I often get the impression from posts that members think our UK/EU laws are tough and that there's a free-for-all in many other places. As the following will show, nothing could be further from the truth, and that includes much of the USA as seen further down.
Mainland Europe of course has a single standard which all but Germany strictly follow, and where Germany diverges, additional restrictions apply like registration, insurance and number plate. Many other places roughly follow EU law, Japan's is similar but very much tougher. China has said it will but is delaying implementation to get a smoother transition. Australia has a 200 watt limit and the State of Victoria intends to introduce EU pedelec only law. Malaya has announced that it is banning e-bikes, something which has happened in some Chinese cities and city areas.
The videos seen from the USA of 1500 watt or greater e-bikes doing amazing things are mostly off-road or on remote tracks, since nowhere in the USA is more than 1000 watts permitted. Federal law says 750 watts and 20 mph assist, so what? My legally bought and operated e-bike peaks at 1000 watts, and it's the second I've owned like it. US states can pass their own laws but none have gone above 1000 watts or 30 mph and most states stick to federal law. There are 50 states plus Washington DC, which is a federal district.
First the bits where the US state laws are easier, States can appear in more than one section, both easier and stricter:
These 8 states permit 1000 watts:
California, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Washington DC.
These 2 states permit 25 mph assist:
Louisiana, Pennsylvania.
These 2 states permit 30 mph assist:
Connecticut, Idaho.
N.B. None of these higher speed and 1000 watt states coincide. Perverse indeed.
Now for the bad news!!
These 2 states have totally banned e-bikes and refuse to register them as well:
Illinois, New York State.
These 8 states require a moped licence or some form of drivers licence:
Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Tennessee.
These 3 states require e-bike registration:
Michigan, North Dakota, Pennsylvania.
These 3 states require helmet wearing:
Tennessee, Washington, Massachusetts for under 16s on any bicycle
North Dakota requires insurance, plus vehicle inspection before going on the road.
Nevada requires full lights and mirror fitted.
Virginia requires compliance with motor vehicle laws when on road.
So there you are, the grass on the other side isn't quite as green as I bet many of you thought previously. The UK and Europe aren't so bad for e-biking after all, and if the European parliament recommendation for complete removal of power limits comes about, there will be many other countries getting jealous of us!
.
Mainland Europe of course has a single standard which all but Germany strictly follow, and where Germany diverges, additional restrictions apply like registration, insurance and number plate. Many other places roughly follow EU law, Japan's is similar but very much tougher. China has said it will but is delaying implementation to get a smoother transition. Australia has a 200 watt limit and the State of Victoria intends to introduce EU pedelec only law. Malaya has announced that it is banning e-bikes, something which has happened in some Chinese cities and city areas.
The videos seen from the USA of 1500 watt or greater e-bikes doing amazing things are mostly off-road or on remote tracks, since nowhere in the USA is more than 1000 watts permitted. Federal law says 750 watts and 20 mph assist, so what? My legally bought and operated e-bike peaks at 1000 watts, and it's the second I've owned like it. US states can pass their own laws but none have gone above 1000 watts or 30 mph and most states stick to federal law. There are 50 states plus Washington DC, which is a federal district.
First the bits where the US state laws are easier, States can appear in more than one section, both easier and stricter:
These 8 states permit 1000 watts:
California, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Washington DC.
These 2 states permit 25 mph assist:
Louisiana, Pennsylvania.
These 2 states permit 30 mph assist:
Connecticut, Idaho.
N.B. None of these higher speed and 1000 watt states coincide. Perverse indeed.
Now for the bad news!!
These 2 states have totally banned e-bikes and refuse to register them as well:
Illinois, New York State.
These 8 states require a moped licence or some form of drivers licence:
Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Tennessee.
These 3 states require e-bike registration:
Michigan, North Dakota, Pennsylvania.
These 3 states require helmet wearing:
Tennessee, Washington, Massachusetts for under 16s on any bicycle
North Dakota requires insurance, plus vehicle inspection before going on the road.
Nevada requires full lights and mirror fitted.
Virginia requires compliance with motor vehicle laws when on road.
So there you are, the grass on the other side isn't quite as green as I bet many of you thought previously. The UK and Europe aren't so bad for e-biking after all, and if the European parliament recommendation for complete removal of power limits comes about, there will be many other countries getting jealous of us!
.
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