Increase in seizures of illegal ebikes

[Drago]

Technically, and according to the English language, bicycles do indeed have only 2 wheels.

Legally though that does not have to be the case.

Ditto with motorbikes, dependent on the spacing of the wheels on the same axle line.

 

[Alex321]

OK - a walk-assist can be called a throttle which would be legal

It isn't just the walk-assist.

Anything which varies the amount of power being output is a throttle. And it is completely legal so long as it only operates when you are pedaling or in walk assist mode.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

It isn't just the walk-assist.

Anything which varies the amount of power being output is a throttle. And it is completely legal so long as it only operates when you are pedaling or in walk assist mode.

Doesn't the "throttle" (by whatever definition) have maximum speed of about 4 mph??

which is then walk-assist mode
but if it goes faster then it is not legal

or have I got it wrong

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Doesn't the "throttle" (by whatever definition) have maximum speed of about 4 mph??

which is then walk-assist mode
but if it goes faster then it is not legal

or have I got it wrong

Addendum - I believe that the "walk assist" or throttle
can operate when you are pedalling
mine certainly does

BUT it still stops at 3-4 mph
and after that it is just pedal assist up to 15.5 mph

actually mine stops at a random speed up to about 3-4 mph but that is because it is rubbish!

 

[classic33]

Doesn't the "throttle" (by whatever definition) have maximum speed of about 4 mph??

which is then walk-assist mode
but if it goes faster then it is not legal

or have I got it wrong

There's "grandfather rights" on a throttle being fitted on bikes converted before the new regulations came into effect.
However, as you've previously mentioned the motor assistance was lower as was the top speed available.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

There's "grandfather rights" on a throttle being fitted on bikes converted before the new regulations came into effect.
However, as you've previously mentioned the motor assistance was lower as was the top speed available.

Yes - 200W maximum rather than 250W now
how this is measured is unclear
but my old bike was pre-2016 and the difference between that and a modern machine was obvious
but then - tech from 2010 or earlier v. modern tech was also a factor

 

[Dogtrousers]

When conducting tests, the police must always have in attendance (a) a qualified vehicle examiner and (b) a representative of Cyclechat who will stand behind them saying "well, actually..."

 

[presta]

Mopeds and motorcycles DO have a formal definition. Where electrically powered the informal term is e-moto.

We know what EAPCs are. The informal term there is ebike.

it's doesn't seem difficult to anyone except the media, MPs, and needlessly contrary pedants.

Having spent years on Twitter arguing with those who blame cyclists for what motorcyclists do, I can assure you that an e-bike is 'any vehicle with two wheels and an electric motor'. Furthermore, a cyclist is 'anyone riding something with pedals', and a pedal cycle is 'anything with pedals', regardless of whether it has a motor, or whether that motor meets the EAPC criteria. If you don't mind cyclists getting the blame for what illegal motorcyclists do, then there's no need to make any fuss.

I'm sure it doesn't help.

But it is no use us complaining about it here, because it is the norm, whether we like it or not.

The best places to direct complaints are the media and police, then hopefully where they go the rest will follow. I've noticed that the BBC seem a bit more careful about terminology of late.

Yes - 200W maximum rather than 250W now
how this is measured is unclear

Dunno about 200W, but the current standard for measuring EAPC power is specified in the EAPC legislation, I posted it on here once.

 

[classic33]

Yes - 200W maximum rather than 250W now
how this is measured is unclear
but my old bike was pre-2016 and the difference between that and a modern machine was obvious
but then - tech from 2010 or earlier v. modern tech was also a factor

Dunno about 200W, but the current standard for measuring EAPC power is specified in the EAPC legislation, I posted it on here once.

He was talking about one which predates the current regulations.
Assist speed was lower, as was the motor power.

Present regulations apply across Europe, bringing all areas under the same limits.
The UK deciding to go with the lower limits, partially to prevent having to license, insure the cycle and rider.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Having spent years on Twitter arguing with those who blame cyclists for what motorcyclists do, I can assure you that an e-bike is 'any vehicle with two wheels and an electric motor'. Furthermore, a cyclist is 'anyone riding something with pedals', and a pedal cycle is 'anything with pedals', regardless of whether it has a motor, or whether that motor meets the EAPC criteria. If you don't mind cyclists getting the blame for what illegal motorcyclists do, then there's no need to make any fuss.


The best places to direct complaints are the media and police, then hopefully where they go the rest will follow. I've noticed that the BBC seem a bit more careful about terminology of late.


Dunno about 200W, but the current standard for measuring EAPC power is specified in the EAPC legislation, I posted it on here once.

definition is
have an electric motor with a maximum continuous rated power not exceeding 250 watts

I have read from people who know about such things that it is the "maximum continuous rated power" that is the problem with measurement
The motor can deliver a lot more than this for a short period but not continuously

which contains a few wolley words than can be manipulated - such as "short period"

He was talking about one which predates the current regulations.
Assist speed was lower, as was the motor power.

Present regulations apply across Europe, bringing all areas under the same limits.
The UK deciding to go with the lower limits, partially to prevent having to license, insure the cycle and rider.

I wasn;t aware of the assist speed being lower
power - yes - but not speed
I am pretty sure my old bike went up to 15.5 (ish) under assist power before it cut out as I got a speedo for it
I got that second-hand - sorry, pre-loved - in 2011 so pre 2016 regs

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Debate in Westminster Hall today on the subject of ebikes/emootorbike/e-motos/e-cycles and whatever otehr names there are out there for the various machines

https://hansard.parliament.uk/commo...1-5ADFE1FBD554/E-ScootersAndE-BikesRegulation

LONG read but it does go through all the problems

seems to be a few things moving slowly forward

including something or other about how and where they can be sold

and how responsible the food place is for how the delivery rider gets the food to the customer

lots of times where people use the word e-bike to mean one thing when they should maybe have used a different word

but at least "they" are talking about it