E-Bikes: The phenomenon, The Problem.

[Az.]

I've found 16mph don't seem that fast until you get a pedestrian coming round a blind corner or another bike coming towards you.

I use bell each time as a precaution.

Guess I can't win.

On contrary. Each time you arrived at home safely is a win.

 

[sjpt]

Dogs and people with headphones Pahh !!

Yes, dogs with headphones is a major hazard. ...

I agree that pedestrians can be very erratic; I know I am when I'm walking. If you ring as you approach a couple strategically placed to prevent passing on a widish shared patch they'll just swap over.

Long dog leads are the biggest hazard.

We ride slowly these days anyway; so 8mph is no problem for us or even less if it's very busy. We may reach a dizzying 12mph if it is very empty. It's another matter for keener (mainly non-electric) cyclists who really want to be going at 18mph. Shared paths just aren't suitable. There is almost no sensible provision for them; the road is the only reasonable place.

 

[StuartsProjects]

Perhaps they need to be paid ambassadors from the Pedelecs.co.uk democratic republic of repairability freedom?

Your joking, shirley ?

Would anyone would accept representation from a forum where advice on potentially illegal eBikes is so openly provided ?

ha ha ha ha

 

[esuark]

Yes, dogs with headphones is a major hazard. ...

have you not seen them............

 

[flecc]

Surely there are many times more kit converters now. 3 months isn't long enough to get the public's attention.

There were many kits back then too, but the consultation was about all pedelec law, not in any way kit specific.

I think three months was plenty, given how widely it was publicised. As usual with our public, it was apathy that resulted in such a poor input. They had the chance but didn't take it.
.

 

[Az.]

but the consultation was about

Makes me think what consultations are for. Some time ago my employer invited all for consultation. Everybody opposed changes. They did it anyway...
Just a waste of time to make a false impression our opinion matters.

 

[flecc]

Makes me think what consultations are for. Some time ago my employer invited all for consultation. Everybody opposed changes. They did it anyway...
Just a waste of time to make a false impression our opinion matters.

Often true, but in this case the DfT were not only aware of the support for keeping throttles but actually sympathised with it.

However there just wasn't enough public support participating for throttles so the below anti-throttle side won:

"Sustrans supported only permitting power assist while pedalling and preferred that "twist and go" cycles be restricted to the road. Others felt that providing power while pedalling was fundamental to the definition of an EAPC and would also harmonise UK requirements with the rest of Europe."

However there was the one concession in response to this:

"Some felt that if "twist and go" is prohibited, it is essential that it is retained for speeds up 6 km/h (3.7 mph) to assist start up, especially when pulling away up hill. This would harmonise with the European requirement."

If a few hundred of the throttle enthusiasts had taken part it could have been a very different story. After all, the DfT later worked the wangle of 250LPM, showing how sympathetic they were to the throttle argument.
.

 

[guerney]

I doubt there will be a massive general crackdown, there aren't enough cops. Reducing antisocial ebiker behaviour on high streets is about all they have manpower for. Sneaky Sunak is doing the best he can to not make waves.

The BBS01B has 250W engraved underneath the motor. My plan if challenged is to flip the bike over, thus making view of it accessible... it's also engaved large therefore accessible for shortsighted cops to read. I'd also show them the speed limit on my display. I might even let them ride it around a bit, if they give me their police car keys or the equivalent (ever increasing, it's a money pit is cycling) of my bike's value in cash.

Two years ago, ebay had laminated paper stickers with speed limit as well as power. How about a cheap £5 custom engraved plaque? Engraved with:

BAFANG
Model: BBS01B
EPAC according to EN 15194
250W, 25km/h

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374004673560

There are oodles of trophy shops near me, where I could pay more than twice as much. There's already a CE mark on the motor (or was, there has been much riding through rain and mud since I looked last). I could simply araldite or superglue+baking soda the plaque to the motor.

Further to my post above, this little plaque arived well packaged - it was stuck face down to stiff cardboard with masking tape, the carboard folded over twice. I'll remove the double sided sticky tape on the back, and adhere this small plaque to my motor. Do wish Bafang had engraved more details relevant to UK law on my motor, instead of just rated power.

 

[afzal]

I would rather ride responsibly and take the risk if stopped that the marking is not too obvious, than put a dubious sticker on it however convincing it might be.

Wondering whether it would be legal for the user to put "legal sticker". As I understand, if there is a proof (say manufacturer's bill) to back it up, it might be okay, but otherwise might get treated as a double illegality - one because of the electrics (over the limit or unknown) & other due to wilful manipulation w.r.t legal sticker (perhaps a crime)

 

[flecc]

Wondering whether it would be legal for the user to put "legal sticker". As I understand, if there is a proof (say manufacturer's bill) to back it up, it might be okay, but otherwise might get treated as a double illegality - one because of the electrics (over the limit or unknown) & other due to wilful manipulation w.r.t legal sticker (perhaps a crime)

Entirely legal so long as the facts reported on the label are true, since this comes under the usage part of the Construction and Use regulation:

"(i) fitted with a plate securely fixed in a conspicuous and readily accessible position showing—

(aa) the name of the manufacturer of the vehicle,
(bb) the nominal voltage of the battery (as defined in the 1971 British Standard) of the vehicle, and
(cc) the continuous rated output (as defined in the 1971 British Standard) of the motor of the vehicle; or

(ii) visibly and durably marked with—

(aa) the name of the manufacturer of the vehicle,
(bb) the maximum speed at which the motor can propel the vehicle specified in miles per hour or kilometres per hour, and
(cc) the maximum continuous rated power (as defined in the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations 1983)(d) of the motor of the vehicle specified in watts or kilowatts;”

For any pedelec created after 1st January 2016, it's (ii) above that applies.

 

[guerney]

(bb) the nominal voltage of the battery (as defined in the 1971 British Standard) of the vehicle, and

Crumbs, I should have included "36V". Oh well, it's engraved under the motor anyway, which I can make accessible by flipping the bike over for inspection if challenged.

 

[flecc]

Crumbs, I should have included "36V". Oh well, it's engraved under the motor anyway, which I can make accessible by flipping the bike over for inspection if challenged.

Not if you created the pedelec by adding the motor after 1st January 2016.

Then you only need:

(aa) the name of the manufacturer of the vehicle

(bb) the maximum speed at which the motor can propel the vehicle specified in miles per hour or kilometres per hour, and

(cc) the maximum continuous rated power (as defined in the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations 1983)(d) of the motor of the vehicle specified in watts or kilowatts;”
.

 

[guerney]

Not if you created the pedelec by adding the motor after 1st January 2016.

Then you only need:

(aa) the name of the manufacturer of the vehicle

(bb) the maximum speed at which the motor can propel the vehicle specified in miles per hour or kilometres per hour, and

(cc) the maximum continuous rated power (as defined in the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations 1983)(d) of the motor of the vehicle specified in watts or kilowatts;”
.

Thanks flecc, that's a relief because my back's been giving me gyp.

 

[StuartsProjects]

Further to my post above, this little plaque arived well packaged - it was stuck face down to stiff cardboard with masking tape, the carboard folded over twice. I'll remove the double sided sticky tape on the back, and adhere this small plaque to my motor. Do wish Bafang had engraved more details relevant to UK law on my motor, instead of just rated power.


View attachment 52753

Nice.

Do they do them curved to fit on downtubes etc ?

 

[flecc]

Thanks flecc, that's a relief because my back's been giving me gyp.

The two label versions were before and after adopting the EU law in full on 6th April 2015. The time gap to 1st January 2016 was by convention to allow manufacturers and traders to clear existing stocks.
.

 

[guerney]

Do they do them curved to fit on downtubes etc ?

Not that I know of. Shirley trophy shop outfits must be accustomed to fitting plaques around trophies with round/oval bases? Maradonna was small.

If it wasn't for the thin silvery metal top layer, I'd be tempted to use my heat gun, to see if it could bend to fit around the downtube.

Maybe cut the holes off a stainless steel one, and beat it with a flat wide hammer or cold/bolster chisel to the required curvature, on a sandbag? This plaque is too long... unless you araldite it on sideways:

100 x 30mm stainless steel engraved plaque Personalised Custom Plate Sign Label | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 100 x 30mm stainless steel engraved plaque Personalised Custom Plate Sign Label at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

Smaller, but brass will tarnish unless laquered of course:

Deep Engraved Brass Plaque Label Sign Bench Name Plate Grave Marker Memorial | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Deep Engraved Brass Plaque Label Sign Bench Name Plate Grave Marker Memorial at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

shirley

 

[Nealh]

Those trophy adhesive etched plaques are easy to bend/ form over any cylindrical object to get the correct curvature, I did like wise for my placque on the akm128. Once formed then remove the backing.

 

[soundwave]

that's my sticker never judge a book buy its cover

 

[guerney]

Those trophy adhesive etched plaques are easy to bend/ form over any cylindrical object to get the correct curvature, I did like wise for my placque on the akm128. Once formed then remove the backing.

This plaque is inflexible, will require heat to fashion into a curve. I don't have much downtube so it'll have to go on the motor, or an upper part (coppers would have to stoop to inspect my bike frame lol) of one of the wider flattish sides. Not seatpost, because that needs to slide down to the hilt for folding. Curved around the lower part of the handlebar post is a possibility, the bit which doesn't need to slide when folding the bike. On the back of a handlebar end mirror? Perhaps I should stick a little push LED light under it, to make it more accessible at night?

 

[Benjahmin]

(aa) the name of the manufacturer of the vehicle,
(bb) the maximum speed at which the motor can propel the vehicle specified in miles per hour or kilometres per hour, and
(cc) the maximum continuous rated power (as defined in the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations 1983)(d) of the motor of the vehicle specified in watts or kilowatts;”

So back to my question.
Who should be the named manufacturer if it's a conversion kit ?
I'd be using AKM motor on a Velotechnic Street Machine GT with batteries from Jimmy.
How about 'Velobenjimakm' , rolls of the tongue don't it?

Also, how does it make sense to be putting a plate on the frame when the motor can be changed. Sort of like the days when people used to put 2L Cortina engines into the old Anglia.

So is it the bike that needs to be labelled or the motor?