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DIY Mechanical Dongle

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Out of curiosity do controllers & LCD displays need type approval should you wish to change them ?
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Out of curiosity do controllers & LCD displays need type approval should you wish to change them ?

 

Not if the resulting pedelec construction and provisions comply with the exemption conditions from needing type approval. That is:

 

Motor rating is at or below 250 watts.

 

Assist power only available when pedalling.

 

Power phases down and then cuts out before 25 kph.

 

For machines that are not pedelecs so are motor vehicles and have to have type approval, strictly speaking any parts changed must only be replaced with the originally sourced ones. Of course in practice that is widely disregarded.

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Maybe we should count ourselves lucky with 15 and bit mph from pedelecs - stumbled across this ol' Honda People ICE pedal bike from 1984 with 24cc, 0.7hp, top whack 9–11mph > http://www.icenicam.org.uk/articles4/art0070.html

 

Indeed, and not uncommon. Our original UK e-bike law used to have a maximum assist speed of 12 mph.

 

And Honda once again made the beautiful little folding e-bike below from early in this millennium. It was the Honda Step Compo model and its maximum motor driven speed was about 12 mph:

http://www.foldingcyclist.com/Honda-Step-Compo-2001-electric-folding-bike.jpg

  • 3 weeks later...

Fact of the matter is that if you mod your bike and have a crash involving a third party hospital visit there is a good chance a local force vehicle examiner is called. You'll get the points or prison time if there has been a serious injury. You'll also get sued by the victim as all they have watched on TV (whilst in a cast) is ambulance chasing ads. If you want to rag around scaring dog walkers and grannies get a moped like normal 16yr olds do. At least they are insured and wear proper helmets.

 

I AM BACK FROM 2008 and ready for an argument so bring it on. Did someone mention fascists too? It's the gift that just keeps giving. I can see the headlines in the mirror "Uninsured Nazi ebikers killing dogs breakin the law!".

 

Hi Flecc hope you are keeping well.

I AM BACK FROM 2008 and ready for an argument so bring it on. Did someone mention fascists too? It's the gift that just keeps giving. I can see the headlines in the mirror "Uninsured Nazi ebikers killing dogs breakin the law!".

 

Hi Flecc hope you are keeping well.

 

Hi Andrew, good to see you back and well enough for a scrap!

 

Yes I'm fine thanks but getting ever older at 83 now!

 

I see you did sneak in three posts in 2009/2010, so not quite so long an absence. But still far too long.

.

Fact of the matter is that if you mod your bike and have a crash involving a third party hospital visit there is a good chance a local force vehicle examiner is called. You'll get the points or prison time if there has been a serious injury. You'll also get sued by the victim as all they have watched on TV (whilst in a cast) is ambulance chasing ads. If you want to rag around scaring dog walkers and grannies get a moped like normal 16yr olds do. At least they are insured and wear proper helmets.

 

I AM BACK FROM 2008 and ready for an argument so bring it on. Did someone mention fascists too? It's the gift that just keeps giving. I can see the headlines in the mirror "Uninsured Nazi ebikers killing dogs breakin the law!".

 

Hi Flecc hope you are keeping well.

That's a bit hysterical. There's perhaps a small chance that there could be some consequences if you were caught using an illegal bike. At least one of our forum members was involved in an accident on an illegal bike. The police looked at his bike, which was by no means stealthily illegal, and they didn't say a thing.

The police looked at his bike, which was by no means stealthily illegal, and they didn't say a thing.

Sounds like he was lucky or depends what area you live in. A mate of mine is a RTA investigator with the local police force. He warned me not to doctor my bike because if I am involved in an accident they absolutely will check to ensure it has not been altered.

Sounds like he was lucky or depends what area you live in. A mate of mine is a RTA investigator with the local police force. He warned me not to doctor my bike because if I am involved in an accident they absolutely will check to ensure it has not been altered.

Despite all the scare stories, nobody can produce any evidence that anybody has ever been prosecuted for using an illegal bike in the UK.

seems no matter where you are the police dont give a crap uk new York aus ect.

 

bruno did get a $50 fine for racing the cars pmsl

 

Despite all the scare stories, nobody can produce any evidence that anybody has ever been prosecuted for using an illegal bike in the UK.

No idea what you mean by scare stories. From what I have read on here and other sites is that you are extremely unlikely to be prosecuted for using an illegal bike. If however you use an illegal bike and are involved in a serious accident where bad injuries or worse occur then people need to be aware that they could end up with massive fines or prison depending upon the circumstances. The fact that this has not happened so far (lets hope it never happens) does not mean that it wont.

That's the same as saying that the entire human population could be wiped out by an asteroid. Just because it hasn't already happened. doesn't mean it won't.

 

Until now, there's more chance of you winning the national lottery jackpot than getting prosecuted on an electric bike, since it's happened 3000 times. That's about a one in 20,000 chance.

Until now, there's more chance of you winning the national lottery jackpot than getting prosecuted on an electric bike, since it's happened 3000 times. That's about a one in 20,000 chance.

 

But the two have very different jackpots.

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Despite all the scare stories, nobody can produce any evidence that anybody has ever been prosecuted for using an illegal bike in the UK.

 

.. scooters. Or as the cops see them "illegal electric vehicles". It is indefensible and you run a risk. Sounds like you like a gamble.

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/boy-speeding-electric-scooter-cleveland-police-driving-licence-points-teeside-court-a8632951.html

 

https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/man-banned-and-fined-for-riding-goped-electric-scooter-with-cannabis-in-system-no-insurance-helmet-or-licence-1-5511638

 

On the balance of probabilities what do you think the chappy who ran off after fatally mowing down Cihan Sakine in London was doing as he disappeared with his ebike for 24h? If you were in a genuine accident with your bike what would you do if it were chipped/dongled?

 

If you topple over Mrs Mop at 8am from Keynsham walking her cute terrier on a crazy long -nearly invisible- extensible dog lead. Just an example ahem. Even if you aint speeding you'll be under extra scrutiny as he broken hip heals. You'll be shitting yourself because you derated your bike to lightspeed or gobby because you think you know best and want to be a test case.. It's worse still if you leave the scene of the accident to tamper with evidence.

 

The easiest thing to do for a road traffic cop to do is give the wreckage to the vehicle examiner who are.. famed for being assiduous in their role. If they can't get you on that, you'll have “injuring persons by furious driving" chucked at you. That law simply by it's name would instantly have a jury sitting up with interest.

 

blah blah just my opinion blah etc. By all means keep telling yourself and others it's fine. Things are changing and we are all responsible for the way ebikes are seen by the public and the police.

 

Personally? I'm for 15.5mph on the paths, 30mph (insured) on roads. Ideally we'll be trusted to not require an MOT.

Edited by andrewelectricbike1

Heres the "Be ambassadors or the tech rather than abusers" speeeeeech.

 

Want legit faster bikes? Get organised, start a petition and lobby lawmakers. Start a crowdfund, get pledges from manufacturers and sellers, hire a green lobbyist and offer a compromise in a bright new Britain. Today is the day with the zero emissions yada yada on the news.

 

Push for 15.5mph on paths 30mph (insured) on roads. Insurance would be paltry anyway. Saves your arse when you get sued. Might even get ebike insurance through your car guys. Also keeps your two ton box off the road.

 

or just tldr and gamble against being caught.

Push for 15.5mph on paths 30mph (insured) on roads. Insurance would be paltry anyway.

 

Trouble is that also means registration, number plate, driving licence and MOTs.

 

That's inevitable, since all those apply to 28 mph L1e-B mopeds.

 

Might as well buy a moped, often just as cheap, far more reliable and better weather protection, so a successful petition but with those added impositions could kill e-bike sales.

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.. scooters. Or as the cops see them "illegal electric vehicles". It is indefensible and you run a risk. Sounds like you like a gamble.

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/boy-speeding-electric-scooter-cleveland-police-driving-licence-points-teeside-court-a8632951.html

 

https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/man-banned-and-fined-for-riding-goped-electric-scooter-with-cannabis-in-system-no-insurance-helmet-or-licence-1-5511638

 

On the balance of probabilities what do you think the chappy who ran off after fatally mowing down Cihan Sakine in London was doing as he disappeared with his ebike for 24h? If you were in a genuine accident with your bike what would you do if it were chipped/dongled?

 

If you topple over Mrs Mop at 8am from Keynsham walking her cute terrier on a crazy long -nearly invisible- extensible dog lead. Just an example ahem. Even if you aint speeding you'll be under extra scrutiny as he broken hip heals. You'll be shitting yourself because you derated your bike to lightspeed or gobby because you think you know best and want to be a test case.. It's worse still if you leave the scene of the accident to tamper with evidence.

 

The easiest thing to do for a road traffic cop to do is give the wreckage to the vehicle examiner who are.. famed for being assiduous in their role. If they can't get you on that, you'll have “injuring persons by furious driving" chucked at you. That law simply by it's name would instantly have a jury sitting up with interest.

 

blah blah just my opinion blah etc. By all means keep telling yourself and others it's fine. Things are changing and we are all responsible for the way ebikes are seen by the public and the police.

 

Personally? I'm for 15.5mph on the paths, 30mph (insured) on roads. Ideally we'll be trusted to not require an MOT.

Sad for those involved, but it was always coming. Plod cottons on eventually; especially if offences are pushed under his nose.

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