Licensing of e-bike riders

[Punkawallah]

On top of which

Bike speedomoters - and car ones - are not always 100% accurate

I have heard that there is some leeway if you are stopped and the cut off speed turns out to be slightly over

I have also heard that some companies set their bikes adding the extra and for mine, if they have, then it is not something that is adjustable on Bosch systems

anyone know what the leeway is??

Used to be that analogue speedometers could be up to 13% out. We took it that 10% over the speed limit was not worth stopping someone for.

 

[CXRAndy]

Modern vehicles are better re speedo accuracy.

But they are designed to over read slightly. To compensate for tyre size variations

I see about 1-2mph on our newer vehicles and 3-4mph on the older one we have

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Modern vehicles are better re speedo accuracy.

But they are designed to over read slightly. To compensate for tyre size variations

I see about 1-2mph on our newer vehicles and 3-4mph on the older one we have

That makes sense
our old car always flashed up at 27 mph on the speed thing on the road by us
the new one varies between 28 and 29
all when I am making sure the speedo is showing 30

 

[classic33]

That makes sense
our old car always flashed up at 27 mph on the speed thing on the road by us
the new one varies between 28 and 29
all when I am making sure the speedo is showing 30

Pedal cycles don't require speedometers.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Pedal cycles don't require speedometers.

Mine has - OK, it is an ebike but out of the 4 I have had this is the first with one that is part of the whole system

I have another separate one on the folder which worked perfectly well

 

[Dadam]

Pedal cycles don't require speedometers.

No, but electric assisted ones do need a speed sensor, though not necessarily a display, to manage the motor cutoff.

 

[Alex321]

The clue is in how the UK regulations are worded. Electric Assisted Pedal Cycles(EAPC's).
It's why some companies will put their bikes, before delivery to you, through the MVSA to allow what you're trying to describe.

Check what a pedal cycle is, under UK regulations. Remove the pedals and it's no longer a pedal cycle.

I never suggested it might be.

And the law requires pedals by which it can be propelled. And that the motor only operate when the rider is pedalling.

The title of the regulation may be a "clue", but is actually irrelevant, it is what the text says that matters.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I never suggested it might be.

And the law requires pedals by which it can be propelled. And that the motor only operate when the rider is pedalling.

The title of the regulation may be a "clue", but is actually irrelevant, it is what the text says that matters.

Which bit of text says that?
that is the bit I am missing

 

[Alex321]

Which bit of text says that?
that is the bit I am missing

The bit I linked here https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/licensing-of-e-bike-riders.309545/post-7568528

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

And just where in those regulations does it say that?

The regulations say that it must be capable of being propelled by the pedals. And that the motor must not operate above 15.5mph.

I can't see anywhere it says the pedals must be the main source of propulsion, nor anywhere it says the bike cannot have a throttle.

Since posting above, I have found the legislation which says that power must cut out when the rider is not pedalling
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2013/168
Article 2, para 2(h)

But still nothing saying the pedals must be the primary source of propulsion, or that a throttle cannot be used at any speed (up to 15.5mph).

Thanks - that was the bit I was missing

It does say "where the output of the motor is cut off when the cyclist stops pedalling" which COULD be said to mean that a throttle cannot be used unless the rider is pedalling as well
maybe

 

[fossyant]

My BIL has a 'legal' throttled ebike. It has the necessary DVLA documentation (it's a UK sold bike and each one is 'tested'). It's limited to 15.5, but he doesn't have to pedal. It's a folder.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

AT the moment I don;t want a throttle - used to have one on the old pre-201 one and it was useful at times
but I am happy without one

However, if my mobility and general health drops a bit - I would rather have a "bike like thing" before I have to go as far as a mobility scooter
i.e. as a first stage with the possibility of pedalling if I want to/get a bit better

and people who already have an ebike - then it makes sense if they can be fitted easily
(not sure my Bosch system would accept it but whatever!)

I did see something about "somewhere down South" where they are letting people use bikes in a "No Cycling" area if they are using it as a mobility device
which sounds good - no idea how they plan to enforce it!!

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

Related report (apologies if already posted here or in a different thread)

Amsterdam prepares to ‘ban the fatbikes’ amid rise in serious accidents
But after a marked rise in accidents – particularly involving children – these vehicles the Dutch call “fatbikes” are to be banned in some parts of the Netherlands.
...

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Related report (apologies if already posted here or in a different thread)

Fatbikes can certainly be quite heavy, my Voodoo Wazoo as supplied was ~16Kg, but I was regularly riding it at just over 10Kg for a few years with FatNotFat 29er wheels fitted.

With a chunky homebrew motor and battery fitted, they could easily be ~25Kg+.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Related report (apologies if already posted here or in a different thread)

reading it makes it sound like maybe it is the "modified" ones that are the problem

i.e. ones that are already illegal

it is just easier to identify the ones with big wheels

problem is that some people might have bought a "fat bike" because it is more comfortable and never cause a problem