That's cheating!

[Vigilies]

There I was near the end of my commute home from work and I do the shoulder check to turn right up the track towards home very early as it's a fast road.
I become aware of another bike behind.
Shoulder checking again a second or two later and I see this elderly chap on an MTB with full panniers coming sailing past at what seems twice my speed.
One double take later I see the large rear hub and hear the faint whine of an electrically assisted cycle.
The old chap says a cheery "evening" and sails off into the distance.......NOT PEDALLING!

A much chastened Vigilies makes the right turn and wobbles off up the track towards home.

 

[ianrauk]

I have learnt to not to try race an electric assisted bike up the 1 mile climb I have on my commute home..

 

[Headgardener]

If you don't pedal the assist doesn't work but I must admit never try racing one as you'll only lose.

 

[biggs682]

quite often see one on my commute i can say for sure no pedal action as the gent just sits there fag in 1 hand with no leg movement

 

[Hacienda71]

I have passed them and they don't seem to be doing much more than 15 mph. Although they do suprise you a bit when you are chasing a 70 year old up a hill until you realise they have a bit of help.

 

[bicyclos]

You would pass them when the battery runs out which would not be a great distance..............

 

[HovR]

If you don't pedal the assist doesn't work but I must admit never try racing one as you'll only lose.

It depends on the type of assist. There is also a "Throttle" style assist which doesn't require you to pedal. In some countries these are illegal to operate without being treated as a motorbike, although in England I believe they are still allowed unlicensed as long as they meet certain regulations. (Max speed?)

 

[Herzog]

Are they not listed to something like 15 mph?

Over here (Switzerland) they're limited to 50 kph; though they must have a number plate if they can go this fast.

There's a load of them on my commute, I occasionally overtake one, but it's usually the other way round. I had a go on one a couple of weeks ago and it was really good fun. I woudn't consider buying one though, it's not real...

 

[fossyant]

Only see one on my commute, the rider seems very relaxed climbing a hill - where I am out of the saddle man handling a 77" gear up it. I'm still faster though. If I ever get caught by one, it's time to hang up the wheels

 

[John the Monkey]

They're hugely popular in Crewe, which is odd, as it's a pretty flat place, mostly.

 

[Arch]

It depends on the type of assist. There is also a "Throttle" style assist which doesn't require you to pedal. In some countries these are illegal to operate without being treated as a motorbike, although in England I believe they are still allowed unlicensed as long as they meet certain regulations. (Max speed?)

European regs insist on pedalling for the assistance to work. Here in UK, the throttle only type are still legal, although it's likely we will come into line with Europe eventally - but it's unlikely to be retrospective, so bikes bought when legal will stay legal.

The limits are on wattage, weight and speed. Max 250W, 40kg and assistance must cut out at 15.5mph. Of course you can go faster on one, if you can pedal it faster, the limit only applies to the assistance. And they must have working pedals attached, even if capable of being throttle driven. Plus all the usual bike stuff like reflectors, two brakes etc...

Anything that gets, or keeps, folk on two wheels instead of in a car is a good thing I reckon. 'Cheating' only applies if you think life is a race.

A shameless plug for anyone who wants to know more:

http://www.electricbikemag.co.uk/index.php

 

[Kestevan]

I once tried to chase down some old fella, wearing a big overcoat and riding a "sit up and beg" jobbie up the final 1.5 mile drag on the way home. It took bloody ages to catch him, and it was only as I pulled up to his back wheel I noticed the motor.

Had to sit back for a minute to put my lungs back in before passing with a cheery "Evenin"

 

[Browser]

ISTR the Sinclair C5 was similarly limited to 15 mph so it didn't fall into the category of vehicle which needed lights/indicators/MOT etc.

 

[Twanger]

Wouldn't it be nice if everything in cities was limited to 15 mph.....

 

[thnurg]

It's only cheating if the elderly gentleman broke the rules. Did he agree to be bound by any rules that have been flouted by riding an electrically assisted bike?

Thought not.