people in the uk cant go over 15.5mph on an ebike..WHY?????

 

You can't understand because you've got the wrong idea of what a pedelec is Simon. It's not a motor vehicle. The pedelec law isn't anything to do with what you as one individual can safely do.

 

A pedelec is a bicycle which legally has some limited power assistance for those who need it to be able to cycle. Because that limited power and speed is commensurate with what the majority of people can cycle at, they have no motor-vehicle style bureaucratic restrictions.

 

Pedelec law is not a means of powering bicycles to speeds well above what most cycle at. If you can pedal a bicycle around under your own steam at the 28 mph you mention, you are very fit so you do not need power assistance. Therefore the pedelec law doesn't provide for that.

 

The law does provide classes that allow higher speeds and/or higher powers, but for public safety they are accompanied by some restrictions. Whether you agree with those restrictions is another matter, but that's nothing to do with pedelecs, their law or their purpose.

.

You can't understand because you've got the wrong idea of what a pedelec is Simon. It's not a motor vehicle. The pedelec law isn't anything to do with what you as one individual can safely do.

 

A pedelec is a bicycle which legally has some limited power assistance for those who need it to be able to cycle. Because that limited power and speed is commensurate with what the majority of people can cycle at, they have no motor-vehicle style bureaucratic restrictions.

 

Pedelec law is not a means of powering bicycles to speeds well above what most cycle at. If you can pedal a bicycle around under your own steam at the 28 mph you mention, you are very fit so you do not need power assistance. Therefore the pedelec law doesn't provide for that.

 

The law does provide classes that allow higher speeds and/or higher powers, but for public safety they are accompanied by some restrictions. Whether you agree with those restrictions is another matter, but that's nothing to do with pedelecs, their law or their purpose.

.

i understand that it makes no sense, the law needs to change, a diesel car will cause you more damage in the lung than a e bike going 28mph..the law is stupid and needs to change, even if we have to register the bike and use a number plate and pay a little fee each year..for gods sake its 28mph in the usa....whats the point of spending out £2-£4k on a bike when you have it limited and have to buy aftermarket product to unlock it....

i understand that it makes no sense, the law needs to change, a diesel car will cause you more damage in the lung than a e bike going 28mph..the law is stupid and needs to change, even if we have to register the bike and use a number plate and pay a little fee each year..for gods sake its 28mph in the usa....whats the point of spending out £2-£4k on a bike when you have it limited and have to buy aftermarket product to unlock it....

 

It's not 28 mph in the USA Simon, Federal law there for e-bikes is 20 mph maximum assist speed.

 

But you still haven't got it, what you are saying is nothing to do with pedelecs as I explained. There is a 28 mph bicycle class as you've described which also permits up 500 watts rating, and it has minor restrictions, registration with a rear number plate and insurance. It's called the S class, the EU permits it and it exists in Germany, The Netherlands and soon in France.

 

Unfortunately so far here the DfT have refuse to permit it, so your argument should be directed that way, lobbying them to get permission here for the S class, not trying to get pedelecs unnecessary restrictions.

 

The DfT do show signs that they may at some time allow the S class, but unfortunately have put in place a category AM driving licence for it. Anyone who has a group P moped licence or motorcycle licence won't need that of course, nor will anyone who passed their car driving test before 1st February 2001.

 

So there's the facts, the 28 mph S class e-bikes may eventually be permitted with a suitable driving licence, but there will never be an increase of pedelec speed to that so it's a waste of effort trying to argue for it.

.

Edited September 1, 20169 yr by flecc

it's a waste of effort trying to argue for it.

 

You conveniently left out the argument regarding the pursuit of aliens bikers, beamed in from another planet. With 'Jihad' in mind, no doubt!

 

How would you catch those without a fast enough ebike??!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcLT-IiITL4

Edited September 1, 20169 yr by LeighPing

How would you catch those without a fast enough ebike??!

 

Either use a Yamaha R1 or let them chase me and grab them when they catch up.

.

Having tried the poor mans s-pedelec for a couple of weeks (unrestricted GSM) I am happy to be back on a bicycle once again. Getting between cities at 45 km/h is fine but when I get to destination I want something a little more relaxed. Maybe I could have a bike trailer with a pedelec on it?

 

In my ideal world I have a bike with a switch that goes between pedelec and s-pedelec depending on the destination.