Pedelecs up to 25 km/h (16 mph) and a motor no more than 250 Watts
rated output are considered bicycles. Type approval is not required.
Applicable November 9, 2003 in all EU Member States.
The law appertaining to electricbikes is more than a little
confusing. British law does not coincide with European Law and each
European country has its own set of rules and regulations regarding
bicycles. UK law will eventually give way to the European version,
during 2009 we believe all will become clear.
To remain exempt from motor vehicle legislation, an electric bicycle must comply with the following:
Power and speed
Maximum rated motor power 250w
No later than November 9, 2003, Great Britain must conform to the
EU-directive: Pedelecs may have a 250 watt motor and be able to reach a
top speed of 15.5 mph, and still be classified as a bicycle.
Maximum speed under power 15.5mph (25kph)
Assistance
In most of Europe the motor can only legally work when the pedals are
turning, in the UK this is not the case until full EC regulations come
into force.
Throttle control
Throttles operating independently of the pedals, enabling a bike to be
ridden on power only are legal in the UK under the 1982 EAPC
regulations. They are illegal under EU regulations in mainland Europe
which are intended to have full force in the UK at some future point.
Throttles operating under the dictates of pedelec control, only
permitting regulation of power while pedalling, are legal everywhere in
Europe and the UK.
This is the relevant paragraph from the EU regulations and nowhere within the regulations are throttles mentioned:
"(h) cycles with pedal assistance which are equipped with an auxiliaryelectric motor having a maximum continuous rated power of 0,25 kW, of
which the output is progressively reduced and finally cut off as the
vehicle reaches a speed of 25 km/h, or sooner, if the cyclist stops
pedalling."
So as our motor conforms to the 250 watts limit and cuts off as
required, the throttle is just a safety device to limit power where the
normal amount given by a pedal rotation could be unsafe.
Weight
Maximum weight 40 kilos or 60kg for a tandem or tricycle.
Cycle standards
All bikes must comply with existing pedal cycle standards.
Legal Age
You must be at least 14 years old to ride an electric bike.
Brakes
The power to the motor must be cut automatically when the brakes are applied
Battery technology, insurance and certification
We only use Lithium batteries to ensure maximum performance and safety
to our customers. Our batteries with matched management systems and
chargers are made by one of the finest electronics manufacturers in the
world with an estimated annual turnover this year in access of
£100,000,000. All our batteries carry worldwide public liability
insurance of $5,000,000 against personal injury; copies of the
insurance policies are available on request.
All electronic components have the UL (Underwriters Laboratories Inc.)
mark, the ETS (Electric Technology Systems Dr. Genz GMBH) Certificate
of Conformity and the CE Certificate of Conformity.
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Eu-Directive regulating pedelecs states