Throttle question - again!

[homemoz]

I have pre-ordered the Swytch kit - choice was between that or the Rubbee. Rubbee was very tempting but maybe not so good for my needs as a mainly recreational cyclist. Anyway, Swytch are now offering a discount throttle on pre-orders. My question is whether someone can give a definitive answer whether the throttle would legal in the UK with the 2018 Swytch kit fitted to a pre 2016 (approx late 1980's so no cause of ambiguity there). I've read all the pedelecs posts on throttles and other comments but am still no clearer. I prefer the old fashioned throttle set up to a pedelec, so a simple throttle set up would be my ideal choice if legal on UK roads.

 

[flecc]

If, as I suspect, the Swytch kit is being fitted to an old ordinary bike, it will be illegal to have a throttle. That's because you will be creating a new pedelec, regardless of it having old constituents.

If the Swytch kit is replacing an existing motor system on an early e-bike, you could regard it as a repair by replacement parts. If that original e-bike had a throttle, having a throttle again would be legal. If it didn't originally have a throttle we'd be in a sticky area of law which would have to be argued in a senior court to determine the spirit of the law for a resolution. I'm quite confident that resolution would rule out a throttle in the latter circumstance.
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[raymee]

Have you or are you being asked to pay in advance for the Swytch kit ??

 

[homemoz]

If, as I suspect, the Swytch kit is being fitted to an old ordinary bike, it will be illegal to have a throttle. That's because you will be creating a new pedelec, regardless of it having old constituents.

If the Swytch kit is replacing an existing motor system on an early e-bike, you could regard it as a repair by replacement parts. If that original e-bike had a throttle, having a throttle again would be legal. If it didn't originally have a throttle we'd be in a sticky area of law which would have to be argued in a senior court to determine the spirit of the law for a resolution. I'm quite confident that resolution would rule out a throttle in the latter circumstance.
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Thanks Flecc. I guess I thought that would be the case but wanted to be sure.

 

[homemoz]

Have you or are you being asked to pay in advance for the Swytch kit ??

Yes, the catch is being asked to pay in advance. Accept that it is a risk...