Increase in seizures of illegal ebikes

[Anthony-C]

Throttles on ebikes aren't legal if "fully acting" but they are provided they don't assist above 3.7mph unless pedalling, and not above 15.5mph of course.

 

[raleighnut]

Throttles on ebikes aren't legal if "fully acting" but they are provided they don't assist above 3.7mph unless pedalling, and not above 15.5mph of course.

They are if the bike/trike was built before the regulations changed.

My trike has throttle only for the assist but only so I can choose when to use power and when not to, It also keeps the installation as simple as possible with far less to go wrong. no 'sensors' anywhere and speed limited by the frequency the 3 phase 'Hall Effect' controller will put out

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

As said before bike with power assist can have a throttle is they were made before 2016
but they have to comply with those regulations fully - which gives a max power of 200W rater than 250W

They are still limited to 15.5 mph

BUT I believe that you can also get single vehicle approval from the DVLA for a throttle on a legal bike which makes it legal to have a throttle
but this is very rare

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

But - basically - the way that article is phrased means
either
a) the Police do not know the law
or
b) the person who wrote it didn;t check properly and wrote a load of rubbish

I know which I'm going for!

but - assuming something is being done and done properly - this is good news

 

[Dadam]

b) the person who wrote it didn;t check properly and wrote a load of rubbish

I'm opting for B.
It would be no problem to use said device to test for pedalling over 15.5mph, you just get one officer to hold the bike and another squats down and turns the pedals.

I did almost the same about an hour ago. Bike on a stand not a dyno but same principle. I'd changed the cassette on my Orbea Gain and was testing the motor was still working. It has a special lock ring with inset magnets, so you have to remember to use the old lockring not the one on the new cassette or the motor won't work.

 

[JonBuoy]

More info here: https://www.nottinghamshire.police....le-illegal-e-bikes-in-nottingham-city-centre/

I reckon that there is a bit of 'A' too

 

[classic33]

I'm opting for B.
It would be no problem to use said device to test for pedalling over 15.5mph, you just get one officer to hold the bike and another squats down and turns the pedals.

I did almost the same about an hour ago. Bike on a stand not a dyno but same principle. I'd changed the cassette on my Orbea Gain and was testing the motor was still working. It has a special lock ring with inset magnets, so you have to remember to use the old lockring not the one on the new cassette or the motor won't work.

What police in Leeds were using was the fact that the bike didn't require a rider to be on the bike when the test was done. Anything over the regulated cut-off speed on throttle alone were seized as unlicensed mopeds, no insurance or driving licence. The easy stuff to catch them on.
47 mph above the cut-off speed, with no rider, was the worst offender.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

More info here: https://www.nottinghamshire.police....le-illegal-e-bikes-in-nottingham-city-centre/

I reckon that there is a bit of 'A' too

The Police Officer seems to be saying that you can have a throttle as long as it does not exceed 15.5 mph when using it
They are even pointing to the regulations on a phone screen at one point

They should know that this is almost certainly illegal just by having a throttle

UNLESS their legal department has said that this is dodgy ground for a prosecution and they are better off getting evidence that it goes over 15.5 mph using the throttle on top of everything else

Be nice to know what the cops in the street have been told

 

[raleighnut]

More info here: https://www.nottinghamshire.police....le-illegal-e-bikes-in-nottingham-city-centre/

I reckon that there is a bit of 'A' too

A load of bullcrap, you would think they'd know the regulations. As for the 'illegal activities' how does delivering a Pizza become illegal,
TBH these riders do themselves no favours by riding on pavements dressed in black with no lighting.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

A load of bullcrap, you would think they'd know the regulations. As for the 'illegal activities' how does delivering a Pizza become illegal,
TBH these riders do themselves no favours by riding on pavements dressed in black with no lighting.

Just riding it is illegal

and at least some of the people riding will be using the pizza delivery (or whatever) as a cover for "other things"

but a lot are just trying to make some money - but that is no excuse to riding an illegal vehicle

 

[classic33]

The Police Officer seems to be saying that you can have a throttle as long as it does not exceed 15.5 mph when using it
They are even pointing to the regulations on a phone screen at one point

They should know that this is almost certainly illegal just by having a throttle

UNLESS their legal department has said that this is dodgy ground for a prosecution and they are better off getting evidence that it goes over 15.5 mph using the throttle on top of everything else

Be nice to know what the cops in the street have been told

The way they're working removes the requirement for a separate test facility.
Faster than the legal cut-off speed and the "bike rider" becomes a moped rider. On an uninsured vehicle, with no licence and in charge of an unregistered vehicle. Easier prove and prosecute for those offences, and removes the moped from the road.

 

[classic33]

A load of bullcrap, you would think they'd know the regulations. As for the 'illegal activities' how does delivering a Pizza become illegal,
TBH these riders do themselves no favours by riding on pavements dressed in black with no lighting.

With some bike manufacturers willing to put a bike through the MVSA to sell it as one that meets the current UK EAPC regulations, with "no licence or insurance required" to use one, it removes the grey area that's been introduced by this.
You still require the insurance, licence and registration for them, despite the claims made.

 

[raleighnut]

and at least some of the people riding will be using the pizza delivery (or whatever) as a cover for "other things"

Utter crap, just 'propaganda' from the 'Daily Fail' etc.

 

[Webbo2]

Utter crap, just 'propaganda' from the 'Daily Fail' etc.

No it isn’t as a mental health worker in Hull 10 or more years ago we were aware from patients you could order your drug of choice with your pizza delivery.

 

[classic33]

Utter crap, just 'propaganda' from the 'Daily Fail' etc.

Victim of an attempted mugging, by an electric bike rider, the week before Christmas here.
Ended up being dragged across two lanes of moving traffic, before being dumped/dropped on the pavement. Driver of the car that just missed us, by stopping, said my feet weren't on the ground.

I don't know if he had hold of me or if we had hold of each other, but I was annoyed he tried to have a go at me.