Pedelecs get an endorsement as mobility products

[flecc]

This entry of a global healthcare company into the mobility market with pedelecs included is the best argument to date for the EU to consider a higher power limit in the regulations to give more hill assistance:

Bike Europe link

 

[RoadieRoger]

Thanks for the link flecc , even more interesting was the fact that Chinese Ebike Manufacturers are standardising their batteries , fittings etc., from June 2013 . This will make it easier to source batteries for the myriad of designs and should reduce costs too .

 

[mountainsport]

This entry of a global healthcare company into the mobility market with pedelecs included is the best argument to date for the EU to consider a higher power limit in the regulations to give more hill assistance:

Bike Europe link

That is very good news for those genuine less able bodied people, but at the same time this could create a minor problem, if you were pulled over by the authorities (hoping not),will have to show proof that you are disabled or non abled, (where or who will that come from?),or better still display a disabled badge or sticker somewhere on the bike, (but where will that come from?) and I'm sure that won't be liked by riders either.

In the same way that the cycle to work scheme was introduced, I hope that this would also be taken into consideration.

Just a last thought, a person with a disability problem( whatever type), can either be young or old, therefore do you think it is wise to have a 16/17 year old owning a high powered ebike? He may well and be responsible enough, but not responsible enough to not have his friends taking it for a ride, we all know what teenagers are like.

I hope it all works out, and sorry for being so negative, don't go hard on me now.

MS.

 

[Artstu]

Just a last thought, a person with a disability problem( whatever type), can either be young or old, therefore do you think it is wise to have a 16/17 year old owning a high powered ebike?

Surely they'll still be speed limited? high power for the hills but with speed restrictions.

 

[flecc]

Yes, as Arstu says, only the speed limit is necessary, since even if the power was doubled it would still only be two-thirds of a horse power. For comparison, the limited 30 mph moped class scooters have at least 4 times that power on tap.

For mobility purposes ideally we need throttles for those who have an artificial leg disability making setting off difficult and for those with respiratory problems who need to take breaks from pedalling effort from time to time. In both cases the current 250 watts limit is potentially restrictive, 500 watts being more suitable.

 

[mountainsport]

Yes, as Arstu says, only the speed limit is necessary, since even if the power was doubled it would still only be two-thirds of a horse power. For comparison, the limited 30 mph moped class scooters have at least 4 times that power on tap.

For mobility purposes ideally we need throttles for those who have an artificial leg disability making setting off difficult and for those with respiratory problems who need to take breaks from pedalling effort from time to time. In both cases the current 250 watts limit is potentially restrictive, 500 watts being more suitable.

I hear you both.

MS.

 

[Erik]

My 9-year, soon to be 10-year old son suffers from Calvé-Perthes disease, causing his hip joint ball to degenerate, making it impossible for him to pedal in a circular motion, all he can do is pump forward with his good leg and backwards with his bad leg, but only for a short while.

We have recently bought a chinese bike with 20" wheels, with typical folding bike ergonomics, even though it's not a folding bike. It's been privately imported from China, and throttle-only operated.

The original 9,5 kg 24V 12Ah SLA battery has been substituted with a 6S 8000mAh LiPo battery pack from HobbyKing, weighing only 900 gram.

Before his disease broke out, we often went out cycling, with me giving him a push from time to time, but without him doing any work, it has become to hard for my shoulder.

Now we ride in fear that some nitpicking copper will stop us, confiscate the bike and give me a huge fine.

Legally he is restricted to a certified electric wheelchair doing max. 12kph on the sidewalk.

The bike he has now goes 21 kph on level asphalt with the 23V from the 6S LiPo pack, but is not good at climbing, as it's a ~180W brushed motor. As a cheap proof of concept, it has been perfect.
My dream is to convert a girls bike with 20" wheels to a stealth E-bike for him, but the components sure add up fast.

 

[flecc]

From long ownership the best bike for your son Erik is the eZee Quando. Throttle controlled and 250 watt rated, it's peak output is far above that. Mine carries my 70 kilos up a 12% hill without any pedalling and will even restart on that with motor only. Starting slowly at the foot of a 7% it accelerates to almost 20 kph, again on motor only. It's single speed but motors to just over 25 kph so who needs pedalling with that performance! Your son is probably much lighter than me so it could perform even better for him. Choice of many 36 volt battery sizes up to 20 Ah but priced with 10 or 14 Ah:

eZee Quando
.

 

[Erik]

I'm afraid that the step-through height is to tall for him, it should be crank-height or lower, like a Dahon Ciao

 

[flecc]

Ah, that's a pity Erik, it's performance would have been ideal. Your conversion idea using one of the more powerful motor/controller combinations seems to be the only answer.