Things you can't do on a pedelec-only bike

[Miles]

It would be good, and as I say, technically we are fully entitled to it now. I just don't see our governments legislating for what the public want though, since they seem to think any benefit from laws should only be for what they want with other's thoughts wholly excluded.
.

Do you know if the German helmet requirement is for a bicycle helmet or motorcycle type?

 

[flecc]

Do you know if the German helmet requirement is for a bicycle helmet or motorcycle type?

I don't remember Miles,though I have an impression it was a cycle helmet. I'll see if I can discover where I found the original information.
.

 

[flecc]

This isn't the original source, but useful nonetheless. If you download this pdf from the Connected Cities site:

Legislation

and then click the first index item, you'll see the E-bike and pedelec legislation in the EU.

Scroll down a bit to "legal status of e-bike" and you'll see that member states are free to make their own rules regarding insurance, age limit, helmet, so much more freedom than is commonly supposed.

Lots more information there, including the fact that only the UK and Sweden have the ridiculous lower age limit on pedelecs, children elsewhere able to ride them as they should in my view. Belgium have a unique 300 watt motor rating too!

The connected cities site is linked from the Croydon Cycling Campaign, and heres the link:

Connected Cities
.

 

[Miles]

Thanks. Right, that's pretty clear...

I seem to recall that they had to get type-approval for the Swizzbee. I should imagine that would be the case for anything not covered by the pedelec directive?

 

[flecc]

Thanks. Right, that's pretty clear...

I seem to recall that they had to get type-approval for the Swizzbee. I should imagine that would be the case for anything not covered by the pedelec directive?

Yup, clear as mud.

It certainly seems that way with type approval, but I'll still try to find out more on that German position. Odd that we don't have much evidence of members from Germany, though I think qeeeme might be from there.
.

 

[flecc]

I see Wikipedia are bang up to date on this issue :

"While generally not known it is possible to register a Cyclemotor or motorized bike for legal use on the UK's roads. If the machine is from a known manufacturer such as Rudge or Francis-Barnett this is a fairly simple procedure."
.

 

[Miles]

..............

 

[Ian]

Thanks. Right, that's pretty clear...

I seem to recall that they had to get type-approval for the Swizzbee. I should imagine that would be the case for anything not covered by the pedelec directive?

The so called EU pedelec directive is not actually a directive relating to pedelecs, instead being wider ranging in covering the requirements for type approval of many kinds of vehicles. The reference to pedelecs with the 250W limit etc. is that that are exempt from type approval. It therefore follows that any vehicle that does not meet the exemption requirements does require type approval.

Here is some information from the Swizzbee website to further confuse readers.

Do you have to wear a helmet?
Although you do not have to wear a helmet in many countries (such as Germany and Switzerland), we strongly recommend that you wear an approved cycle helmet. Ask your specialist dealer about legal regulations.

From what age can you ride a swizzbee 50C?
In Germany from 15, in Switzerland from 14; there is not yet any uniform ruling which applies throughout the EU. Ask your specialist dealer about legal regulations.

Does riding a Powercruiser require a special test?
In Germany, if you were 15 before 1.4.1980, you do not need a driver's licence to ride a swizzbee 50C. Younger people need a driver's licence or a moped licence, which can be obtained from 15 years of age. Courses for the moped licence are usually held at schools. In Switzerland a moped test is a prerequisite. Ask your specialist dealer about legal regulations.
top

Which vehicle category does the swizzbee 50C correspond to?
In Germany the swizzbee 50C is considered to be a moped, throughout the EU it is classified as a small power bike with low performance.

What type of registration/number-plate is required?
In Germany and Switzerland a moped registration number is required. Moped registration also provides your swizzbee 50C with third-party insurance. Ask your specialist dealer about legal regulations.

 

[Miles]

Any "specialist dealers" out there, care to comment?

 

[Ian]

I don't think we in England are alone in having confusing laws. There is information on the continental position on the extra energy site, but far from clarifying things it seems to add more confusion, and even seems to contradict itself in places.

 

[flecc]

This from the EE site must be the regulation I referred to Miles, but misleading reported in short elsewhere:

German high speed class

From what Kraeuterbutter says, we'd all be better off in Austria where it seems very free and easy for "E" two wheelers in comparison.
.

 

[Miles]

It's this bit that makes no sense to me:

"Swizzbee AG, headquartered in Baar, Switzerland, has obtained European-wide type approval for their pedelec in January 2004. It is the first legal pedelec in the EU that rides faster than 25 km/h (up to 35 km/h when the rider is pedaling). By means of a button at the handlebar the Swizzbee 50C can, alternatively, be used as a moped to a maximum speed of 15 km/h without pedaling."

How does moving it to the Low Powered Moped class make it a faster pedelec than 25 km/h?

If it has type approval as a normal moped, why the need to pedal?

Where does the 15 km/h figure come from and so what?

 

[Ian]

That's what I meant when i said the extra energy site was confusing and contradictory. Elsewhere it says 35km/h is illegal other than in Switzerland