Brexit speed question.

Would you like your motor to go faster than 15.5 mph, before cut off, to 20 mph?


  • Total voters
    51

D8ve

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 30, 2013
2,142
1,294
Bristol
Yes and no.
Going faster burns the battery.
Going faster is fun.
 

tillson

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 29, 2008
5,252
3,197
If we can keep all of the freedoms of use that we currently enjoy with a 15 mph limit, then yes, faster would be good.

If higher speed comes with more restrictions, as in Germany, insurance, number plate, compulsory helmet, no use of cycle paths, then no, I would rather stay as we are.
 
Last edited:

LeighPing

Esteemed Pedelecer
Mar 27, 2016
2,547
1,945
The Red Ditch
I we can keep all of the freedoms of use we currently enjoy with a 15 mph limit, then yes, faster would be good.

If higher speed comes with more restrictions, as in Germany, insurance, number plate, compulsory helmet, no use of cycle paths, then no, I would rather stay as we are.
Roadies on racing bikes with skinny tyres can trot along at 45 mph. So 4.5 mph more, before auto cut-off, should be fine (seeing as pedelecs can go as fast as you like on muscle power anyhow). ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: brightonebikes

Crockers

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 19, 2014
821
689
71
Roadies on racing bikes with skinny tyres can trot along at 45 mph. So 4.5 mph more, before auto cut-off, should be fine (seeing as pedelecs can go as fast as you like on muscle power anyhow). ;)
Phil's Giant Yamaha does 60.....:D
 
  • Like
Reactions: LeighPing

cwah

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 3, 2011
3,048
179
www.whatonlondon.co.uk
When the car in front slams his brakes on at 30..............ouch
Happened to me many times... and as a safe driver, you just need to keep enough distance with the car in front of you.

My main fear is the opposite... when the car behind me is being too close because I am too slow...
 

soundwave

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 23, 2015
16,915
6,514
i might get a 1000000v electric bell should be funny lol
 
  • Agree
Reactions: LeighPing

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,208
30,607
Roadies on racing bikes with skinny tyres can trot along at 45 mph. So 4.5 mph more, before auto cut-off, should be fine (seeing as pedelecs can go as fast as you like on muscle power anyhow). ;)
But the law quite rightly is set to suit the least capable, not the most capable like those roadies.

That's why our power cutoff is at 25kph (15.5mph), and even that only courtesy of the EU. Our UK law was once set at just 12 mph before the EU compatibility requirements increased it.
.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: LeighPing

LeighPing

Esteemed Pedelecer
Mar 27, 2016
2,547
1,945
The Red Ditch
But the law quite rightly is set to suit the least capable, not the most capable like those roadies.
We have many 'capable' bikes and riders, who often spend many thousands on a single bike. Fortunately, entrepreneurs have solved the cut-off problem, for those that would like to be able to go half as fast as those 'most capable'. :)

Keiren.jpg
 

Ruadh495

Pedelecer
Oct 13, 2015
145
63
52
In my opinion 15.5mph is a sensible cut-off for vehicles which are treated as pedal cycles. That means using shared use paths, having pedal cycle spec brakes, tyres, lighting, standards of maintenance (no MOT), no insurance, no licensing, no protective clothing, operated by a 14yr old etc.

You or I might be able to cope with a more powerful machine (I've got a full motorbike license and I'm sure I'm not alone in that here), but could every user?

No problem with more powerful e-bikes, I just think the current regulations are correct in treating them as motorcycles. There's no limit to how fast you can make your e-bike, just build and operate it as a motorcycle if it assists over 15.5mph.

There is (in my opinion) a good argument for an ultra-light moped class with less restrictions than motorcycles but more than pedal cycles. That would encompass s-pedelecs and also some very light IC engine vehicles (mostly historical).

What I wouldn't want to see is an ultra-light moped class (say up to 28mph) which encompassed all e-bikes. So even 15.5mph bikes would need registration etc and would only be permitted to use carriageways.
 

Benjahmin

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 10, 2014
2,592
1,747
70
West Wales
With the extensive introduction of 20mph limits in urban area's, I think there's a case for pedelec speed increase. This would enable commuters to keep up with the flow of traffic and so be less likely to be 'nudged' by the impatient. I think it would also encourage more to commute by pedelec, cutting down congestion and pollution.
For myself, I ride the lanes of west Wales, mostly at 12-14mph, gazing around at the wonderful landscape. So I don't give a tinkers cuss about commuters...........whoops, p.c. slippage:oops:
 
With the extensive introduction of 20mph limits in urban area's, I think there's a case for pedelec speed increase. This would enable commuters to keep up with the flow of traffic and so be less likely to be 'nudged' by the impatient. I think it would also encourage more to commute by pedelec, cutting down congestion and pollution.
For myself, I ride the lanes of west Wales, mostly at 12-14mph, gazing around at the wonderful landscape. So I don't give a tinkers cuss about commuters...........whoops, p.c. slippage:oops:
Do you not think that the powers that be are more likely to reduce the speed for cars to 15mph in those areas, rather than increase the speeds of other motorised forms of transport to match the current 20mph?