Electric bicycle, months of research and 300 miles in, I made the perfect electric bike decision

NBLondon

Interesting. What does the seller of the kit say about the legality of on-road use? It seems they are suggesting that the kit is legal for off-road use (on a mountain bike) and the limiter makes it on-road legal. The problem with that is that the limiter can be switched off at will. Even if the OP is being scrupulous about keeping it switched on while on a public road and then letting rip when off-road - others won't. What about e.g. towpaths? or BOATs? Does the limiter have to be engaged there?

I'd say it was reasonable for a supplier to make a bike that is capable of over 15.5mph/250w and it would only be road legal with a limiter if that limiter was not user accessible. If the user then bypasses it - they are the ones committing an offence.

lazer-zxr

Let's encourage the sale of all E-Bikes, to reduce the number of cars on the road and save money. I have genuinely been suprised how much of a car replacement this has been.

Mr_Singleton

Love the posts about the legal issues especially as EVERYBODY knows that cyclist aren't subject to any laws. Cycling through red lights, on the pavement, no lights etc etc etc why should an illegal engine be an issue??

pogofish

In that case it would be considered a motorcycle - and any legit rider with some time under their belt can tell you about just how pernickety the police can be when they see an easy target and get the chance to flex the more obscure sections of the RTA/construction and use regs..!

And one of my friends was the poor sod who got hit for one of the test cases for those motorised scooters that were all the rage a few years back and left court with a range of fairly hefty fines and enough points to make insurance and driving in general very difficult/expensive for the next few years - although the more preposterous charges of high speed chases etc were thrown out of court, along with an utterly incompetent mechanical “evaluation” and an attempt to illegally take possession of the machine.

Fiona_CW

"PLEASE NOTE 1500W VERSION OF THIS KIT IS FOR OFF ROAD USE ONLY" - even the manufacturer says this!

Norman_Castle

Mr_Singleton wrote: »

Love the posts about the legal issues especially as EVERYBODY knows that cyclist aren't subject to any laws. Cycling through red lights, on the pavement, no lights etc etc etc why should an illegal engine be an issue??

EVERYBODY knows some people will boringly condemn cyclist whatever they do.

KeithP

lazer-zxr, for a different response, try here:

www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/forums/electric-bike-general-discussion

parking_question_chap

Highly doubt the rozzers will be randomly testing the power of E bikes at the moment but all the same, dont do any high speeds in built up areas. Could easily do some serious damage to a pedestrian or fellow cycist and you will be done for an illegal bike. Cant see any issue with topping it out down rural roads though.

Looks class too and so does that RC buggy.

chris_n

It's illegal and will probably only be a problem if you are involved in an accident.
If that does happen you will be charged with driving a motor motor vehicle without insurance and tax, if the accident is your fault you could be charged with dangerous or reckless driving and depending on your current driving licence, driving without a licence.
Up to you to decide on the risk of doing so.

Xbigman

There is a young man who has killed someone on an unrestricted ebike who is being charged with motoring offences. Dangerous driving, causing death whilst uninsured and causing death whilst unlicensed. He will be going to prison.
OK that's pretty dramatic but it is also worth noting that injuring someone whilst on an unrestricted ebike is much more common and even if you don't care about your non existent licence getting points or a fine in the high hundreds of pounds then remember that you'll have no insurance to pay the personal injury claim the victim makes which often adds up to tens of thousands of pounds.

Lets not promote illegal use of Ebikes, lets promote their legal use.

Pedelecs is an unregulated site where they will quite happy tell you how to convert and use an illegal ebike. But that doesn't make it right.

As a final point. The police might not check ebikes but as I found out from a local officer the police are not in fact stupid. He knew what a dongle was and how to spot it. He also knew what (physical) size a 250w motor was. One day they will start checking, and I'll be legal.



Darren