Electric bikes 15.5mph powered top speed?

BillScarab

Wig wrote: »

Lazy people and those who are genuinely not able bodied due to age or ill health or disability.

And I agree with Adrian, even those who are able bodied but who are unfit, could (if they could afford it) use this as an introductory aid into the world of cycling, they would eventually become more fit, and be able to convert to an ordinary bike.

Have you got a link Adrian?

Also, Adrian said "regulations" apply. It was previously the case that electric scooters were in the news about which laws applied, did they need insurance, and drivers licence and not to be ridden on the pavement and such. Chris Eubank was prosecuted for riding one - without crash helmet and registration plates.

So, I'm wondering if these bikes require insurance, crash helmet, registration with DVLA... and if these regulations are new or have they been with us for a long time, are they for example the regulations that apply to mobility chairs?

You don't need helmet, insurance etc. becuase they are limited to 15mph. I believe if you had one that went faster then you would. Personally I doubt if you will improve your fitness with one of these as the temptation to use the motor assistance will be so storng, especially if you try pedalling one with no assistance. I have to admit havving looked at the details of the model Adrian mentioned in his first post it does seem to be one fo the better electric bikes but for commuting 14.2 miles (is that each way) I would get a scooter. If I've misread it and it's 14.2 miles round trip get a normal bike. You'll do it easily and your fitness will improve rapidly.

BillScarab

Wig wrote: »

Here's an electric scooter £5K (VAT not mentioned) 60mph
http://www.nicecarcompany.co.uk/vectrixbike/vectrix_96.html

And £4,700 30mph
http://www.nicecarcompany.co.uk/vectrixbike/oxygen-scooter_97.html

And £2,850 OTR presumably inc VAT
http://www.nicecarcompany.co.uk/vectrixbike/e-max-scooter_95.html

I'd like to know why there is even any VAT on these things! The damned government doesn't know how to encourage green.

I'd also like to know how much a replacement battery is?

I like the look of those, that Vectrix would even be suitable for my 40 miles a day commute. I'd like to see the figures for the range when cruising at 50mph though.

AdrianHi

Wig wrote: »

Here's an electric scooter £5K (VAT not mentioned) 60mph
http://www.nicecarcompany.co.uk/vectrixbike/vectrix_96.html

And £4,700 30mph
http://www.nicecarcompany.co.uk/vectrixbike/oxygen-scooter_97.html

And £2,850 OTR presumably inc VAT
http://www.nicecarcompany.co.uk/vectrixbike/e-max-scooter_95.html

I'd like to know why there is even any VAT on these things! The damned government doesn't know how to encourage green. Mind you, they really aren't so green as the energy used to make them esp the batteries is apparently quite severe.

I'd also like to know how much a replacement battery is?

Hadn't really looked properly at electric scooters, but this lot are pretty impressive.
I like the first one especially, I'm guessing the £5K is Ex-VAT. Batteries like this are probably good for 500 recharges (the bike I've been talking about specifies this) which is probably good for a couple of years on a daily commute.

thescouselander

Far from being for lazy people, I think these things are and excellent idea. I occasionally ride my bike to work but I get quite hot and sweaty. Luckily we have shower facilities here so its not too much of an issue but if I worked somewhere without shower facilities I wouldn't bother.

The electric bike could be the answer making cycling practical and eliminating the need for a shower on reaching your destination.

Wig

Here's a fairly indepth account of the Eubank incident.
http://archive.theargus.co.uk/2001/3/26/180793.html

It seems the conditional discharge was for not using a helmet (the scooter was a 15mph one), the registration plate charge appears to have been dropped. It would therefore appear that a helmet would be required for the OPs electric bicycle.

The laws need to be clarified on these things. If they are not already.

AdrianHi

BillScarab wrote: »

You don't need helmet, insurance etc. becuase they are limited to 15mph. I believe if you had one that went faster then you would. Personally I doubt if you will improve your fitness with one of these as the temptation to use the motor assistance will be so storng, especially if you try pedalling one with no assistance. I have to admit havving looked at the details of the model Adrian mentioned in his first post it does seem to be one fo the better electric bikes but for commuting 14.2 miles (is that each way) I would get a scooter. If I've misread it and it's 14.2 miles round trip get a normal bike. You'll do it easily and your fitness will improve rapidly.

Yes this is correct, 15.5mph (a whole number of km/h) powered limit means 14 year olds can use them and you don't need any licences, insurances or crash helmets.
You can buy a smaller back cog which you would have to fit yourself which would give you 17-18mph assisted (shhhh! don't tell anyone :rotfl:).
My 14.2 miles is each way so 28 miles round trip, I change work location usually at least twice a year so could be doing up to 35 miles where I would have to consider electric scooter or driving to near the destination town and getting the electric bike off the back of the car.
The bike I've been talking about is here:
http://www.50cycles.com/pro-connect-spec.shtml
and you can hire one for 1 or 2 hours in Richmond park London and get your rental payment back as a discount if you decide to buy. You can also buy it on the government cycle to work scheme if your employer supports it, which means you can buy it (or any bike) completely tax free, no VAT, no PAYE, no personal NI and no company NI. It works by leasing the bike for 18 months and then buying it at the end for one more monthly payment.

I'm going to talk to my wife about the 62mph scooter since it gives me a greater range and shorter travelling time where ever I might have to go. I doubt I will get her blessing thought the electric bike would be no problem.

Wig

BillScarab wrote: »

I like the look of those, that Vectrix would even be suitable for my 40 miles a day commute. I'd like to see the figures for the range when cruising at 50mph though.

Yeah, the datasheet gives a range of 68 miles @ 25mph. It's a pity they are not very open about all the statistics. Says the battery is a NiMh and has a life of 1,700 cycles.

Wig

AdrianHi wrote: »

Yes this is correct, 15.5mph (a whole number of km/h) powered limit means 14 year olds can use them and you don't need any licences, insurances or crash helmets.

But this contradicts the Eubank case.

You need to know how much a new battery will cost before you buy.

BillScarab

AdrianHi wrote: »

Yes this is correct, 15.5mph (a whole number of km/h) powered limit means 14 year olds can use them and you don't need any licences, insurances or crash helmets.
You can buy a smaller back cog which you would have to fit yourself which would give you 17-18mph assisted (shhhh! don't tell anyone :rotfl:).
My 14.2 miles is each way so 28 miles round trip, I change work location usually at least twice a year so could be doing up to 35 miles where I would have to consider electric scooter or driving to near the destination town and getting the electric bike off the back of the car.
The bike I've been talking about is here:
http://www.50cycles.com/pro-connect-spec.shtml
and you can hire one for 1 or 2 hours in Richmond park London and get your rental payment back as a discount if you decide to buy. You can also buy it on the government cycle to work scheme if your employer supports it, which means you can buy it (or any bike) completely tax free, no VAT, no PAYE, no personal NI and no company NI. It works by leasing the bike for 18 months and then buying it at the end for one more monthly payment.

I'm going to talk to my wife about the 62mph scooter since it gives me a greater range and shorter travelling time where ever I might have to go. I doubt I will get her blessing thought the electric bike would be no problem.

For a 28 mile commute and possibly a 35 mile commute the cheaper e-max scooter would probably be sufficient. It's alot cheaper too at £2850 on the road. It does 30 mph and has a maximum range of 55-60 miles.

Good review of the Vectrix here

BillScarab

I just found these as well, Verde electric scooters. The 3000 model seems to offer similar perfomrance to the Vectrix, I can't find any prices though although I did see one comment that it costs 5500 euros so a bit cheaper.

One good thing about the electric scooters is they look like and are just as practical as the petrol equivalents.