http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=746&page=364#post-283256
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
"The electric bike is not a short-term trend"
(501 posts)-
Posted 5 years ago #
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https://www.bikebiz.com/news/bikes-need-3rd-part-insurance-in-eu
EU Directive will require e-bikes to have specific motor-insurance..
Posted 5 years ago # -
What a terrible idea.
Since I use my e-bike as just a bike about 80% of the time, do I only need 20% insurance?
Posted 5 years ago # -
As a result of the VNUK decision anything with a motor (golf trolley, kiddies toy cars, lawnmowers etc) will have to have third party insurance cover. Absolute nonsense, but in the context I don't see how a powered bicycle could or should be exempted.
It just needs the Motor Insurance Directive to be reworded to prevent all this but since the demise of the main proponent in Europe nothing seems to be happening.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Finally, a silver lining (very very very thin one) to not being in the EU? ;)
#ducks
Posted 5 years ago # -
You've forgotten that we have adopted wholesale the EU rules, almost the first move after the vote, and entirely negating one of the potential benefits.
Changing that could be a lengthy process.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Indeed, but at the moment this hasn’t been adopted, it’s essentially still a recommendation.
(Though I’d take this over Brexit)
Posted 5 years ago # -
we have adopted wholesale the EU rules
They haven't quite done that yet. Many a slip twixt draft and statute book too. Could yet just be a total free-for-all at 23h00 on 29/03/2019 with me driving about all drunk on an uninsured lawn mower shouting crazy stuff willy-nilly.
Posted 5 years ago # -
In northern Ireland electric bike users are meant to have insurance, helmet and registration but has anyone been prosecuted, would this law be taken any more seriously
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/electric-bikes-electrically-assisted-pedal-cycles
Posted 5 years ago # -
The VNUK decision is legally binding on the UK at the moment though we won't be given forever to bring it in to play (though the insurance industry thinks it is unworkable, strangely, given it is an open chequebook for them).
Posted 5 years ago # -
The vnuk May be legally binding in princple but not legislated yet in uk,the rules in Ni are already legislated but largely ignored.
Posted 5 years ago # -
“
You need a motorcycle licence to ride any electric bike in Northern Ireland, and the bike must be registered, taxed and insured.
“Why?
How did it come about??
Posted 5 years ago # -
Posted 5 years ago #
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https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/13m-for-electric-bike-revolution-in-scotland/
"Two new funds are being announced to encourage more people to start using electric bicycles, particularly for shorter journeys.
The Low Carbon Transport Loan Fund will have £500,000 available for interest-free loans of up to £3,000 to help individuals and businesses purchase e-bikes and e-cargo bikes.
The E-bike Grant Fund will allocate £700,000 for local authorities, public sector agencies, community organisations, colleges and universities to encourage large scale e-bike adoption. It is expected grants will fund e-bike pools, secure cycle parking and safety equipment.
"Posted 5 years ago # -
@unhurt "...e-bike pools..."
Posted 5 years ago # -
Wow. Never thought I'd hear Fergus Ewing say such words. Must be the 'e' factor.
Posted 5 years ago # -
interest-free loans
Not grants, then?
Posted 5 years ago # -
Had a shot on @gembo's leccy steed. [Rule 2]. Game changer.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Interest-free loans on e-bikes, yet £5000 of free money for e-cars. 'Bout says it all really...
Pathetic.
Posted 5 years ago # -
“
"I have had Raleigh bikes all my life, I am now 62 in my youth I cycled around England and stayed in YouthHostels. During my middle years I moved away from cycling due to other commitments but now I am retired my thoughts turned to returning to cycling. I decide to purchase a new Raleigh bike as I felt the build quality far outweighed the cheap Chinese imports. After some deliberation I purchased a Rayleigh Pioneer E Bike. The bike is fantastic and has reintroduced me the world of cycling. I never realised how much I missed it and now do all my local travelling by bike."
https://www.raleigh.co.uk/my-raleigh-my-story/johns-pioneer-electric/
Think that this is an increasingly common experience.
“build quality far outweighed the cheap Chinese imports”
Of course cheap is the key word there.
Don’t know where Raleigh makes it’s bikes these days, but it certainly isn’t Nottingham!
Posted 5 years ago # -
Don't know about Raleigh...
Dawes favour Cambodia now. Long gone are the days of classic Chinese Dawes models ;-)Posted 5 years ago # -
Not just for older/unfit people.
This is owned by 30ish mother - with extra assistance from 2 1/2 yo.
Posted 5 years ago # -
If I have understood correctly pedelecs are only allowed to have 250W motors in them. Can anyone tell me what this means for bikes such as the Urban Arrow which have 4-500W motors. Are the legal as pedelecs or do they need to be registered as motor vehicles?
Posted 5 years ago # -
Your understanding is correct.
http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/electric-bike-guides/uk-electric-bike-law/
Some electric bikes are currently sold in the UK with motors that continuously deliver power of more than 250W however. These bikes do not comply with either the EU or UK law appertaining to EAPCs. They are considered motor vehicles under law and require type approval.
All electric bikes with motors rated more powerful than 250W are required to display a tax disc, with insurance mandatory and with the vehicle registered. It needs to display a number plate and carry an MOT certificate. Any rider of such a vehicle must hold a current driving licence and keep to the laws appertaining to mopeds. Anyone found riding an electric bike with a motor more powerful than 250W rated power without the correct documentation is liable to be prosecuted by the police. The rider will be open for prosecution for driving without a licence, driving without insurance, driving an unlicensed vehicle etc. If the person riding such a vehicle has a current driving licence and is prosecuted, they will receive penalty points and may even be banned from driving any motor vehicle.
Derestriction, ‘off-road’ switches or modes and dongles
The Department of Transport say that electric bikes fitted with off-road switches or modes, that enable a bike’s motor to continue assisting to speeds beyond 15.5mph, do not comply with UK EAPC law. The term ‘off-road’ suggests that these bikes can be ridden on parkland, forests or other places away from main roads, which isn’t accurate. E-bikes with increased motor power (continuous rated power above 250w) or increased speed (with motor assistance not cutting out at 15.5mph) cannot be used legally as bicycles anywhere on land accessible by the public; when riding on private land you would need permission from the landowner.
(That latter doesn't seem to stop some members of the pedelecs forum from posting tales illegal of derring-do on their unregistered electric motorcycles.)
Posted 5 years ago # -
Posted 5 years ago #
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Interesting. I've always thought of G-Tech as one of those companies that sells electrical goods of dubious utility in the back of the Sunday Telegraph colour supplement... Glad to know that's not (always) the case.
Posted 5 years ago # -
Posted 5 years ago #
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An electric bikes episode of Fully Charged https://youtu.be/nvx3hRDnAxA
Posted 5 years ago # -
So the G-tech weighs in at 16kg, positively featherlight for an ebike therefore might be easier to actually pedal unassisted than many others.
However the lack of gearing (the rear hub motor does everything) does worry me a bit.. if that went kaput are you limping home on a heavy single speed?
Posted 5 years ago # -
Oh, good spot. Yes, I think you would be.
I came across this while channel-hopping last night. Quite a hefty beast but with 21 gears. I'm not entirely sold on the battery position cos it prevents putting a rear rack on. However, I have to say if I were in the market for a new e-bike, this would be tempting for the price: https://www.idealworld.tv/gb/pp/elife-la-grande-21sp-36v-250w-electric-folding-bike-26inch-wheel-458488
Posted 5 years ago #
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