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Saw something similar in Belgium number plates and lights. So more e-motor bike than e-bike
Hmm well I hope I never see one of those on the trails. I'm all for it as an enabler for transport and all that (but with a flashing warning so you know not to try chasing them down) but these look to be heading more to electric dh bikes.
As much as I hate saying it the area needs a very close eye and regulations kept tight to make sure we don't end up with heavy underbraked dangerous bikes out there.
Why the obsession with eBikes on this forum?
I have only ever come across one where I ride and found it good fun keeping up with it.
Saw one coming out of Leigh Woods a few months ago. Had to double-take as I assumed it was a motorbike to start. I suppose it is - just an electric motorbike.
I have only ever come across one where I ride and found it good fun keeping up with it
I had one pass me going so fast that I thought I'd stopped. I got off my bike to see if my brakes were binding, it turned out I hadn't stopped and I was in fact doing 20km/h. I still have the scars.
It's not the 'next step' in e-bikes because, quite simply, it needs tax, insurance, helmet etc. to be used anywhere that the public have access to.
That law isn't going to change anytime soon,
See today's Sunday times for certain e-bike retailers who are about to get hauled over the coals and their records inspected very closely.
as a one time user of ebikes through illness, and a long time advocate of ebike use is good for people with disabilities and illness, i would give my left arm to have one of those in my shed at this present time in my life...... 😀
It's not the 'next step' in e-bikes because, quite simply, it needs tax, insurance, helmet etc. to be used anywhere that the public have access to.
Apparently not
[url= http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/first-rides-tests/2016/september/first-ride-motorcycle-bultaco-brinco/ ][i]"opt for the restricted version (15.5mph) and it qualifies as a pedelec (electric bicycle) – that means no licence, insurance, tax or MOT"[/i][/url]
Er... no .... motor is 2Kw, not the legal 250W limit.
My gf and I are going to be using these on our holiday in a few weeks in Fuerteventura, it's a tour of the volcano on these bikes.
It looks like a lot of fun and a great way of seeing the volcano when it's 30+ degrees.
I don't think these types of e-bikes should be allowed anywhere near the trails and should be kept to the roads and motocross tracks.
However I do see the benefit of mountain e-bikes if it opens up the sport to more people.
I will report back after the holiday on how good the bultacos are.
Er... no .... motor is 2Kw, not the legal 250W limit.
Er... Yes... If it's restricted to 250w. That's exactly what they do with motorbikes with the overly complex new/young rider nonsense.
Agree I see them as areplacemnt for motorbikes not pedal bikes.
I'm getting a little late summner sun in Greece at the mo and cant help but think electric bikes with solar charging would be perfect out here.
edit: in fact I would buy a vespa lookylikee scooter with two batteries and a solar kit.
I guess I would like them to look more like motorbikes so that people won't associate them as pedal bikes.
E bikes make a lot of sense for commuting when you look at them against cars and public transport.
I would be interested in a sub 1k bike that could average 20mph with little effort - does this exist?
Whoop, whoop, dat's da sounds of da fun police
g5604, nope. Ebikes can't assist you beyond 15mph before they stop being push-bikes. And getting a decent one for a grand isn't that likely.
Er... Yes... If it's restricted to 250w. That's exactly what they do with motorbikes with the overly complex new/young rider nonsense.
No - that doesnt exist as yet.
What the motors stamped with at factory is its output. Doesnt matter if you can restrict it ....which is a pain as most 250watt motors will burn out on prolonged hills under an application i have planned for an Ebike 🙁
I do think these need to go down the Moped route and be insured / licensed about 250watts though. if only there was a way to achieve that atm without going down the almost impossible to achieve IVA route.
Can you not pedal faster than 15mph? Also I have seen 1000w kits, guessing there is no way you will get pulled up for it
Yeah you can pedal faster than the limited power output, but that's on your own steam
until you have an accident i guess..... and then on your head be it .
Also I have seen 1000w kits, guessing there is no way you will get pulled up for it
Id imagine the first time somebody hits a pedestrian on one or something similar it will get messy. I would assume the reason for the power limit is due to safety concerns especially with extra motor and batter weight. You have to draw a line between bike and powered bike.
tbh i think the concern is with the extra speed.
If i hit a pedestrian on the cargo bike when its loaded - it would get messy .... equally if a fat lad on a bike hit a pedestrian it would get messy.
Batterys and motors dont add as much extra weight as you think even at 1000 watts.
how ever a 1000watt motor on a bike could do inexcess of 45mph continuously till the battery dies - your PPE on the bike isnt set up for those speeds at all.
True, it's all a combination and as seems the way these days people just try and sneak stuff in via the least regulated path. The main problem I see is regular bikes being bundled up in restrictions if people are dicks.