Pedelecs that have powered assistance to a maximum of 25 km/h (15.5 mph) using a motor of no more than 250 Watts rated output are considered bicycles. Type approval is not required.
British law does not coincide with European law,
in Europe 250W motors are allowed whereas in the UK we are currently
restricted to 200W. The DfT have announced that the UK will eventually
align with Europe law and will also permit
250W this is expected to happen by mid 2013. We have been told that the
police will not be targeting electric bikes that have motors of not
more than 250W. As far as we are aware no prosecutions have taken place
of anyone riding a 250W motored electric bike in the UK. We also
understand that EU law always takes president over local laws.
en15194
The
official standard for electric bikes is now in force across Europe and
will eventually be mandatory in the UK too. All bikes complying to
EN15194 are deemed to be safe and fit for purpose. All Wisper bikes
conform to this standard and have been issued with certificates of
compliance from the SGS laboratories Geneva. Copies of these
certificates are available on application.
To remain exempt from motor vehicle legislation, an electric bicycle must comply with the following:
power and speed
Maximum rated motor power 250W (200W in the UK)
Maximum speed with power assistance 25kph (15mph in the UK)
assistance
In
most of Europe the motor can only legally work when the pedals are
turning forwards, in the UK this is not the case and will not be unless
full EC regulations come into force. If the new UK laws outlaw throttle
control this will NOT be backdated. However our latest intelligence is
that the UK may keep the throttle. BEBA is working hard towards this
goal.
throttle control
Throttles
operating independently of the pedals, enabling a bike to be ridden
on power only are legal in the UK under the 1982 EAPC regulations. They
are illegal under European regulations if they enable the bike to be
propelled at more than 6kph without the pedals turning forward.
Throttles operating under the dictates of pedelec control, only permitting regulation of power while peddling forward are legal everywhere in Europe and the UK.
weight
Maximum weight 40 kilos or 60kg for a tandem or tricycle. (UK)
cycle standards
All bikes must comply with existing pedal cycle standards.
legal age
A rider must be at least 14 years old to ride an electric bike. (UK only)
brakes
The power to the motor must be cut automatically when the brakes are applied if the bike is fitted with an independent throttle.
accuracy
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