The EU Court of Justice yesterday ruled that e-bikes are actually bikes, not motorbikes, which means e-cyclists aren’t obligated to be insured in the same way as motorists.
I sure would like to read the actual ruling, but from what I see in the article, this applies to pedal assist e-bikes, and wouldn’t apply to e-bikes that have a throttle which is operated by a way other than pedaling (like a thumb or twist throttle). I have to think there’s a maximum speed and/or weight as well, otherwise someone could very easily build a large, heavy, highway-ready “e-bike” that just uses pedaling for the throttle, but is in every other way an electric motorcycle.
Of course EU regulations, contrary to the US, limit pedal-assist bikes to a maximum continuous rated power of no more than 250 W and a speed to 25 km/h before cutting out power, leaving you to rely your legs for more speed.
250W is the EU’s legal limit for continuous power, measured by its heat output over a 30 minute test. So with better cooling you can legally build stronger motors.
My pedelec has a motor that can output 600W, yet is perfectly legal and EU certified.
It is plenty, as long as the torque is sufficient. When mountainbiking I have never felt I would need more power, even on climbs where keeping the front wheel down is tricky. Of course you cannot sustain 25 km/h on steeper hills, but do you even need to?
I can and need to with my American bike with a 45kmh limit and 250/750 peak. I used that bike for a daily 50km commute big hills all the way to the foothill. If it weren’t for that setup I would have had to drive everyday.
Perhaps if Europe stopped getting in their own way over ebike limits more people there could abandon their cars, at least for some of the time?
I sure would like to read the actual ruling, but from what I see in the article, this applies to pedal assist e-bikes, and wouldn’t apply to e-bikes that have a throttle which is operated by a way other than pedaling (like a thumb or twist throttle). I have to think there’s a maximum speed and/or weight as well, otherwise someone could very easily build a large, heavy, highway-ready “e-bike” that just uses pedaling for the throttle, but is in every other way an electric motorcycle.
its the same rules in Australia, but every bike seems to just have a 250W firmware limit that everyone just bypasses and then rides like a dick.
How is that contrary to the US? The US has limits that are higher, not contrary.
250’s pretty low espically for hill climbing
250W is the EU’s legal limit for continuous power, measured by its heat output over a 30 minute test. So with better cooling you can legally build stronger motors.
My pedelec has a motor that can output 600W, yet is perfectly legal and EU certified.
It is plenty, as long as the torque is sufficient. When mountainbiking I have never felt I would need more power, even on climbs where keeping the front wheel down is tricky. Of course you cannot sustain 25 km/h on steeper hills, but do you even need to?
I can and need to with my American bike with a 45kmh limit and 250/750 peak. I used that bike for a daily 50km commute big hills all the way to the foothill. If it weren’t for that setup I would have had to drive everyday.
Perhaps if Europe stopped getting in their own way over ebike limits more people there could abandon their cars, at least for some of the time?
Lol an American criticising Europe for car use…
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