BEBA UK Survey Results: Executive Summary

[BAH48]

"There is one alive and well owned by an old English guy in Spain..had a chat with him last winter..paid £120 for it and it just runs and runs... far less noise then these annoying 50cc scooters...a more sedate fut fut type tone..very pleasant mode of transport lol "

They were very good, if a bit on the slow side - mine came with me to Alicante (Campello) and it was amazing how well it climbed hills. I did see a few around down there between 2002 - 06.

 

[eddieo]

"There is one alive and well owned by an old English guy in Spain..had a chat with him last winter..paid £120 for it and it just runs and runs... far less noise then these annoying 50cc scooters...a more sedate fut fut type tone..very pleasant mode of transport lol "

They were very good, if a bit on the slow side - mine came with me to Alicante (Campello) and it was amazing how well it climbed hills. I did see a few around down there between 2002 - 06.

maybe its your old one...it is in Benidorm

they are treated like e bikes in Spain, no tax, insurance etc...we are so behind and over legislated in his country!

 

[BAH48]

That bike ended up in Newcastle as far as I know.
Lots of good cycling in the hills round Benidorm, quiet, traffic free roads. Great place for an electric bike. 10 years later, my cycling legs aren't what they were.

 

[eddieo]

hope to be back there in new year for a few months..all being well. Love the place!

 

[BAH48]

I got to know it quite well - good s/h market every week, interesting bars - one place had beer on tap at each table. Fantastic walk over the cliffs to Albir. Happy days!

 

[Wisper Bikes]

BEBA are not arguing that electric all bikes should be fitted with a throttle, BEBA are arguing for freedom of choice for both the rider and manufacturer, if the market does not demand throttles they will quickly become obsolete. So why the fuss?

Electric bikes in Europe can be fitted with a throttle that works when the pedals are simply being turned forward and in most countries a 6kph limit is set before the pedals need to be turned at all.

As well as being a very useful facillity to a lot of people, a throttle is an invaluable safety feature enabling riders to pull out at junctions and hill start without worrying about the extra 10kg+ that the e-system adds to the bike.

With superb hydraulic brake systems with cut outs and new hub motors that will accept a cassette now on the market, there is no need for compromise if one wants to pay a little more.

I believe the drive to ban the throttle is commercially driven, being led by the European manufacturers who don't sell throttle enabled bikes, supported by some of the big crank drive suppliers who have not yet added a throttle facility. In turn these people have influenced the BA who are arguing anti choice.

It is clear from the sample of 355 pedelec and e bike riders that there is a demand for independent throttle, but as yet I have not heard a reasonable argument to take the freedom of choice away from the rider.

I am off now to the meeting, but it is a bit of a David and Goliath battle and TBH I am not confident that BEBA will win the day. BEBA are not anti bikes without throttles demonstrated by most of us having such bikes in our range however we are 100% pro freedom of choice and in favour of leaving the decision where of course it should be..... in the hands of the electric bike buying public.

All the best

David

 

[Geebee]

"I have not heard a reasonable argument to take the freedom of choice away from the rider"

Well you could argue that not having a throttle makes it more bike like, in that you have to pedal.
Where as a throttle makes it more like a motorbike not a bicycle.
I personally don't care as I just don't use the throttle if fitted.

 

[Old_Dave]

God speed and good luck David

 

[Deleted member 4366]

"I have not heard a reasonable argument to take the freedom of choice away from the rider"

Well you could argue that not having a throttle makes it more bike like, in that you have to pedal.
Where as a throttle makes it more like a motorbike not a bicycle.
I personally don't care as I just don't use the throttle if fitted.

I can't understand why people would want to make their ebike more like an unassisted bike. Anybody that has that idea in their head can achieve their goals by removing all the electrical stuff and then they'll have an e-bike exactly like a normal bike!

To me, the point of an ebike is that it it should be easier and more convenient than a non-assisted bike, and the more that can be achieved, the better.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Hi Geebee, that is a valid argument and I think the main force of the comments for the anti choice guys. As long as the bike is limited to 15mph and has strict power and weight restrictions the throttle does not harm anyone and is a boon to those who need it.

Thanks Dave!

All the best

David

 

[Wisper Bikes]

I can't understand why people would want to make their ebike more like an unassisted bike. Anybody that has that idea in their head can achieve their goals by removing all the electrical stuff and then they'll have an e-bike exactly like a normal bike!

To me, the point of an ebike is that it it should be easier and more convenient than a non-assisted bike, and the more that can be achieved, the better.

Great point! I will use it today.

All the best

David

I'm off!

 

[timidtom]

For some of us a throttle is essential: it's serves as an anti-wobble device when starting off - I really don't fancy a wobbly start from some of the bust traffic points here in Warirngton! The high physical effort associated with hill starts is eased by use of a throttle. No throttle = no cycling. I do not require an electric motor bike, I just want to be able to continue cycling as long as my little legs will turn the pedals!
Best wishes, and may the e-wind be ever at your back!
Tom

 

[eddieo]

I am sure David and Mark are having a few wobbles themselves in the houses of commons (cheap) bar..

 

[neptune]

Godspeed must legally be limited to 15 MPH...

 

[flecc]

The high physical effort associated with hill starts is eased by use of a throttle.

The better torque sensor crank drives have no problem with this. The Panasonic units I'm most familiar with have maximum climb power available from a standstill and I've never had any hill start problem with them. In contrast only one of the legal hub motor and throttle bikes I've known has easily coped with even the 14% outside my home, and on steeper they are mostly little help for steep hill standing starts.

 

[eddieo]

Yep my crank drive far easier to start on any hill then my hub motor bike

 

[GaRRy]

For some of us a throttle is essential: it's serves as an anti-wobble device when starting off - I really don't fancy a wobbly start from some of the bust traffic points here in Warirngton! The high physical effort associated with hill starts is eased by use of a throttle. No throttle = no cycling. I do not require an electric motor bike, I just want to be able to continue cycling as long as my little legs will turn the pedals!
Best wishes, and may the e-wind be ever at your back!
Tom

Fully agree with keeping throttles for those that like them/need them. But I really dont see the need for one on starting off as the assist (at least on my bikes) is pretty much instant and definately allows me to get going far faster than I ever could on a normal bike even on hills. It makes me wonder if a lot of people using throttles are using them to make up for poor pedelec sensor systems ?

 

[flecc]

wonder if a lot of people using throttles are using them to make up for poor pedelec sensor systems ?

I'm sure that's true for the many hub motor e-bikes with inadequate or non-existing torque sensors and only simple pedelec control.

 

[Old_Dave]

wonder if a lot of people using throttles are using them to make up for poor pedelec sensor systems ?

Or maybe due to foot/ankle/leg/knee/hip and other health issues the rotational movement of peddling can only be done on a very occasional basis..

Not everyone is as able bodied as others, and we wouldn't want to confine them to mobility scooters.. would we

Edit:
IMHO The answer has to be 'electrical speed limited' how that limit is achieved is a kinda moot point
(but we already have that limit...lol)

 

[flecc]

Of course I'm only speaking of average cyclists, and I'm sure that's true of most of our commenting. Disability in relation to e-bikes I see as a different issue which needs specific attention from our legislators, in the same way that so much attention is being paid to it in other areas like public transport and access.