Last yesterday's Commons DEbate on e-bike regulations

[flecc]

Thanks James. I did also include an explanation of the implications in my email to Gavin, but I don't know if he would be in the house at an appropriate time. He tends to spend a lot of time in the constituency and I've only had an automated reply so far.

Can others also email their MPs as James requested above
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[james@justebikes.co.uk]

Thanks Flecc, I've been very impressed with the Lords and MP's apparent willingness to add good things and remove the sillier bits of the EU regs. I (and I assume many others) argued hard for inclusion of twist and go and it seems to have worked. Lets hope the Commons see sense on the tyre replacement issue too.

 

[shemozzle999]

I had a similar chat with the National Tyre mechanic on Monday when waiting for my MOT to be completed he was explaining the new EU regulation labeling on new tyres and he mentioned that there were moves afoot to change the EU regulations to that of French car tyre laws and even maybe that all 4 tyres had to be the same make:

I found this on the forum linked below:

Speaking from experience of the weird tyre laws in France I can vouch for the fact that it is true that to be legal, the tyres on an axle do have to be of the same make and type. Last year we had a puncture on our Volvo which damaged the tyre. The tyre was a Dunlop which is impossible to obtain in France. The only way the garage would let me continue was to purchase 2 tyres of the same make and type for the front axle and to sign a disclaimer because the tyres on the front axle didn't match the rear axle. I even had to place the wheel on the axles myself so that the garage could not be accused of putting the "illegal" tyres onto the car. The tyres incidentally cost me £90 each but what choice did I have? The answer is to travel with Michelin which are cheap and easily obtained in France. Who was responsible for the Tyre Laws being passed in France? None other that the Director of Michelin himself.

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3234

 

[flecc]

Who was responsible for the Tyre Laws being passed in France? None other that the Director of Michelin himself.

Unsurprising. However, I sometimes think there's an international agenda to make car ownership ever more difficult, all to promote the green anti-CO2 policies of today's governments. It's working of course, the takeup of car ownership among the young has slumped both sides of the pond, due to the astronomic costs of running and insurance.
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[anotherkiwi]

Sorry, it is only common sense to have the same type of tyre on the same axle. If you can't feel the handling problems different types of tyres provoke in the wet then you shouldn't be driving a car. And there is no problem finding Dunlop tyres in France, Firestone Eagles, now they can be a problem in some sizes. And no, I am not French...

Back to bicycles: having better tyres on an e-bike is only common sense too. I am the father of three sons and have thrown away more crappy "bought at the supermarket" tyres than I care to remember. I think the record was a new tyre destroyed in under twenty minutes, "I only jumped off a footpath dad...". As for inner tubes, now don't get me started on tubes, five minute wonders at 2€ a pop...

Tony

 

[flecc]

I agree good tyres and tubes are always best, but having only one specified brand and model as part of the type approval is too restrictive. It rules out changing to winter tyres for example, or tyres with treads more suitable for one's personal cycling, or even better tyres.
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[trex]

I had a similar chat with the National Tyre mechanic on Monday when waiting for my MOT to be completed he was explaining the new EU regulation labeling on new tyres and he mentioned that there were moves afoot to change the EU regulations to that of French car tyre laws and even maybe that all 4 tyres had to be the same make:

I found this on the forum linked below:

Speaking from experience of the weird tyre laws in France I can vouch for the fact that it is true that to be legal, the tyres on an axle do have to be of the same make and type. Last year we had a puncture on our Volvo which damaged the tyre. The tyre was a Dunlop which is impossible to obtain in France. The only way the garage would let me continue was to purchase 2 tyres of the same make and type for the front axle and to sign a disclaimer because the tyres on the front axle didn't match the rear axle. I even had to place the wheel on the axles myself so that the garage could not be accused of putting the "illegal" tyres onto the car. The tyres incidentally cost me £90 each but what choice did I have? The answer is to travel with Michelin which are cheap and easily obtained in France. Who was responsible for the Tyre Laws being passed in France? None other that the Director of Michelin himself.

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3234

That law is ancient. It was enforced since early 70s.

 

[anotherkiwi]

Specifying tyre brand and model on a bike IS ridiculous. Supermarket no brand tyres are not suitable for anything and it is ridiculous to say that because a Decathlon or Carrefour bike comes with "made in cr@pland" tyres you cannot upgrade to Schwalbes or Michelins, for example.

And your point about wheelsets for winter and summer is spot on.

I can see where this is going - mounting your own bike, whether e-bike or not, from components is going to be outlawed. We will be in much the same situation as for DIY boat builders. The manufacturing industry has lobbied so hard to stop people building their own boats "for their safety" that you have to jump through some major hoops in order to do so. Or you live like an outlaw, as I did...

Tony

 

[flecc]

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Yes, the kit car industry was nearly killed by such regulations.
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