Strange bike

[vernon]

The other week I came across a motorised bike that used one of the DIY conversion kits off EBay. I asked the owner of it was legal and he insisted that it was. He claimed that it does around 25 miles on a pound's worth of petrol and that he's done 60 mph.

I have my doubts.....

 

[ASC1951]

... I asked the owner of it was legal and he insisted that it was. ...

I have my doubts.....

So do I. I reckon it has to be registered at DVLA and display lights, a number plate and an (exempt) tax disc. To ride it you would need a helmet and a driving licence.

 

[dellzeqq]

what's the score with electric bikes?

 

[Adam G]

Legal

It is quite a common question if the electric bikes are legal. So in order to comply with all the regulations and avoid the registration with DVLA the e-bikes have to comply with the following:
1. The average output power can not exceed 200W (UK) and 250W (EU)
2. The motor must not work when cyclist is not pedalling
3. The motor should cut the current when reaches 25 km/h (15.5 mph)
4. In the UK the total weight of the bicycle can not exceed 40kg including the batteries
5. Bikes have to comply with the current UK's pedal cycle standard

6. The current of the motor must be cut out automatically when brake levers are pulled.

source

 

[ASC1951]

what's the score with electric bikes?

They are ok, within power etc limits https://www.gov.uk/electric-bike-rules

 

[Adam G]

So based on just no.2 & no.6 (since the rest are unknown to us) I bet the bike is not legal.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Is it powered by Coca-Cola then?

 

[Puddles]

what's the score with electric bikes?

From here http://www.electricbicycles.co.uk/uk-laws.php

The Department for Transport has a fact sheet covering the main legal issues surrounding electric bikes or "Electrically assisted pedal cycles" to use the correct term.
Anyone driving a motor vehicle in the UK is, for example, obliged to register the vehicle, pay road tax and get appropriate insurance. An electric bike is NOT considered a motor vehicle, provided it meets certain criteria:

• pedals are present (which must be capable of propelling the bike)
• the motor power comes from an electric motor only (no petrol-driven alternatives)
• the motor ceases to provide pedalling assistance once the bike's speed exceeds 15mph (you can go faster, of course, but only using pedal power!)
• the weight of the bike is less than 40kg* (without the rider, but including the battery)
• the motor's power output is no more than 200W**

*60kg for tricycles or tandems
**250W for tricycles or tandems
Additional legal requirements for using an electric bike are:

• you must be at least 14 years old
• the bike must have independent front and rear wheel braking systems
• the battery must not be leaking when in road use
• the bike must display a plate giving the name of the manufacturer, battery voltage and motor power output
• the switch controlling the power should default automatically to "off". This means the rider must always have their "finger on the button", otherwise the bike reverts to pedal power only.

As it says "no petrol driven alternatives" I would question the motorised petrol bikes legality too

 

[byegad]

Totally illegal. C&U regs will explain the very many points it fails to meet. He's liable for a selection of offences, including no Road Tax, No insurance, No number plates, No helmet,.....etc.etc.etc.

 

[Shaun]

Not sure I'd want my bare legs too close to the cylinder head - was he pointing his knees out towards east and west when he set off?

As to the legal status of it, I'm leaning way over on the not side.

 

[Beebo]

Of course it's illegal.
And very unsafe I bet.
The bike isnt designed to take those sort of stresses. The chain, wheels and forks etc etc etc simply won't be tested to withstand that sort of abuse.

 

[Adam G]

.

 

[tyred]

I doubt the 60mph part unless it was down a really steep hill.

 

[fossyant]

Illegal.

Don't like the look of the rear mech - have you seen the cage !

 

[vernon]

Now this "assistance" engine is more like it.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SgDXGHBt44&feature=youtube_gdata_player

A good vindaloo will give me all of the jet assist that I need.