Legal or not?

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
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Not as a pedelec, because it's Twist and Go so would need to be registered as a moped, but that is probably not possible since it wouldn't met the required standards, especially if could exceed 15.5 mph under power.

The front drum brake doesn't impress and the rear one will probably be a band brake, the worst sort ever invented. You can do better elsewhere, albeit not with the passenger facilities.
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LeighPing

Esteemed Pedelecer
Mar 27, 2016
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The Red Ditch
Other than having a throttle, which you could easily disconnect, it appears to meet the legal criteria for a pedelec in the UK.
 

Ajax

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 2, 2008
318
31
Not as a pedelec, because it's Twist and Go so would need to be registered as a moped, but that is probably not possible since it wouldn't met the required standards, especially if could exceed 15.5 mph under power.

The front drum brake doesn't impress and the rear one will probably be a band brake, the worst sort ever invented. You can do better elsewhere, albeit not with the passenger facilities.
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So what about the L1e-A

"Unlike many traditional ebikes, the new class gives you the benefit of an on-demand throttle. Depending on your needs you can choose to stick to pedal assist, rely solely on the throttle, or give yourself a quick power boost while riding in pedal assist mode by flicking the throttle."

https://urbandrivestyle.com/blogs/news/l1e-a-a-brand-new-class-of-electric-bikes
 
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flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,263
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Other than having a throttle, which you could easily disconnect, it appears to meet the legal criteria for a pedelec in the UK.
Since they say twist and go, the throttle may be the only way it's controlled. Also we don't know if it's limited to 15.5 mph.

Unless these are clarified it's a risky buy, epecially as it's from too far away to return.
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flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
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So what about the L1e-A

"Unlike many traditional ebikes, the new class gives you the benefit of an on-demand throttle. Depending on your needs you can choose to stick to pedal assist, rely solely on the throttle, or give yourself a quick power boost while riding in pedal assist mode by flicking the throttle."

https://urbandrivestyle.com/blogs/news/l1e-a-a-brand-new-class-of-electric-bikes
That's what I posted, it has to be registered as a moped. L1e-A is a moped class in the UK. And since we don't know if it's limited to 15.5 mph we can't say it fits L1e-A. If it powers to a higher speed it would have to be L1e-B, the full moped class.

In fact it may not be easily registered to either as it is, possibly lacking in some of the requirements for those classes and probably no certificate of conformity.
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tommie

Esteemed Pedelecer
Mar 13, 2013
1,760
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Co. Down, N. Ireland, U.K.
and it`s a heavy one at 28.4 kg`s, you would be better off with an electric scooter/moped

as a point of interest is there any legit ebike that has that type of child seat ?

In fact is it legal to carry a passenger at all on an ebike??
 
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LeighPing

Esteemed Pedelecer
Mar 27, 2016
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I like that it has front and rear footrests for both rider and passenger. That mean that the passenger could technically do all the pedalling. Is there a law against that? :D
 

LeighPing

Esteemed Pedelecer
Mar 27, 2016
2,547
1,945
The Red Ditch
and it`s a heavy one at 28.4 kg`s, you would be better off with an electric scooter/moped

as a point of interest is there any legit ebike that has that type of child seat ?

In fact is it legal to carry a passenger at all on an ebike??

Almost everyone in Europe carries their child / kid on their bikes. We used to do it all the time when we lived in Germany. An ebike is no different.. in most places Tommie.. :oops:
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,263
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I like that it has front and rear footrests for both rider and passenger. That mean that the passenger could technically do all the pedalling. Is there a law against that? :D

I liked the passenger footrest feature and clothing guard too, though the rider footrests are redundant on a pedelec.

Whether the passenger could pedal instead is a tricky question. The second person on a tandem pedals, but only when the first rider pedals. Also a tandem is specifically designed for that and the second person is a rider and legally probably not a passenger.

My instinct is that the police might say the passenger pedalling instead means the rider doesn't have proper control, which is an offence. They could also successfully prosecute since the EAPC law requires that the rider needs to pedal to get power.
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