Legal EBIKE LOOPHOLES

I have a question for anyone knowledgeable about e-bikes. I’m wondering if there are any legal loopholes or ways to bypass the 15.5 mph (25 km/h) speed limit. In my experience, 20 mph (32 km/h) feels like a sweet spot, especially when I’m riding on dirt tracks or private roads. I know I could just pedal manually to go faster, but I’m curious if there’s a legal way to achieve that speed with the motor.

 

Also, do police usually stop you for going a bit over the limit?

 

I often ride my e-bike to university and while I do pass by police cars frequently, I’ve never been stopped. I live near the edge of the ULEZ zone, not in the heart of London. From what I’ve seen, police seem to have a general idea of what an illegal e-bike looks like, and as long as it’s not obvious, they don't seem too bothered. My e-bike has an option to increase the speed, but I only ever use it on private roads or dirt tracks, where you're more likely to see horses than people (and definitely no police around).

 

Just curious to hear your thoughts. Thanks a lot!

https://www.badassebikes.com/

 

you can remove it in seconds my bosch bike can go 40mph on the flat and plod wont chase me

I have a question for anyone knowledgeable about e-bikes. I’m wondering if there are any legal loopholes or ways to bypass the 15.5 mph (25 km/h) speed limit. In my experience, 20 mph (32 km/h) feels like a sweet spot, especially when I’m riding on dirt tracks or private roads. I know I could just pedal manually to go faster, but I’m curious if there’s a legal way to achieve that speed with the motor.

 

Also, do police usually stop you for going a bit over the limit?

 

I often ride my e-bike to university and while I do pass by police cars frequently, I’ve never been stopped. I live near the edge of the ULEZ zone, not in the heart of London. From what I’ve seen, police seem to have a general idea of what an illegal e-bike looks like, and as long as it’s not obvious, they don't seem too bothered. My e-bike has an option to increase the speed, but I only ever use it on private roads or dirt tracks, where you're more likely to see horses than people (and definitely no police around).

 

Just curious to hear your thoughts. Thanks a lot!

There are no loopholes. 15.5mph is definitive.

https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/changes-to-regulations-speed-pedelecs-dongles-throttles.19400/post-241276

 

https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/a-quick-question-about-the-15-5mph-assisted-legal-limit.43401/post-651910

Edited September 30, 20241 yr by Peter.Bridge

It's only the law, so probably only intended for guidance.

Google "speed pedelec".

TLDR - No.

 

Police wont stop you for speeding on an 'analog' bike, you tubes black belt barrister has a vid on it explaining better than I ever could

 

And right now you probably wouldnt raise an eyebrow passing plod at 20mph uphill with your feet at rest, but tomorrow? - Chances are the current status quo will continue, with only those forcing plods hand by being involved in a RTA for example facing consequences.

 

However on discovery any bike insurance would be null and void, and any accident your involved in would automatically be your fault, and liability.

 

Also while most 250w rated hub motors will have a top speed 19-22mph perhaps more? the acceleration between 15-20mph is not as rapid and 'wheee' inspiring as the acceleration upto 15mph. and if capable of ridding at that speed your probably gonna get bored waiting for the motor and pedal it yourself anyway.

 

Think how fast any ICE machine accelerates its last 10mph of max speed, the top end on an unrestricted ebike is comparable.

 

Larger faster motors will place you firmly outside the regs unless you go the e-moped route which involves insurance license etc..

 

Dont let anyone in a pub/bar/union tell you because conversion kits are not explicitly covered by the regs - you can do whatever, - not the case - dont go all USA-sovereign citizen over a bloody ebike ffs.

 

So Sure you can ride a de-restricted bike, its not tricky and in most cases can be achieved with an exchange of the control system to one with an open configuration if no hacks or cracks or dongles are available.

 

Might be worth giving a within regs ebike a go first, let it whizz u upto 15 mph when you can take over if you want to

 

Yup, 15.5 mph is definitive and measurable. I suppose it's arguable that they would have to put a speed gun on you as 'on the stand' speed is not a true representation as it does not account for wind and rolling resistance.

However, to be legal, the motor should cut off when 15.5 is registered, again definitive.

A motor marked as 250w is also definitive, but the amount of power put through that motor is not defined. So a higher current controller will get you up hills faster with less effort from you. But, if you zoom past a police car whilst not pedaling you're asking for it.

I don't think I'd want to be arguing the finer points of eapc law, at the roadside, with a member of the met.

There may be as sort of loophole in that there seems to be a 10% tolerance for error suggested in the European (EN15194) standard, so this seems to suggest that a top speed of 17 mph would be acceptable. Perhaps someone could clarify if this is indeed the actual case in UK law ?

There may be as sort of loophole in that there seems to be a 10% tolerance for error suggested in the European (EN15194) standard, so this seems to suggest that a top speed of 17 mph would be acceptable. Perhaps someone could clarify if this is indeed the actual case in UK law ?

https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/legal-ebike-loopholes.47873/post-726014

Also, do police usually stop you for going a bit over the limit?

Usually? No. However, sting operations have been happening all over the country for several years now with most of them in London. They will stop every ebike they see to inspect and seize and fine any that don't conform which would include yours. You can look up the punishments and consequences online. These operations have only increased in frequency. You might feel it's worth the risk but if you do it everyday forever you will get caught out.

 

Also, mopeds are cheap and do 30mph.

I sold my ebike. | Pedelecs - Electric Bike Community

https://www.badassebikes.com/

 

you can remove it in seconds my bosch bike can go 40mph on the flat and plod wont chase me

 

And how has that worked out for you?

 

 

 

Seven days after showing us how you were averaging 35 miles an hour, this happened:

 

Well i had abig one today and crashed on some wet grass going about 25mph.

Part of coller bone broken.

Ribs broken right side.

Pelvis broken left and right.

Right hip muliti fractures

Left also has a small fracture.

Internal bleeding lost 2.5l of blood.

Back has a fracture.

Left thumb swolen.

And have to go to bristol for repaires dand only just had som morphine.

 

And some prick has robbed one of my shoes.

 

Bike dont look to bad mech hanger is totaled back brake is jammed on but thats about it

 

https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/emtb-owners-photo-and-ride-thread.24089/post-714033

 

i got pip for 2 years 600 quid a month

There may be as sort of loophole in that there seems to be a 10% tolerance for error suggested in the European (EN15194) standard, so this seems to suggest that a top speed of 17 mph would be acceptable. Perhaps someone could clarify if this is indeed the actual case in UK law ?

 

The DfT have confirmed to us that the 10% tolerance applies to all UK speed limits.

.

Perhaps someone could clarify if this is indeed the actual case in UK law ?

 

I beleive the policy for electric bikes is the same as it is for vehicles;

 

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/legal/speeding-fines/#am-i-allowed-a-10-leeway-of-the-speed-limit

 

my jsa has gone to 200 quid a week

1400 quid a month and i got a flat for sale 86k

my jsa has gone to 200 quid a week

(...)

1400 quid a month

 

4x200=800

 

How many days did you work in your life?

im a drug dealer i dont pay tax

 

Edited October 3, 20241 yr by soundwave

bugger me i might sign on then thats 2x my income after tax and ni.. then again i dont have to deal with anyone working for the dhss which is worth a grand in ni a year alone..

im a drug dealer i dont pay tax

 

You are clearly an incompetent dealer if you must claim jsa.

... and even drug dealers pay tax.

I beleive the policy for electric bikes is the same as it is for vehicles;

 

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/legal/speeding-fines/#am-i-allowed-a-10-leeway-of-the-speed-limit

 

[ATTACH type=full" alt="60028]60028[/ATTACH]

I recall seeing on this forum that some of the big European manufacturers take advantage of the 10% tolerance and set their motor cutoff speed above the 15.5 mph limit

4x200=800

+ the £600 a month PIP

I recall seeing on this forum that some of the big European manufacturers take advantage of the 10% tolerance and set their motor cutoff speed above the 15.5 mph limit

The 10% tolerance is to cover measurement error. The idea is that if you set your cutoff to 25 km/h and it has an accuracy such that it reads 10% low. You are still within the the allowed speed; however if you set it to 27.5 km/hr and its undetermined accuracy makes it read 1% low, you're out.

 

Remember, what you see your speed displayed as on any device is your "measured" speed, not your "actual" speed. The actual speed can only be determined by instruments of know accuracy and known measurement system errors.

Remember, what you see your speed displayed as on any device is your "measured" speed, not your "actual" speed. The actual speed can only be determined by instruments of know accuracy and known measurement system errors.

And this would be my defense to any crude roadside 'on the stand' check. The only speed display on my bike is a retro fit Cateye cycle computer with speed registration dependant on wheel size setting. This, of course, takes no account of tyre depth, so only gives a ball park figure and definitly not calibrated..

Not that I'm likely to be pulled over around here. Seeing a police car is an event worthy of mention.