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"EU's electric bike rule changes slammed by Bicycle Assocation boss"
(6 posts)-
Posted 12 years ago #
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In short - increase motor torque (not speed) and let people stop pedalling without having to get type approval, a driving licence and motorbike helmet.
I'm trying to work out why the Bicycle Association (or rather their members) think they're going to lose money on this, which is the only real explanation for such a tirade.
The bikes are still limited to 15mph, and in the case of e-bikes (where you don't need to pedal) the weight to 25kg. This makes it almost impossible to identify any imaginable safety concerns in my opinion, that are not already safety concerns with all bikes.
I think the clue comes in sentences like "muddle the clear distinction between pedal cycles and all other road vehicles", which of course are not sold by traditional Bicycle Association members.
I'd bet good money that actual e-bike manufacturers are pretty happy with the changes.
For the benefit of interested bystanders, the controversy is over the following changes (from the horse's mouth):
"Pedelecs with assistance up to 25 km/h would be excluded from the type-approval without specification of a motor output limit. As a result, all 25 km/h pedelecs irrespective of their motor output would become subject to the Machinery and EMC Directive and classified as bicycles instead of mopeds. ETRA has consistently argued that speed and not power is the determining safety factor."
and
"E-bikes, that is bicycles with an auxiliary motor that can propel the vehicle even if the cyclist is not pedalling, would be excluded from the type-approval provided their speed is limited to 25 km/h and their weight to 25 kg. Thanks to the weight limit, these vehicles would in the case of an accident present no more potential risk of injury than a conventional bicycle or a 25 km/h pedelec. Therefore, it is logical to exclude them from the type-approval in order to make them subject to the same regulatory framework as pedelecs 25 km/h."An obvious point that the BA didn't seem to pick up on is that it means cargo bikes or trikes can now be motorised (up to 15mph) where before they would have been over the limit. Providing pedalecs and not e-bikes, in that nomenclature.
Since you can easily propel such a bike to 15mph on the flat regardless of assist, what it really means is that they will become much better at climbing, and we might see a lot more work bikes in due course?
Posted 12 years ago # -
I did a little back-digging and BikeRadar have coverage on this issue from earlier in the year: "Conventional bike lobby against e-bikes".
However I'm not sure that I can really believe safety would motivate an industry lobby group to act this way (especially as the changes aren't really significant in terms of safety, as discussed).
There must be some money in it somewhere. Do they fear an upsurge in cycling, but where the money is going to new manufacturers rather than the old ones?
Posted 12 years ago # -
From his letter:
"China, in particular, is manufacturing cheap “twist and go” bikes in large quantities, and the impact of the adoption of this amended regulation by the EU Parliament would – assuming that it was followed by the DfT in due course – very quickly have an effect on Britain’s roads. Hence the significance of drawing it to your attention now."
So, they are concerned basically about the market being flooded with cheap e-bikes, undercutting their pricier and (presumably) better quality products?
Posted 12 years ago # -
There's the nub, much better with the status quo, if they can buy cheap e-bikes, do a quick few mods to restrict them to UK rules and sell them on at a good markup with a fresh set of decals on...
Posted 12 years ago # -
"China, in particular, is manufacturing cheap “twist and go” bikes in large quantities, and the impact of the adoption of this amended regulation by the EU Parliament would – assuming that it was followed by the DfT in due course – very quickly have an effect on Britain’s roads. Hence the significance of drawing it to your attention now."
Ironically, cheap non-electric bikes are also being manufactured in the far East and are being sold by Bicycle Association members. Hi-ho...
Posted 12 years ago #
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