http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Anyone know about the e-bike? en Wed, 13 May 2026 01:48:36 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19655#post-308707 Thu, 13 Jun 2019 16:35:29 +0000 ejstubbs 308707@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Ed1: <em>If sold after that date throttle can only work up to 3.7 mph.</em></p> <p>Hadn't thought of it before, but presumably the walk mode on my Bosch-motored eMTB must be limited to that, since you don't have to pedal to get it to work. I'm unlikely ever to check its top speed, largely because I can never remember how to engage it! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19655#post-308693 Thu, 13 Jun 2019 15:18:57 +0000 ejstubbs 308693@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@IWRATS: MoT is not needed until the vehicle is three years old. For older bikes, a lot of bikers swap the OEM exhaust back on just for the MoT. AFAIK ECU remaps are not (yet) covered by the MoT.</p> <p>Insurance is not invalidated <u>if</u> the modification has been declared to the insurer and they've agreed to cover it. Even if it hasn't, AIUI it would only be an issue if it could reasonably be argued to have been a contributory factor in the incident. (I believe insurers are <u>not allowed</u> to decline cover on the basis on an undeclared modification which was not relevant to the incident being claimed for.)</p> <p>So in insurance terms you might get away with a loud exhaust (wouldn't pass MoT) which doesn't increase power, but an undeclared remap of the ECU (which currently would pass MoT, but likely won't at some point in the not-to-distant) would very likely be a problem if the incident was speed related, but not for a theft claim (and how would they know anyway?)</p> <p>I reckon neddie has it right, though. A pedelec with a 500W motor and throttle would be illegal to ride on the road without putting it through the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_vehicle_approval">Individual Vehicle Approval</a> process, which would likely require it to have things like regulation-spec mudguards at the very least. It would also require a minimum of third party insurance <u>for a motor vehicle</u> (because it's not a bicycle - I doubt any of the regular bicycle insurers would want to have anything to do with the bike, or any claim involving it). So in the event of an incident you could certainly be done for not having insurance, and you might find yourself with a hefty personal injury costs bill too (though that would probably end up being covered by the uninsured losses scheme, because motor vehicles). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19655#post-308658 Thu, 13 Jun 2019 10:58:59 +0000 davidsonsdave 308658@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>zero prospect of enforcement against a non-conforming e-bike</em></p> <p>Being in a crash in a bike that isn't street legal didn't go well for Charlie Alliston. I suspect that it is only a matter of time before there is a media frenzy over some incident involving an ebike. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19655#post-308654 Thu, 13 Jun 2019 10:32:42 +0000 I were right about that saddle 308654@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A large proportion of race-replica motorcycles on the road aren't fully legal because MoT and insurance are invalidated by after-market exhaust and ECU systems. Never, ever heard of anyone getting done for that after a crash. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19655#post-308653 Thu, 13 Jun 2019 10:32:27 +0000 Ed1 308653@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>If bought before January 2016 and came with a throttle can still be used. If sold after that date throttle can only work up to 3.7 mph.<br /> <a href="https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/product-news/electric-bikes-uk-law-234973" rel="nofollow">https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/product-news/electric-bikes-uk-law-234973</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19655#post-308651 Thu, 13 Jun 2019 10:17:49 +0000 jdanielp 308651@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Are UK e-bikes allowed any throttle control? I had assumed that they are restricted to power-assisted pedalling only. I forgot to report that I spotted somebody 'cycling' west up Dalry Road on an e-bike on Sunday evening without any pretence at pedalling. They were also cycling one-handed, using their other hand to keep a sombrero on their head. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19655#post-308650 Thu, 13 Jun 2019 10:02:03 +0000 neddie 308650@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>zero prospect of enforcement against a non-conforming e-bike</em></p> <p>Unless you get in a crash. In which case...</p> <p>Boom... 6 points on your driving licence &amp; a fine for driving without insurance </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19655#post-308647 Thu, 13 Jun 2019 09:57:05 +0000 I were right about that saddle 308647@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Worth noting that there is of course currently zero prospect of enforcement against a non-conforming e-bike. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19655#post-308638 Thu, 13 Jun 2019 09:21:17 +0000 neddie 308638@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Check if it's legal to ride in Canada. This is what we would call a speed-pedelec in the UK (not a e-bike).</p> <p>A 500W motor and 20mph max speed would be illegal in the UK unless registered with the DVLA &amp; insured, and even then, not legal on cyclepaths.</p> <p>250W max motor and 15.5mph max speed is what's required in the UK for it to be considered a bike. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19655#post-308619 Thu, 13 Jun 2019 07:18:00 +0000 gembo 308619@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Lot of dollars. Quite high spec and battery seems good. Combination of pedalling and throttle makes it more sensitive but also maybe more to go wrong</p> <p>Aside from price it also appears to have the motor in the rear wheel? Most modern bikes I have seen the motor moved to the cranks/pedals and this is reported as feeling more stable and helps make attending to p word issues easier.</p> <p>Ride before you buy </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19655#post-308615 Thu, 13 Jun 2019 06:31:12 +0000 SRD 308615@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Friend in Canada looking for advice on choosing an e-bike. Is this make /model a good choice? </p> <p><a href="https://www.redbike.ca/product/pedego-ridge-rider-48v-14ah-1129.htm" rel="nofollow">https://www.redbike.ca/product/pedego-ridge-rider-48v-14ah-1129.htm</a> </p>