nmmelectric

Interesting. I am about to do just that, but mine is for a recumbent trike, which makes this task much easier, though still a bit complicated. The reason is that I don't want to give up the option of touring in the Highlands (camping out), and the only two plausible kits (TSDZ2 and Photon) are not waterproof enough. I know that my Schlumpf Mountain Drive is, and that I can't get up serious hills without one or the other.

The following is a sticky thread on this forum, and contains links to the details: https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/pedelec-law-the-details.37594/ Or, for an authoritative version: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/all?title=Pedal%20Cycles

The law also specifies how the power must be measured, albeit obscurely; a claimed rating is not enough. I can't understand why you have so much difficulty understanding that simple fact.

Yes. Also, I don't know what Amazon's E-cargo vehicles are, technically, but I will bet that they at least bend the law pretty hard.

I am not. My head is higher than the top of my wife's sport's car. And, yes, I have such a beacon, though light it only when needed.

You may well be. For extra giggles, consider my recumbent trike; the EU regulation does not apply because of its seating height (nor does some of the UK law), so what law DOES apply? Almost certainly the last.

They assuredly can, and do. It is often delegated to councils, but the police still have the power to do so. Now, enforcing the law on non-pavement footpaths gets a lot more 'interesting', but that's a whole other thread. Harking back to the original post, I went to see the TSDZ2B and CYC Photon yesterday, and neither have a UK-legal plate or marking. I believe that the Bafang does, but have not seen its marking. I have not seen Shimano's or Bosch's, either, for that matter. That is important, because it is one of the things that the policemen are likely to be instructed to check if there is a crackdown, which is not unlikely where I live. It is massively unclear whether an owner/installer is permitted to mark a motor (correctly) himself; flecc may be able to clarify. I am going to enquire further about the Photon's legality, where there are a lot of other potential issues.

I am (but that's because it is my name) My trike would cost 8K to replace (I paid 6.5K in 2016), but good recumbent trikes are speciality items and expensive. My first investigations into this area were c. 2015 for my traditional roadster, and it would have made an impressive ride-everywhere E-bike! Unfortunately, my balance degraded too badly, so I had to give it up. A new STEPS trike from ICE would cost 10K. It's a lot of money, especially as I don't know how long I would use it for. Appropriate kits would cost between 1K (TSDZ2B) and 2K (CYC Photon).

That was exactly my reaction when I tried one.

Because I want the cycle to respond to my effort, not just to go faster. I am not worried about working hard - just that 'hard' for me is now much less than it used to be.

Indeed. When I was a mere lad of 70, I was looking for a road-legal hub motor that would be geared for assistance at under 5 MPH, because my problem then was hills of above 15%. I failed to find one. However, six years on and chemotherapy later, having lost 30% of my power, I am now looking for a road-legal torque-assist to make me feel as if I were 70 again I don't mind averaging under 5 MPH when touring in places like the West Country and Highlands, but it's not great where I live. I find your story of your Bafang interesting and impressive - it is one of the best but, unfortunately, does not have torque assist.

Fine. In which case, it isn't legal for use on UK roads. The slowest I (or most people) can ride with a 20" bottom gear is 2.4 MPH (40 RPM), and 500 Kg up a 15.5% slope at that speed is c. 800 watts. The law states clearly that an EAPC motor must not be able to maintain more than 250 watts for 30 minutes. A bottom gear of 6" (to reduce it to 250 watts) would just be plain silly (as well as infeasible, because I couldn't get the parts), because I wouldn't be able to pedal at more than 6 MPH in top gear! This thread contains everything you need to know, including a link to EN 15194. https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/pedelec-law-the-details.37594/ And, no, I could not fit an intermediate drive on my trike, because there is nowhere to put it.

You mean this one? https://www.heinzmann-electric-motors.com/en/products/bicycle-wheel-hub-motors/cargopower

And everyone's experience on another (mainly USA) forum I have frequented for some years. The people who do serious hill-climbing universally say that 250 W hub motors do not cut the mustard. I should also be fascinated to know how you fit a hub motor and hub gears into the same wheel, unless they are integrated by the manufacturer.

That's impressive.