Half-ton electric bike poses latest threat to London pedestrians

[lenny]

Half-ton electric bike poses latest threat to London pedestrians

Critics claim ‘small articulated truck’ could lead to rise in injuries

www.telegraph.co.uk

"1.96m tall.
0.9m wide.
5m long.
has dual 250W motors (which I make 500W).
Carries up to 350kg, so weighs 500kg+ with a 100kg rider.
And they say it is perfectly suitable for cycle infra."

e-Pack - A 5m long 250W x 2 articulated cargo bike van

I was quite started to see this being promoted as an EAPC, able to ride on shared pavements, but it is tippier than a double-decker bus. e-Pack - A 5m long articulated cargo bike van that can weight half a tonne. I'd suggest that this is the kind of thing that will arrive if we have the 500W...

road.cc

 

[Voltsnamps]

The word bicycle is using latin “bi” for two (wheels)
Idiots saying “ quad bike ” only prove their ignorance
this thing is not even close.
perhaps like 250w or 48v “nominal” or rated, the number of wheels is no longer arbitrary?

 

[sjpt]

I thought there was something in the regs that only allowed up to 4 wheels, but can't see it now. Indeed I see
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrically-assisted-pedal-cycles-eapcs/electrically-assisted-pedal-cycles-eapcs-in-great-britain-information-sheet)
the previous limit on motor power for bicycles and the restrictions on weight, and the number of wheels an EAPC may have, were removed on 6 April 2015
Maybe somewhere else I would find new regs on weight and number of wheels?

I also though multiple motors were ruled out, even if the sum of their power is 250w or less, but can't find that either.

I don't know about a tilt test, but when we had a Hann trailer behind a tandem many years ago we needed to be very careful to avoid 90 degree between the bike and trailer; the trailer would just fall over.

 

[flecc]

I thought there was something in the regs that only allowed up to 4 wheels, but can't see it now. Indeed I see
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrically-assisted-pedal-cycles-eapcs/electrically-assisted-pedal-cycles-eapcs-in-great-britain-information-sheet)
the previous limit on motor power for bicycles and the restrictions on weight, and the number of wheels an EAPC may have, were removed on 6 April 2015

Strictly speaking EAPCs don't have any law, they are exempted from motor vehicle law and treated as bicycles since 2015.

And with just one exception our laws mentioning bicycles have always said:

"bicycles, tricycles and bicycles with four or more wheels"

So there is no upper limit on the number of wheels. Nor is there a limit on the number of motors an EAPC can have, so long as the total notional power is specified as 250 watts.
.

 

[Voltsnamps]

A (bi)cycle with four wheels is an oxymoron
Only proves we are ruled by fools

 

[portals]

Wow, that's nuts, easy conversion to an electric camper van and I can park it on the pavement!

Where do I sign up?

 

[Benjahmin]

Can't see why it's any more a danger to pedestrians than a 40ft artic where the driver's 7ft off the ground.