding unlicenced.
The effects on any driving licence you may have could be severe of course, and you would leave court poorer.
All of this is unlikely, but it's as well to be aware of the possibilities.
.
Then if a police check shows it is illegal, you will have been riding a motor vehicle, not type approved, not registered or number plated and uninsured. If you don't have or are not qualified for a moped licence, you will also have been riding unlicenced.
The effects on any driving licence you may have could be severe of course, and you would leave court poorer.
All of this is unlikely, but it's as well to be aware of the possibilities.
.
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