eBikes are illegal

[classic33]

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?

You're missing something.

Most of Europe has two separate classifications of ebikes, which includes those that can go up to 28mph, and a 1,000 watt motor.
They* are all classed as pedal assisted electric bikes.
The UK regulations don't recognise the faster, more powerful assistance motors.
They* are classed as electric assisted pedal cycles.

If you've one of the class one type ebikes, they are legal under the regulations in Europe. It's the fact that there's two classes in most of Europe, not all, that are recognised under the regulations that gets to most people. If they accepted that, type approval, MVSA aside, that the second class(faster, more powerful motor and throttle) are legally mopeds in the UK there'd be less "confusion". They see it available in Europe, they demand it be legal here. The law doesn't work that way.

*Class one and two in most European countries. Class one in the UK and those countries that don't recognise the second class as other than mopeds.

 

[Dadam]

@classic33 I think we're talking at cross purposes. I'm only talking about "class 1" ebikes. I am aware of the faster ones of course, and I know we don't have the same class over here but none of that is relevant to the point I'm making.

Restricting to the "class 1" bikes, can you ride one from the EU legally over here under the same legal class as a UK EAPC, yes or no?

If yes, then a sticker/plate that is legal in the EU is also applicable over here, by definition.

 

[classic33]

@classic33 I think we're talking at cross purposes. I'm only talking about "class 1" ebikes. I am aware of the faster ones of course, and I know we don't have the same class over here but none of that is relevant to the point I'm making.

Restricting to the "class 1" bikes, can you ride one from the EU legally over here under the same legal class as a UK EAPC, yes or no?

If yes, then a sticker/plate that is legal in the EU is also applicable over here, by definition.

The class one you ride in Europe, you can legally ride over here. That was the major factor in getting the requirements, motor size/power, cut-off speed the same. France had at least different power assist levels prior to the change, depending on where you were.

The point with that EPAC plate is it applies to both classes, with no differentiation between the two classes, where they exist.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

A private member bill has just been put through the first stages in the House of Commons

It seeks to make the sale of ebike illegal if they are not legal to ride on the roads - and includes the sale of kits to convert a normal bike into an ebike
the sale of them on any platform, including shops and online, would become illegal if it goes through

And it allows the sale of them to be stopped at source rather than the Police having to catch people using them

 

[Bristolian]

It's something I'd love to see but private members bills have a habit of dying a death long before they get anywhere near becoming legislation. Sadly.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

It's something I'd love to see but private members bills have a habit of dying a death long before they get anywhere near becoming legislation. Sadly.

I plan of writing to my MP tomorrow asking him to support it

probably a waste of time - but whatever

 

[Bristolian]

I plan of writing to my MP tomorrow asking him to support it

probably a waste of time - but whatever

I don't get on well with our MP since I caller her a pretentious pratt on Remembrance Sunday

 

[classic33]

I don't get on well with our MP since I caller her a pretentious pratt on Remembrance Sunday

We're you being honest?

 

[Bristolian]

We're you being honest?

Oh absolutely ... and she is

 

[Shut Up Legs]

I've been reading threads about e-bikes (and e-scooters) in local forums and this one, and have come to the conclusion that one effective way to stop the overpowered ones is to legislate to make selling them illegal if there is any way they could possibly be converted to be used above the legal power-assist limits. In other words: cut off this problem at the point of sale.

Otherwise, we'll continue seeing traders selling them and using the usual BS disclaimers about them only being legal in off-road environments, etc., and then having people buy them and use them at unreasonable speeds on public roads and paths.

 

[albion]

Maybe ebike users current destiny, over there, is the same as that of the homeless.

 

[classic33]

Oh absolutely ... and she is

Nowt to worry about then.

 

[Drago]

Maybe ebike users current destiny, over there, is the same as that of the homeless.

What, diced up and made into Soylent Green?

 

[mjr]

Amazon e-bike delivery jobs: A turning point for road legality of gig economy vehicles? | Cycling Electric – https://www.cyclingelectric.com/in-...int-for-road-legality-of-gig-economy-vehicles

 

[classic33]

Amazon e-bike delivery jobs: A turning point for road legality of gig economy vehicles? | Cycling Electric – https://www.cyclingelectric.com/in-...int-for-road-legality-of-gig-economy-vehicles

Not really new.
They've tried trikes before, as well as bikes. They were watching the DHL quadricycle trials, from the sidelines, with interest but not wanting to put any money into trying them.

Helmets to be worn by their delivery riders I see. This despite the cycles having to meet current EAPC regulations. With the blame being placed on the riders if they riding an illegal bike.