eBikes are illegal

[Drago]

It is indeed EAPC, but often misused as EPAC efen by folk thet should know like some retailers, sticker manufacturers, etc.

 

[classic33]

Good point

I have always thought it was EPAC
i.e. Electronically Power Assisted Cycle

but apparently the legal definition is ‘electrically assisted pedal cycle’ - EAPC

I do have a tendency to not notice switched letters (hence some of my spelling!)
so I have not noticed

but you are right it seems

some sites I have found use both FLAs on the same web page interchangeably

They're known as Electric, Pedal Assisted Cycles in mainland Europe, so the stickers might work there. Where the acronym would be correct.

The UK and Ireland* use the same regulations on EAPC legal cycles.

*The only European country that we share a land border with.

 

[matticus]

Why is it that so many people call them EPACs, when it should be EAPCs?

I'm guilty of this too!

I suspect it just rolls off the tongue better ... so once you read "EPAC", your brain isn't really interested when it sees EAPC.

EDIT. Aha:

They're known as Electric, Pedal Assisted Cycles in mainland Europe

This seems a good excuse!

 

[Dadam]

They're known as Electric, Pedal Assisted Cycles in mainland Europe, so the stickers might work there. Where the acronym would be correct.

The UK and Ireland* use the same regulations on EAPC legal cycles.

*The only European country that we share a land border with.

Surely a sticker that's legal on a EAPC/EPAC in the EU would also be legal here? That was the point, no?
Assuming it was legal there of course.

 

[mjr]

I'm guilty of this too!

I suspect it just rolls off the tongue better ... so once you read "EPAC", your brain isn't really interested when it sees EAPC.

EDIT. Aha:

This seems a good excuse!

While a good excuse, it's slightly wrong. The European Standard (EN 15194:2017+A1:2023) is titled "Cycles - Electrically power assisted cycles - EPAC Bicycles".

At first glance, the EU seems simply to refer to the EN rather than use EPAC or EAPC or any other term, at least in official publications.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Extremely Adorable Police Constables

Are you thinking of some of the early scenes with Amy in Doctor Who??

 

[Ming the Merciless]

It is indeed EAPC, but often misused as EPAC efen by folk thet should know like some retailers, sticker manufacturers, etc.

Aren’t they OAPC?

 

[classic33]

Surely a sticker that's legal on a EAPC/EPAC in the EU would also be legal here? That was the point, no?
Assuming it was legal there of course.

They could be legal in mainland Europe, simply because many but not all of those countries recognise the faster speed and the higher power motor allowed for assistance.
However, they also refer to all bikes that are covered by the regulations as Pedal Assisted Electric Cycles. The distinction being that the UK only recognises the first class under the same regulations as Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles. Those that fall outside of the first class, for whatever reason(s) are mopeds.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

They could be legal in mainland Europe, simply because many but not all of those countries recognise the faster speed and the higher power motor allowed for assistance.
However, they also refer to all bikes that are covered by the regulations as Pedal Assisted Electric Cycles. The distinction being that the UK only recognises the first class under the same regulations as Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles. Those that fall outside of the first class, for whatever reason(s) are mopeds.

So another name for them !

and another reason for the confusion

 

[classic33]

So another name for them !

and another reason for the confusion

No need for confusion, we've only the one class of electric assist cycle in the UK. Those that don't fall into the first class are illegal.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

No need for confusion, we've only the one class of electric assist cycle in the UK. Those that don't fall into the first class are illegal.

Which does keep it nice and simple
and should make it much easier to enforce

it the people doing it had the manpower and time

 

[Dadam]

They could be legal in mainland Europe, simply because many but not all of those countries recognise the faster speed and the higher power motor allowed for assistance.
However, they also refer to all bikes that are covered by the regulations as Pedal Assisted Electric Cycles. The distinction being that the UK only recognises the first class under the same regulations as Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles. Those that fall outside of the first class, for whatever reason(s) are mopeds.

Yes I know but by "legal" I meant the first classification, known as EAPC here. If it's a 250W, 25km/h, pedal assist only from the EU with the appropriate sticker, then it's a legal EAPC here is it not?

 

[Drago]

No need for confusion, we've only the one class of electric assist cycle in the UK. Those that don't fall into the first class are illegal.

Indeed. We, the media, and the dibble should call them mopedsmor motorbikes. They can add "illegally converted" if they like.

This endless tarring of ebike users with the undeserved brush of criminality demonises the law abiding while doing little to actually address the road crime problem of illegally converted mopeds flying about then place.

 

[classic33]

Yes I know but by "legal" I meant the first classification, known as EAPC here. If it's a 250W, 25km/h, pedal assist only from the EU with the appropriate sticker, then it's a legal EAPC here is it not?

But the stickers/labels refer to another country's classification, not this country's.

 

[Dadam]

But the stickers/labels refer to another country's classification, not this country's.

If you have an EU classified pedal assist bike can you ride it over here (and vice versa), or not? The whole point of harmonising the classifications was to make them equivalent and valid both sides of the channel.

My point was if you had an EU bike with an EU "plate" it would still be valid over here. Or am I missing something?