not picking holes... genuinely interested.
What makes you think 1 in 3 eBike buyers has mobility issues??
UK to Harmonise Electric Bike Law with Europe?
- Thread starter Electrifying Cycles
- Start date
What makes you think 1 in 3 eBike buyers has mobility issues??
Seems to me that what will actually happen is that the mighty Bosh will continue to produce their expensive bikes for continental countries. China will continue to produce their sensibly priced bikes for the UK.
The Chinese ones will come with the appropriate port for a throttle on the controllers.
Ebay will continue to sell throttles.
The Chinese ones will come with the appropriate port for a throttle on the controllers.
Ebay will continue to sell throttles.
I never use the throttle to power my machine when riding it , only to use the 6km/hr function to walk up some steep hills in my town . When the machine was new 4 and1/2 years ago I rode up on full assistance , no throttle , but now the battery has degraded , it knocks out too much power . Why struggle up pedalling when you can walk alongside at the same speed conserving the battery ? After reading the foregoing I`m still not sure whether this function will be retained ,as the word throttle appears to be `toxic` to the Authorities . The same caring knowledgeable people that gift £5000 on the purchase of £100,000 Cars with Electric Capability , yet hardly acknowledge that Ebikes exist . I can`t help being a 76 year old cynic , Officialdom has made me this way !
Just browsing You Tube,I came across a video...headed bicycle with electric engine plus throttle in Netherland (snorfiets),must be registered.
The bike clearly is a normal e-bike with rack mounted battery,SWX type front motor,bike by Sachs but it looks a home build.
The video shows the registration plate and the registration document but doesn't seem to have other motorbike features like indicators,headlamps.
Anyone an idea how this is achieved in Holland,maybe very relevant to this thread.
KudosDave
The bike clearly is a normal e-bike with rack mounted battery,SWX type front motor,bike by Sachs but it looks a home build.
The video shows the registration plate and the registration document but doesn't seem to have other motorbike features like indicators,headlamps.
Anyone an idea how this is achieved in Holland,maybe very relevant to this thread.
KudosDave
Yes, the S class now has a limited legal acceptance in The Netherlands Dave, and as in Germany has a number plate. A home construction has to be taken though single vehicle approval initially. France is next to accept the S class in 2017.
Re your wondering about the walk alongside throttle acceptance, as I posted on the previous page the EU has had them for years and they are accepted, They after all have had these identical regulations we are calling new ever since November 2003.
.
I believe the terminology used was "physical handicap" which makes me, with epilepsy ( and the potential for sudden loss of all energy like having just run a marathon with no training but otherwise normal), worried. It also makes me think that asthma and lung conditions probably would not count either.
I strongly believe any impediment/disability/handicap with a physical origin or component would be included. Handicap seems to me slightly broader than disability in the sense that disability sometimes can carry with it legal connotations (although I might be wrong). Handicap sounds more like 'factual impediment'. But in any case, epilepsy and lung conditions can definitely be regarded as disabilities. Although I respect whatever attitude anyone with a condition wants to take with these labels.
However the main difficulty in my experience at least with government-funded equipment, has been to get a supplier to declare that e.g. a laptop is intended as a disability aid, without charging a whopping mark-up for the service of doing so.
It might be important to check whether the provision requires that providers be 'registered providers of equipment for people with disabilities' - often that's a requirement for suppliers of government-funded equipment, but probably that's just because there's a real need to ensure fit and proper persons guarantee that bad equipment won't have to be paid for by the govt twice (not sure if there are VAT issues too). If this provision is silent on the matter then probably anybody can supply, so long as they declare it's intended for someone with a disabilty - AFAIK. This is just my sense of what's the case, I might be wrong.
I Can`t play the guitar as well as I used to, and was never all that good at it anyway. Oh and I can`t play the saxophone either. Surely, that must count as a handicap, and entitle me to a throttle?
You only qualify if you aren't up to playing a harmonium. Then you get an electrically powered throttle controlled billows.
No doubt language differences play a part in our versions of EU orders and that may account for the word "handicapped". The intention was probably what we would express as disabled, and I've little doubt that's the way our authorities intend it.
.
Also from the Impact Assessment :
6.3. Equalities Assessment
It is considered that there are no race, gender or disability equality impacts to the preferred option
full documentation here:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/24/impacts
.
6.3. Equalities Assessment
It is considered that there are no race, gender or disability equality impacts to the preferred option
full documentation here:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/24/impacts
.
Last edited:
Hi KudosDave,
The extract is a bit of a double edged sword, it might justify that existing throttles be covered by any Grandfather rights by accepting they qualify as being currently not prohibited but on the other hand closes the door on them when the EU regulations come into being in 2016 although nothing has been changed by the EAPC amendment i.e. it still does not specify any method of delivery of the assistance but it can not be used as an excuse to retain them after 2016.
It does highlight the removal of throttles though which will impact of some disabled users although the impact assessment appears to not take this into account.
Regarding L1e-A only time will tell if these powerful electric bikes will draw a following albeit probably not in the UK as they are still restricted to 25km/h.
Also awaiting this update (currently not done) from the Explanatory Memorandum:
9. Guidance
9.1 The Department for Transport has published guidance about EAPC classification and other in-use requirements on the www.gov.uk web site. The guidance will be revised to reflect changes made by these regulations.
I hope it will mention Grandfather rights.
Last edited:
Ha - very good. However I think the legislation means a more than minimal, physically manifesting handicap, to one's capacity to use an ordinary bike, which in turn will be remedied through an electric bike. That's from what they call a 'purposive' reading of the provision.
This concerns me. I am only a father. I am not old enough to be a grandfather yet so I don't think I will get these rights, nor will the many female members of this forum ever be eligible. I find this talk of "grandfather rights" to be utterly ageist and sexist!
1.5 "The GB Regulations do not prohibit vehicles from being classed as EAPCs if they have "Twist and Go" capability - i.e. vehicles fitted with a motor which can provide power assistance at any time without the rider pedalling (to the extent that such vehicles still meet the criteria in 1.2). However this type of product is now within the scope of EU Regulation 168/2013 and so will need to be type or individually approved for use on roads."
We are still waiting for the DfT to clarify how it can still be an EAPC and yet need type approval.The type approval exemptions are clear that if it is an EAPC it doesn't need type approval. Conversely if it needs type approval it can't be an EAPC.
We are still waiting for the DfT to clarify how it can still be an EAPC and yet need type approval.The type approval exemptions are clear that if it is an EAPC it doesn't need type approval. Conversely if it needs type approval it can't be an EAPC.
Last edited:
True Hoppy, but the DfT are stating that they intend to accept a throttle bike free of other regulation if it conforms to EAPC in all other respects, just so long as it's been type approved.
That is because they've adapted the old EAPC law rather than changing to the EU pedelec laws, and the old law does permit throttles. The only reason to insist on the type approval is that 168/2013 which has been adopted requires it.
The important thing to note is that 168/2013 does not specify what a pedelec is, it merely exempts that which accords to the pedelec conditions, not the same thing at all.
.
That is because they've adapted the old EAPC law rather than changing to the EU pedelec laws, and the old law does permit throttles. The only reason to insist on the type approval is that 168/2013 which has been adopted requires it.
The important thing to note is that 168/2013 does not specify what a pedelec is, it merely exempts that which accords to the pedelec conditions, not the same thing at all.
.
Last edited:
P.S. to the above, added 15.55, 25th February:
The new EAPC regulations have passed through the committee stage in parliament, and minister Claire Perry included the following statement in her report:
There is one more point to respond to. The twist and go classifications will be permitted up to 15.5 mph. A vehicle under that limit will be designated as an EAPC, because it is considered to be a benefit to elderly and less able people. Any twist and go vehicle that can achieve a speed above that will be classified as a moped. Also, an information plate defining what an EAPC is will be fitted on vehicles, so hopefully there will be no doubt about that.
That secures the position, twist and go pedelecs will be permitted as legal EAPCs if type approved. That leaves the question of home constructed e-bikes with throttles, but the Type Approval regulation 168/2013 includes a mention that member countries will be able to provide for single vehicle approval in line with that legislation.
.
The new EAPC regulations have passed through the committee stage in parliament, and minister Claire Perry included the following statement in her report:
There is one more point to respond to. The twist and go classifications will be permitted up to 15.5 mph. A vehicle under that limit will be designated as an EAPC, because it is considered to be a benefit to elderly and less able people. Any twist and go vehicle that can achieve a speed above that will be classified as a moped. Also, an information plate defining what an EAPC is will be fitted on vehicles, so hopefully there will be no doubt about that.
That secures the position, twist and go pedelecs will be permitted as legal EAPCs if type approved. That leaves the question of home constructed e-bikes with throttles, but the Type Approval regulation 168/2013 includes a mention that member countries will be able to provide for single vehicle approval in line with that legislation.
.
Related Articles
-
MTF Enterprises announces acquisition of EMU Electric Bikes- Started by: Pedelecs
-
Wisper 806T folding bike wins Which? ‘Best Buy’- Started by: Pedelecs
-
Sustrans calls for protected cycle lanes- Started by: Pedelecs
-
Amazon launch their first UK e-cargo micromobility hub- Started by: Pedelecs
