The electric bike law that HAS to change
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- Опубликовано: 26 июн 2024
- Electric bikes are SO good. We love them, we know you love them - but unfortunately there's one regulation currently that might be stopping them from being solution to mass urban mobility.
Eilis grabs her e-bike, and tells all on a ride across London.
Let us know what you think! Is this a change you would like to see?
Interested in buying an e-bike or an e-scooter? Check out our brand new shop - www.electroheads.com
Want to hear more about the bike Eilis is riding? Check out her latest vid! • The IDEAL e-bike for f...
Intro 0:00
Let's ride 1:08
The rules at the moment 1:24
But what about normal bikes!? 3:09
Safety implications vs. vehicles 5:54
Keeping pedestrians safe 7:55
BUMP UP THE NUMBER 9:28
WE can do it 10:24
E-Bikes can change lives 10:54
Closing thoughts 11:26
#ebike #rant #uk #electricbike
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As a electric bike rider I agree with the 20mph limit but what I fail to understand is why you plug scooters that are after all illegal
Class 3 bikes are allowed up to 28 mph.
@@mickrowe1600 I don't agree with an increase to 20mph limit. E-bikes require no licence, so effectively you can get a teenager on an E-bike going down the street at 20mph. What Electroheads failed to mention in the maths is that going from 15mph to 20mph increases your impact energy(damage if in an accident) by 77%. Cars are allowed to go faster because they have a license to prove that they past the safety test of driving at such speeds. It might be nicer for responsible adults to go a little faster but it is less safe for kids. E-bikes are designed to make cycling easier. It's not an excuse to go beyond your capabilities without a license. Those who want to go faster should get a license to prove that they can do so safely, like the rest of the responsible adult population.
Absolutely agree, I got an e-bike when Arthritis set in in my knees, I used to ride a Mountain bike and a road bike up until that point and still do socially, I mainly use the ebike as a commuter.
The change to the eBike was so weird, on the other bikes I would average 15 to 17 mph on a ride which means I would be travelling at 20+mph to get that average up after all the stops for junctions and traffic lights etc, on the eBike when I hit that 15.5mph and the bike stops assisting even in the ECO mode which I generally use to extend my range, it just feels like your are going up hill with two flat tyres, you are still doing 15.5mph but feels so wrong, I thought I would get used to it but after nearly three years I have not, and with that pretty much being your max speed the average is generally down to 10 to 12 mph or less.
So I agree and always have done 18 to 20mph limit would be more sensible on the road, however I think it should be 8mph on a none segregated shared cycle/pedestrian pavement.
I personally would pay a road tax for the bike, towards improvements for cyclists, but the problem with that is it would put too many people off cycling when we need to be get more in the saddle.
I think you should, but also add a noise maker pointing in front.
Trivia: The 20 mph limit in the US was chosen because that is an average speed an athletic person can ride a bike.
I live in Romania, EU here as well, but the jungle/wild part of it, no one really enforces that ebike speed limit regulation (as many other rules as well), the infrastructure is almost non-existent, so yeah, I ride my ebike derestricted and indeed, found out that the average speed I consistently have during my commutes and whatnot is around 32 km/h, so that 20mph indeed. Ofc, I also have the advantage of unlimited assistance for peak scenarios when I am above that, but I have to admit I’d really be less inclined to derestrict if the limit here was similar to the one across the ocean.
But there are few of them in US right? 42% are obese.
That's coming down soon to match ours.
Stupid laws made by stupid people
As a rural e-bike commuter, I'm with you completely. And here's the main reason why.
The average dog can sustain a speed of 19mph.
Anyone who's cycled in the countryside will understand. It's really not a joke.
Dogs can exceed 30mph. That's the legal limit in many rural areas ;)
Also they chase bikes, cars, horses, cows.
It's instinct. They had it ever since they were wolves chasing buffalo.
When cased by doggos don't speed up, slow down. Even stop for a moment, Show them you're not pray, show you're not scared. Don't scream. Talk. Firmly, calmly. 99% of the time they will stop and walk the other way mumbling doggo swears.
1% of the time you can use a pepper spray for the really dummy ones. It will hurt, hurt a lot but the doggo might learn a valuable lesson and live longer.
Don't puff your own face, it will end in tears.
I love animals, never hit or sprayed any except once, a really dumb sheppard that had his pack behind him. Once in almost 40 years of cycling and walking the wild and the country side.
And when I'm barked at and chased by dogs while cycling, my *only* fear is for the dog. If it bites my tire his teeth are gone, maybe the jaw, maybe his skull or if it gets hit by a car while fixating on me.
@ Unfortunately, pepper spray (even as an animal deterrent) is illegal in Britain.
The 19 mph speed for dogs comes from a RUclips source about escaping dogs, and seems about right as far as I can tell from observation. That's about the speed they start to struggle. Though admittedly that's hardly a definitive source.
@@angharadhafod we're talking about Welsh Corgi here, right? :)
I was looking at the speedometer and at the pooch with my own eyes not on YT when I noted that speed.
And that was a pooch not a bred whippet or hound.
And if you live on the island you really have less to worry. Doggos there are far less berserk than here on the continent.
Slow and say something to hurt their ego. It will suffice.
Edit: the car's speedometer*
Order a 1000 watt kit and make sure to display the 250 watt class sticker🤓
But as an urban cyclists living in the Netherlands, i don't think having a horde of exited kids, drunk tourists & hazy elderly people speeding trough the city at 30 miles an hour is a good idea .
I purchased my first e-cycle way back in 2010. However, I've now given up cycling (I'm now 69 yrs old) because where I live in NW England, there are basically no cycle lanes, so I no longer feel safe on the road. We require more cycle lanes here in the UK
Oh move to Denmark then! As now 76 I still uses bikes and we have a lot of lanes only for bikes, also Express lanes crossing Cph. with lights optimized for bikes! And raised to separate them from a road! We have bridges crossing the harbor only for walkers and bikes also, and some following a motorway, crossing water!
In Denmark we are able to buy what is named a "Pedelec", which may ride up to 45 km/h. You must use lights at all times on those, and be at least 18.
In Netherlands to but also registration plate, insurance, road tax , helmet
Very sensible. Here in the UK a child of 14 can ride an eBike. Raising the speed limit of these machines to 20mph must be accompanied by an increase in age limit. Currently anyone 16 or over can ride a 49cc moped so that would be a good starting point. Some form of mandatory training similar to the cycling proficiency test in also needed.
@@damnbrosky same in the UK you can use any size as long as you have registration plate, insurance, road tax , helmet and ofc a driving licence.
Just few peeps in UK have a speed pedelecs because of the cost and insurance and limited to roads only. Might as well get an electric moped.
@@badabing8884 de-restrict your already powerful 25km/h limited ebike. I bought a Flyer Upstreet 2 folding bike, very premium, belt drive, it doesn't make sense for this thing to only drive 25km/h. So now I commute at double the legal speed 50km/h, 28km to and from work. It's also a lease paid by my job so if it breaks it won't hurt my wallet. After a few months of driving like this I finally bought a helmet.
Totally agree! 15.5 mph is a hopelessly low limit for most cylists. I own a lighter e-bike and can easily cruise at 17 mph on the flat but with the current limit, I'd struggle with the heavier e-bikes. Incidentally, I'm 74yrs old and find my e-bike a great help on the hills but sometimes want a faster speed on the flat.
"I own a lighter e-bike and can easily cruise at 17 mph on the flat"
Yep, and that fact makes the whole idea of cutting off motor support after an arbitrary speed "limit", utterly preposterous and logically indefensible.
Just buy a Chinese ebike and you can set the speed to whatever you want. I set mine to 20mph. Got overtaken by another ebike the other day. He must have been going 25mph, so there's many people who do not put up with these dumb UK laws.
That’s awesome you’re still out riding at 74 God Bless. I’m 56 and go 30-50+ miles everytime I take my Ebike out. And I always peddle with it never throttle only. Just to me seems more fun that way!! Hopefully I’ll still be riding at 74 and you when you’re 92. 18 years away. Lol 👍🏼👍🏼
@@jakereal3604 Cheers Jake. I've always exercised, with either running or cycling, so hope I can keep going for a few more years!
You can pedal to go faster.
You make a very valid point. I’m in my 50s and have an electric bike. I built it myself and gave it a higher spec due to mainly riding off road. On the occasion’s that I’m on road , I dial it down and it’s not unreasonable to think there could be a crossover,even if it meant having a test of some kind to validate the use of it. Oh and by the way, as an engineer and musician, the use of the word ,mechanical instead of acoustic makes more logical sense,as “acoustic,”references sound and resonance. Excellent video, keep it up.
Mechanical bikes definitely have a totally different sound. None of that electric motor noise.
Was also wondering about the use of the phrase "acoustic bike"
Pretty sure it's just a playful reference to electric and acoustic guitars.
Electric assistance or
Push bike..
Call them "muscle bikes" lol
In the UK, it makes sense to raise the e-bike assistance limit to 20mph, as most urban areas are adopting a 20mph limit for their streets.
This 20 mph speed limit is the same limit I'm suggesting for e-scooters.
At least 50mph
That makes sense if they keep only to the streets. The issue is Bikes (electric or not) ride everywhere :) Plus doesn't require roud rules examination.
@@simm0l It may be sensible to add speed limits to bike lanes. But I suspect fit riders will object to limits below 20mph.
agreed, 15.5mph is stupidly restrictive. Nanny state influence.
For me the joy of ebikes comes from riding them slowly but having that extra power beside you is very nice specially at traffic lights and signs. And don't forget it's a bicycle after all if you get thrown around it's going to hurt.
Electric bikes are the answer to the congestion problem
Some cites are just not built foe ebikes weather shite infrastructure or just too far of a distance
Plus there is more of an issue of security
@@Matanumi "Some cites are just not built foe ebikes weather shite infrastructure or just too far of a distance"
So what? If you can ride a bike somewhere - and in reality you can ride them _everywhere_ - that automatically means you can also ride e-bikes.
Micromobility in general, but we need the infrastructure.
That's debatable. It depends on if there are cycle lanes or the roads are wide enough. In my area ANY bike can cause traffic to back up right down the road. It's nothing unusual to see 10-20 cars backed up behind a bike. It not only causes congestion but those vehicles produce a lot more emissions than if they had a clear road. I use an electric bike every day to go to my local town about 8 miles away and try as much as possible to avoid the main roads.
@@Matanumi If the Netherlands and Denmark can be full of bikes, why can't British cities? Which city has worse weather than them? There is no such thing as bad weather for cycling, just the wrong clothes. Ask a Dane. It's true that the infrastructure isn't there. So, what? Do you just give up and continue building crazy expensive, inefficient infrastructure for cars? Or do you simply start building infrastructure for bikes? Not hard!
I fully agree with you Eilis and I think Electroheads should start getting a petition up to up the speed limit on electric bikes. I'd sign it.
up the power,15mph is enough
Up the speed limit to 20. Pushbikes are faster, it does not feel as safe to be unable to keep pace with road traffic in 30 or even 20 mph zones.
Oh yeah I'd totally sign the petition btw! Yes!
@@winniepeg2020 it's not enough. 20mph is safer in order to keep up with other traffic and conventional cycles like Eilis said in this video.
@@winniepeg2020 Yep - being able to carry more is more useful to me than going faster.
Our council have just invested £75,000,000 in a new bike path between Eastbourne and Lewes but I don’t have time to ride it at 15mph ! I’ve got to be there quickly
Couldn't agree more! A minimal increase in speed would have a massive benefit (safety primarily) to ebikers. Great vid 👏👏
everyone here has practically passed the limiter, and it's much more pleasant to drive, most of the time below 35 kph. Max with 250W and 18 -gear mtb is around 50 kph.
No matter how fast bikes are, car drivers will always try to overtake, even though we overtake them more often than not... We need secure bike parking in Cities es also
Ha yes I do think many drivers just like to prove a point in the take over
@@Electroheads yes it happens a lot in 20mph zones, even when I'm doing 22 on my normal bike
Yep you can be doing 28 in a 30 zone on a bike and a car will try and overtake.
@@mintywebb its safer to have a bike behind a car than in front . this is Especially true from truckers that can Skid for hundreds of feet after slamming the brakes .
Cars need hard limiters in the city.
Eilis for transport secretary! 👍🏻
Yes!
Definitely best presentation for the 20mph argument I have seen well done 👏
For anything really
As someone from the Netherlands. I don't agree, the problem with the UK is bike infrastructure not top speed.
Range, speed to justify Ebike cost.. But of course better infrastructure.
Totally agree with you . On a business trip to California and zipping around on a hired e-bike at 20 +mph assisted is the way it should be on my Cube back home . Great points made , hopefully they will see sense as it’s a long overdue much needed upgrade to the regs.great videos , I’m subscribing now !
If you want to travel at more than 15 mph on a bike. Then just buy a moped.
E-bikes are part of the solution and way forward, just like acoustic bikes. But what would help maybe even more is to improve your infrastructure for cyclists. This will also give space for those who want to go faster, with our without e-assist, and make it much safer for all. Enjoy your ride!
I went turkey recently and its insane they literally have an entire footpath made specially for bicycles and electric bikes and they literally just rent out electric bikes. Its insane a country like the UK doesnt have any of that but worst of all it's illegal to own one for some reason unless you get it from one of the designated e bikes
dutch? cuz at the starts shes saying that its hard to commute on a standard bicycle, and thats something i as a dutch person simply cannot understand.
@@supersonic4863Parts of the UK have a lot of very steep hills. Take Bristol for example, and on a ride up to Cliveden, you will emerge in a ball of sweat on a moderately warm day. The same is true where I live in the Cotswolds. However, if you go to Oxford, or Cambridge, which are essentially flat and have a lot of bicycles, then it is not such an issue. The same is true of much of London, although that is a much larger place, so distances are longer.
First of all, I'm from the Netherlands. It's well known that our cycling infrastructure is one of the, if not the best in the world. As someone who has travelled these cycling paths for all his life (31 now), I can say that e-bikes (together with mopeds which have the same speed-limit on cycling paths) generally are more dangerous than regular bicycles.
Main reason is, the cycling commuter goes about 14-18 km/h (8.7-11.2 mp/h), whereas the e-bikes and mopeds will usually go about 25 km/h. This is a pretty big difference.
Now the UK does not have a cycling infrastructure as good as the Netherlands, as far as I know, the UK is working on this. Maybe for now you might want faster bicycles so you can compare to the faster vehicles on the same road (cars on roads with no separate cycling lanes), but in the future this may be a lot less so as the cycling infrastructure increases.
In the Netherlands we also have a separate e-bike category in speed-pedelecs, these can go up to 45 km/h (28mph), but these are not allowed on cycling paths, and require you to have a drivers license for either cars, motorcycles, or mopeds. You are also required to wear a helmet.
Also, statistics have proven that accident rates have increased in the last 10 years, because of e-bikes. There are also more ICU admissions in accidents relating to e-bike drivers (because they go so fast).
For now, from what I can gather, in the UK, you may want to increase the speed-limit slightly to compensate for the non-separated cycling paths. But as cycling infrastructure continues to grow, it may be good to have it reduced again.
I suppose you don't HAVE to go the top speed. If people are trundling along at 10 mph, then trundle along with them if it's only a short trip. If the path is made more for "slow ride! take it easy!" then that's what you do or pick the road with the cars if you want to go car speeds. On the open and infrequently used sections you can do the full 20 mph or whatever. I've done 25 on shared use paths when everyone has gone home (but still wanted to be wary of the occasional pedestrian), but when they are busy 10-15 is usually max. I do agree though that you have to make allowances for the throttle happy teenagers who make no allowances for road or path conditions, who won't trundle their S pedelec but will try and overtake all the slower cyclists and weave in and out at 28 mph.
The 45 km/h e-bikes go on the bike path same as other cycles here in Denmark, and we don't have no stinkin license plates. From 15-17 you need a moped or higher license, from 18 up, you don't need a license, and many drunk drivers have switched to speed pedelecs after losing their car license. 3rd party insurance is required.
Nah, in the UK we cycle around 21km/h (-/+1km/h) on acoustic bikes. Increasing the speed limit makes sense.
UK badly needs S-class, even if it had slightly more restrictions. This is partly due to poor infrastructure forcing cyclists to mix it with fast motor traffic, but also there's a lot of hills.
I notice in 2023, that there was a huge increase (30%) in cycling fatalities, of whom an astonishing 50% are over the age of 60. It seems that many are pointing the finger at eBikes, especially when ridden by the more elderly, as they can now ride much faster with less effort. It is a sad reality, that as you get older, an accident that might mean just a few bruises to a young person can be much more serious to an older one. Bones are weaker, muscle mass less and powers of recovery reduced.
In a somewhat amazing statistic, in 2023 there we fractionally more Dutch cyclists killed per billion km than in the UK. However, we have to be careful on that as Dutch cyclists are, on average, considerably older than in the UK, where cycling is more a sports and leisure pursuit of the young and middle-aged, and not the elderly.
I commute everyday on "Acoustic" bike (which I love by the way) but there are days when it's wet, windy, or your not feeling particularly fit and the very good point you made regarding turning up to work a bit sweaty and having to do the 5 minute cool down walk, when I think an electric bike would be nice at this point... My only resistance to buying one is literally, the "resistance" once you reach the artificial power assist limit.
250w is stupid low.
I feel for you guys.
My 1500w motor barely keeps up on 30mph roads
Flat roads no elevation
The assistance speed limit isn't a speed limit for the e-bike.
Indeed... Most electric bike motors have negligible resistance when providing no assistance or when going over their limit. It's just that riding a normal bike at 25 km/h (15.5 mph) by pure muscle power is NOT that easy.
Especially if you are used to having assistance...
I have a Gazelle NL in the USA. The motor helps up to 20mph, but can pedal it on level up to about 35mph. It's a good workout. Just pedal harder 😅
I am 63 years old, live in Canada and commute 36km daily. My Bosch-powered class 1 e-bike tops out at 32km. I regularly exceed that on a level road by just pedaling harder… no problem. I think 32km is a realistic speed limit, so agree completely that these speed limits need to be reviewed in the UK/Europe; but also to ban throttle e-bikes (classes 2 and 3) from using bike lanes.
I totally agree. Even if we kept the same speed limit but got allowed to have bigger motors it would be great as well. I am a big guy and working in construction. I drive around 25miles per day in and out of London. I also carry a toolbag which weights 20kg. Its a real struggle sometimes especially on a hill and i can feel the pain of the 250w motor trying to push a mixed load of 150kg up a hill. 😂😂😂
Absolutely agree, motor size dosent matter when a a speed limit is in place. I have had a 250w bike about 12 years ago, it was weak and didn't offer any assistance upo hills because the bike weighed 35kg, that coupled with a 36v battery that only lasted a year. in my opinion 1000w 48v bike is just right as long as its coupled with hydraulic brakes. 20mph should be the limit 15 is just dangerous in some situations and is slower than most would pedal a standard pushbike.
Its crazy nearly every other country just allows insanely fast fully electric e bikes with no insurance and stuff and the UK just doesn't let you have anything that isnt speed limited and pedal assist only
Also in the US there is class 3 ebikes in some states that let you go up to 28mph on petal assistance.
I guess that they call that "flower power".
There are S-Pedelecs in Germany, which are capped much higher. Nur they are not classified as bikes, they are classified as small motorcycles (Moped). So a licenseplate to prove the mandatory insurance is needed and no use of bikelanes unless especially allowed.
To be clear, each state (and sometimes individual municipalities) has its own e-bike laws. I think 38 states have now adopted some form of the 3 class system promoted by People for Bikes. So it is pretty common, but not quite universal.
In at least a few states, class 2 and 3 e-bikes are not allowed on bikeways. They are allowed only on roadways that allow cars.
We also have pedelecs in Belgium which can go 45kph, the bikes have a small number plate on the rear and they have extra regulations.
Definitely agree. I bought a cheap 250w Chinese ebike last summer and it has absolutely changed my life. But of course it could be better. 750w, a 20mph speed limit and around 50nm of torque (I live in the Outer Hebrides, which is not the flattest topography in the world) would be smarter, safer and, quite frankly, better.
Bosch motors are 250w continuous but up to 850w peak, so plenty powerful enough, their high speed versions do 28mph but are still rated at 250w, up to 85nm torque.
@@ratbert1 indeed the whole 250watt max is none issue, there are many 85nm, 90nm and even 100nm models around as long as they follow the 25km/h drop off point. i own a 80nm and 85nm ebikes and almost never use more than 50% of their power.
@@ratbert1 I'd say the 25kph cut-off is a bigger issue than the power limit in most situations (assuming you're not riding a loaded cargo bike up a 10% gradient for example). That cut-off affects (almost) everyone, everywhere.
I also bought a Chinese ebike but mine is 500W and goes 20mph. 20mph is about ideal.
@@ratbert1 The problem with Bosch is they make it difficult to unrestrict the motor. You're better off avoiding Bosch and going for a Chinese make as they will allow you to unrestrict it.
Legislators main role in the UK is to keep joe average under the thumb first and foremost not to make us feel free and empowered! Facts , data and logic don’t really come into the equation! Hopefully your words will reach someone willing to apply common sense and actually do what we pay them to do which is to assist us and not hinder our lives!! Great video 👍
I totally agree.
Maybe an enhanced class could be brought in for driver's licence holders over 16.
There was a time when mopeds were obliged by law to have pedals, and many of them could barely make 25 mp/h
Pedaling an acoustic bike at 21mph to pass the electric bikes on the rail trail is a good interval workout:)
When I was an active private pilot, there I was flying my powered plane and was overtaken by a glider. Those things are super slippy! :)
As a lifelong cyclist, your entire argument breaksdown over licencing. If eBikes had to be licenced, numberplates and insurance and most importantly "accountability" on the road, then perhaps yes, restrictions could be lifted. BUT, bikes would have to be kept off hte pavements, out of parks, and ridden on roads or cycleways ONLY. The only way that can be inforced is with licencing.
Don't forget that most food delivery cycles have been trialling this new speed limit for years
You've done admirable research, and made very good points. I don't believe the average cyclist can maintain a speed greater than yours, however, unless going downhill.
I am puzzled as to when the word "acoustic" came to be applied to bicycles. What?!!
First time I’ve heard acoustic referring to bikes
It’s a guitar joke.
@Darth Tinderalla Only world-class racers can average over 20 mph on a road bike. The average person will never come close to that, let alone in six months.
@@sharifsalemthanks for the explanation, I did not understand it at first.
Exactly that. 20mph/32kph is ideal speed
I agree seems ridiculous when I can ride my road bike at 35kph. But here in Australia the police don't enforce limits for e-bikes
Love my electric bike .... it got me cycling again after many years of no longer enjoying it. But I'd like a throttle for safely reasons. Crossing a busy dual carriageway with pedal assist only is no joke. So impressed with how articulate you were throughout the video, I couldn't voice over anywhere near as clearly even with a script.😊
You can hear the passion in your voice and I 100% agree. 20mph is perfectly safe for an ebike and makes it a more attractive prospect.
I totally agree with you on this, make it 20mph! We need to get a campaign up for this.
How??? Democracy doesn’t exist.
In Germany there is the vehicle class of a Speed Pedelec (or just S-Pedelec for short), which requires:
- bike with a Vehicle Type Approval
- helmet
- EU class "AM" driving license (the one for mopeds)
- insurance
These bikes assist up to 45 km/h and max 4kW when pedaling and are not allowed on bicycle paths for obvious reasons.
The vehicle type approval ensures that bikes going this fast are actually capable of handling the speed. That means that the frame, the wheels, the brakes and the suspension if any are fit for withstanding the higher stress at higher speeds.
But not being able to use bike lanes can be a limiting factor, especially in rural areas where the only close bridges across the river might be
- the bicycle path (that you can't use because your speedy S-Pedelec is essentially a motor vehicle)
- the Autobahn (that you also can't use because only motor vehicles capable of >60 km/h are allowed on there)
But it's still an interesting mix of a moped and a bicycle
15.5 is OK for me, I can get a lot faster when I choose to put in the effort, but over the last 11K miles, i like to average 10-12 mph.
your so right.ive been moaning about this for the 8 years ive been ebikeing. because of damage to my knees i cant pedal for long these days and missed my cycling. thanks to ebikes im back on the road and enjoying riding again. great vid.
Yes! Completely agree. We're a bit better off here in Canada with Max speed limited to 18.5mph (30kmh) and 500W Max power. It makes a heck of a difference going up steep hills...I would much prefer upping the power to 750W with 20mph. Many manufacturers have models with 1000W.
In the USA I've heard that no matter the stated size of the motor it has to be LIMITED (electronically) to 750 watts. hence the 1000wat motors can be sold as it is the Buyers responsibility to get a controller that limits its power input.
@@daniellow426 Unless you are riding a cargo bike, 750 or1000 W is a total overkill. It is no longer an ebike but an escooter that needs insurance and should be treated as a motorbike.
@@th5841I can cycle 22mph on the flat a 750w motor goes 28mph
On a Fatbike with fat tires and with dual batteries weighing 225lbs then you need 750w + other wise you will just walk hills
@@ihavetowait90daystochangem74 28mph/45km/h is moped speed. It doesn't belong on cycle tracks or -lanes.
Compared to 15.5/25, 28/45 has a kinetic energy 3.3 times more. Then you, in addition, must multiply with the weight ratio between the fatbike and an ordinary bike. All in all you end up with a no go for these kinds of bikes being categorized as bicycles... in the rest of the world.
Even increasing an ordinary ebike's max speed from 25 to 30 km/h gives an increased kinetic energy of 44%.
For most people 25km/h is an normal cruising speed. On a racing bike 35 (22 ) was my cruising speed (not anymore). So if you want to, and you are able to go faster, use a racing bike (and get hated by the rest of bikers if you don't restrict yourself).
I’ve got an ebike at 52v 1500w, never gotten a ticket. Top speed of 70kmh. You just have to abide road rules and not drive like a hooligan in town and nobody really cares. I’m in Canada too btw
For your reference in New Zealand the max power is 300w and max speed with assist is 32kmph or 20mph.
I took,a Sinch Jount 2 for a spin earlier this year and it was fabulous and can be purchased for $4850NZ or around £2540.
There are a few e-bikes legally available in New Zealand now that can go up to 45km/h with assist :)
NYC Brooklyn resident here. I ride the volcon brat max potential speed of 28 mpg, and I still think ebikes should go faster. Around 60 mpg would be nice. It would allow quicker acceleration around double parked cars / hazards and hopefully change the mindset of car drivers from being "oh now I'm stuck behind a bike" to "oh I'm behind a bike that can easily keep up and if there's a bike lane I could easily pass them ".
Being a recent convert to e-bikes, I can see your point about updating the law to allow a larger motor and a greater maximum assisted speed. However, comparing yourself (on an ebike) to someone on a standard cycle could push for laws that could bring in a problem.
Firstly, if you feel that you want to increase the allowed speed for ebikes (whilst in full-assist motor mode) to be comparable to other motorised (petrol / diesel) vehicles, you may find that the new law would compel you to use only the regulated traffic lanes and you may not be able to use cycle / bus lanes and pavements (when allowed). After all, if you can keep up with motorised traffic you should use the appropriate lane. I realise that this could cause a problem regarding feeling "safe" on the general roads, so I don't see this as a solution. This is where the realms of e-scooters (not pedal assist) should be and if you feel the need to go this fast I recommend you look into trying this out as a daily commute.
Secondly, if you feel that a manual cyclist has an issue with you going slower than them on a cycle path, then that is their problem and not yours. Cyclists (both electric and assisted) have a "safe" lane to use. If the faster manual cyclist cannot hold back for a few moments to pass you safely, then they are being as ignorant as the motorist who will not offer the same courtesy on the public highway.
I am an ebike convert and use my bike as a daily commute. My round trip is just 4.5 miles but 99% of this has to be on the public highway. So far I have found the majority of road users to be courteous. I do however make sure that I use lights, hi-vis jacket and stripes on my bike to help them see me. After all, I am a much smaller object to see, especially when it is dark.
It would be great to have a much more powerful motor when I travel home (all uphill) but I take my time and I am happy to get there in a reasonable time. As you say in many of your videos, this is "assisted cycling" and I enjoy getting some work-out while I get there.
My final thoughts are: Upgrading from 15.5mph to 20mph (as a maximum assisted speed) should be fine, but anything over that could bring in more unwanted legislation regarding the current "pedal-assist" ebike laws.
If you want to go faster, get an e-scooter with a throttle, no pedaling and stick on the general roads. Also if the maximum speed for ebikes is increased to 20mph, riders should be aware that many times they are occupying the same routes as pedestrians and they need, in the same way that motorists should be aware, to be alert to slower moving users. I often use a cycle / pedestrian track to go to my local supermarket. I encounter many people with prams, using headphones, with dogs (off a leash) or just stopped for a chat who get in my way. Does that bother me? No. I just ring my bell, slow down and wait to get passed. If you want to be a cyclist, and I think that is a great thing to do, just be aware of the issues you have when traveling on main roads and offer the same courtesy to the slower moving users on designated cycle / pedestrian paths.
Amazing that you can do a fully insightful and seamless presentation whilst cycling through London! Well done 👏
Thank you 🥲
Yeah likewise here - I was impressed at your ability to chat very coherently and without getting distracted whilst pedalling around London! 👏
Indeed!
Going that slow you can do that, and even 20MPH is not that fast, but even living here in Fl. where it is legal to go 28MPH you find most people not really going that fast and only when it is safe to, plus when you start going faster than 20MPH you start to really eat up your battery! 20MPH is a safe and good pace! Also when I started e-biking 20 years ago we had a 20 MPH speed limit and now they raised it to 28MPH, but 20MPH was good for me and you could easily get away with doing 22MPH because that is what my bike could do back then!
you mean instead of concentrating on riding!
Laws aren't made with logic and reason but rather with kickbacks and favours, that is what one must understand about the society we live in.
The UK has left the EU supposedly to be removed from red tape and regulation - this is an opportunity for the UK Goverment to prove this by increasing the ebike speed to 20mph (and power) as per America (who the UK often cite in these kind of discussions).
Agreed! It's so hard to pedal past 15.5 on an electric bike because of motor resistance. Also have you 'Shakespeared' a new word for non electric bikes? I've never heard you call them that before.
Yes it was new to me but Google says it is “a term used with a nod to the difference between an acoustic vs electric guitar. “ Apparently. I wonder if that makes Eilis the modern Dylan?
" It's so hard to pedal past 15.5 on an electric bike because of motor resistance"
Depends on the bike. I get _zero_ resistance beyond 15.5 mph on my Specialized Turbo Levo SL.
(Not disagreeing with the premise of the video - I agree 100% that we should have motor support beyond 15.5 - but I'm a bit of a stickler for accuracy.)
@@keithreeder To be fair it's not the motor resistance, it's the fact that you're suddenly losing whatever assistance the motor is providing (maybe not the full 250w but a good proportion of your own power anyway). I'm pretty sure I could pedal a normal e-bike at 20mph for a while but the transition at 15.5 would still be disconcerting - especially if it happened at a big roundabout or intersection...
She should have just called them traditional bikes.
Push bikes.
I don’t think the limit should be lifted as much as I’d like them too, although 20 mph is a good speed. Although it’s more about the person, not the bike…Too many idiots cycling on unrestricted bikes in cycle lanes. They going far faster then 25/30/35 mph and throttle assisted, and more importantly driven badly in an anti social manner.
If they increase the limit above 20 mph…They shouldn’t be able to use cycle paths
If you want to go fast on an e bike, buy an electric road bike. People are just buying the wrong bikes
Great video. One of the problems here in the US is throttle only riding. People buy an electric bike but become addicted to the throttle and the bicycle becomes a motorcycle. I've seen e bike riders weave around and between baby strollers, elderly citizens with walkers and dogs on leashes. When I want to go faster, I just go out into the roadway and compete with cars. I like to pedal but for some people using the throttle becomes a bad habit.
Yeah - throttles are an odd one. Maybe there should be two classes:
1) Throttle e-bike with no pedals, can only be used on the road
2) Pedal assist, with no throttle - has the same rules as a normal bike
How is a throttle more dangerous though. You're going the same speed, who cares if you're pedaling or not. The only danger is not getting exercise
Yeah, I like my throttle, though I use it sparingly because 1) battery range and 2) one of the points of biking in the first place is to get exercise. But for short bursts, the throttle us hella useful. And to follow up on Mr. Techie's question, one of my uses fir the throttle is navigating severe congestion allowing me to focus my energy on "threading the needle" through congestion.
@@bostonvair Ok. So you are not on a footpath. Take care ..
@@mr.techie8565 The people I'm talking about cannot go the same speed. Their BMI prevents that. They ride on foot paths because they can't handle bike paths and bike lanes.
Idea (given consultation ends this week): Having a full UK driving licence for any class allows you to have 750w/20mph max speed with a throttle (same as USA). Without: 250w/15.5 mph max and no throttle (same as EU). Easy to implement and police, would automatically restrict
The weight of an electric bike shouldn’t really factor in. The weight of two different riders can be drastically more a factor imo. For instance a small female and a large male. Difference can be well over 100lbs. I’m not in the U.K., but would like to chime in that 20mph is the goldilocks speed for these bikes. It’s not so fast 🐇 a speed that you cannot stop safely, but also reasonable enough a speed to feel that it’s not at a snails 🐌 pace either. And I’ve found that at that speed on a rather warm day, it’s sort of a sweet spot speed (20mph) for cooling.
Hadn't seen your post but I've just written basically the same thing. :)
@@djtaylorutube 👍🏻
I agree
I agree with one exception. For non-congested areas, 25 mph is closer to the Goldilocks speed. Even though my bike will do 28 mph, I generally ride at a max of 25 mph unless going downhill. When pedestrians are around, then slower is better.
Love mine. Only had it a few weeks. Here in the States few of our suburban town, cities or counties are very bike friendly so I have been exploring neighborhood streets and greenway bike paths to try to learn ways to get around my community on mine. I also own a motorcycle, car and pickup truck so I am hoping every trip I can do on my electric bike keeps those parked and that hopefully helps to make the planet a better place for all of us. Plus, it's fun to ride too!
Love mine too, there really aren’t very many e bikes in my town so it’s not a problem yet
Here in the U.S., I ride an ebike with a 500 watt hub motor and cargo bags that I use for shopping. My city provides striped bike lanes on many arterials. This class 2 rated bike has a maximum pedal assist speed of 20 mph. The arterial speed limit is mostly 30 mph so I find that the closing rate for auto traffic is comfortable. My wife has the same. She says that her ebike makes her feel safe in places she would have never ridden her non powered bicycle. I love London and hope to rent an ebike on our next visit. Thank you for posting this video.
i am totally agreed with you , we should encourage more people to use e-bike instead of car. Sometimes it is a waste of energy or fuel to have just one person inside the car, we should encourage to use more e-bike to commute from one place to another place when it is nearby
Start the petition!
Yes and yes. So true Eilis! I could do with a bit more power up hills too. I love my R&M and feel free. I would sign any petition you set up.
It's not the speed, it's the power. 250 watts is not enough. 500 watts should be the limit, which means that a bigger voltage/wattage battery can be fitted to give more range.
Bike trails are one thing. But on city streets (30 mph) One should be able to keep up with traffic if needed (35) . Holding up traffic is not safe.
Excellent video and I agree with all the points you make. Here in the Uk they also 'banned' the 'power on demand' throttle. This means the assistance only kicks in once you start pedalling. As a pensioner living in a very hilly area I find this ridiculous. At the precise moment when you need the assistance most, you can't have it. Hill starts are unnecessarily difficult and when there's other traffic about it can be a wobbly and dangerous process.
It sounds like a lot of these problems could be solved with better infrastructure. I'd suggest two types of eBikes:
- Assisted bikes with an assisted limit of 26 km/h / 16mph which lets you pedal faster if you can but backs off so by 26 you're getting no assistance. It'd probably need max power / weight limits, max weights, no throttle, but no need for a helmet or disc brakes.
- Powered bikes that can go up to 50km/h / 20mph that require a helmet and brakes but can have throttles and what have you.
Absolutely agree, it’s my main issue with current ebike regulations too. Many people just don’t/can’t understand the big safety/security difference between 16 and 20 MPH on a bike in urban traffic. You get overtaken a lot more in stop/start traffic at 16 (25kph) than you do at 20. Reducing passes, lowers the potential for being clipped, or pushed into parked cars. 20 is still a long way from moped speeds, which I’m not advocating for, but is far safer than 16.
Yup, that's my biggest gripe with commuting on ebike, not fast enough to merge safely with traffic. 35kmh/22mph should be the limit. Once my warranty runs out I'm fitting a volspeed v4.
Nice vid, totally agree that the assist speed limit should be higher, 20mph would be great but even 18mph is useful
28mph is what I want it to be. I can go faster than that on my road bike so why am I restricted to 15.5mph lol.
The safest speed to travel on a road is the same speed as the rest of them traffic. Making it law that you must travel a lot slower than other traffic immediately makes you more vulnerable. I believe that e-bikes should have the same speed limits as other vehicles - and decent disk brakes.
Great topic. USA has 25 mph speed limit (for cars and everyone else) streets in neighborhoods and downtown urban settings. And we're pushing for speed reductions on many streets following Dutch design leads.
Admittedly, if we are pushing to replace cars in all places, then the longer distances and more rural settings should allow for greater speeds for bikes and micromobility. But with the urban spaces trying to keep acoustic mixing with e-bikes in cycleways we should expect to keep speeds low.
Ideally, we design bike infrastructure to be wide enough to support faster and slower bike traffic. Also ideally, we set limits (or create proper design) for ALL mobility to be slow enough to keep cycling feeling and being safe for all. Unfortunately, no one has a golden formula for cars + 28 mph e-bikes + fast scooters + 20 mph e-bikes + fast road cyclists + slow utility cyclists + messengers and delivery cyclists moving at money-making speeds. We'll do well to plan for a high volume future and allow for a variety of speeds where we can manage it.
25 kph seems like it's limiting folks in UK from performing longer commutes on e-bikes, they might otherwise make. Can we count on people to use their head, and regulate their speed when it's wise to do so? Speeding car drivers tell us no, but most e-bikers will argue at least give us the same benefit of doubt you currently give motorists to self-regulate.
Dutch (and Danish?) street design does have the solution by actually introducing visual cues and traffic design that psychologically induces slowing. BTW, interview Melissa or Chris Bruntlett about this subject if you want to get a planner's point of view on thoughtful bike infrastructure design and why your slow EU e-bike limits might be helping or hindering e-bike adoption in and out of the city.
Maybe this starts with a standardized voluntary 28mph, 20mph, 15.5mph selectable limit on all e-bikes for cyclists to quickly set the speed to match their environment.
In California, we do allow for 28 mph speed pedalecs, but we then limit them to certain bike infrastructure or to use the road (always still an allowable option here). You cannot legally operate a 28mph capable (Class 3) bike on a Class 1 bike path, even if you go slowly. But owners do operate there. We just use our heads (hopefully) and so far, no bike police are stopping us to see if our bikes are overrated and shouldn't be there.
the dutch absolutely hate the dutch policies on transport and safety. so many rules and regulations and pushing even worse; yet very low death rates already. they almost make it mandatory to not leave the house to prevent future road deaths.
Brilliantly articulated! I briefly mention this in my ebike video, but you've expanded upon my thoughts on the speed limit.
I commute in a rural part of North Essex where about one in five car drivers have little regard for slow moving bicycles and thus take risks, putting all road users lives in danger. Being able to go that much faster would be better for all, however I imagine the limit is tied into legal issues around insurance. You are right though, a higher upper limit would encourage more ebike use and that's gotta be a good thing right?
Your proposal seems sensible to me. BTW, the 10% allowance seems to be an urban myth! I did the "speed awareness" course very recently, to avoid a speeding offense. One of the others there was busted for doing 22 in a 20mph zone.
22 in a 20?
Fucking hardcore gangsta u met there
i made my own with a normal bike and its so much better without restrictions.
its a legal 250w motor with a 10ah bottle battery and it moves like the wind....just off the throttle it hits 25 mph if I peddle to I can reach 36 mph with ease.totally agree the motor gets out off fast at traffic lights and gets you out of scrapes.
great video.
If it has a throttle its illegal, also technically motors can't be stated as a 250w or 1000w as motors dont work that way they can only be measured in Newton meters of torque. A stated 1000w motor can be well capable of 2000w given the right battery and controller with a bit of statoroid to keep it cooler
@@robertcharlton4277 ilegal smeagal who cares ive drove past tons of police around here and not one give a shit tbh they no its a stupid law and no there's just thousands of ppl using throttles and electric scooters ...its old news pal no one cares
Yip I know I got 2 e bikes both with throttle for 5 years even stopped and chatted to traffic cops so don't worry I'm with on this
Isn't that actually a moped?
Faster "normal" e-bikes is not the solution, car traffic should be slowed down in cities for everybody's safety. The 30km/h speed limit in city center in Oslo and Helsinki resulting in nearly zero death of pedestrians speaks for itself!
But if you need to go faster in the EU and Switzerland there are speed-pedelecs that has a speed limit of 45km/h. The speed-pedelec needs to have a signalhorn , a brake light and license plate , insurance and a permit ( at least in Sweden) . They are not allowed on bike lanes, they are like the 45km/h mopeds but with pedals :)
This is a fair point!!
With most urban roads being 20mph and more to come, 20mph absolutely makes sense. Drivers would be less likely to overtake and traffic would flow together making it safer for everyone.
100% agree the same goes for Australia with our ebike laws, they need to change. The authorities seem to also use the argument that faster means we will have more accidents with pedestrians. They tend to forget it all comes down to the fool on the bike no different to the fool behind the steering wheel of a car.
Couple points UK law is 250watt motor correct but that’s at continuous not peak every UK street legal 250 watt motors peaks at much higher power levels also 15.5. Mph is fast enough I see your a Young fit rider I’m 73 I can easily go faster on the flat on my ebike it makes you fitter I feel it’s a good compromise between assistance when you need it and effort you put in certainly has improved my fitness .There are more powerful ebikes like the Sur Ron which are capable of 50 mph but to be legal you’ll need to register with DVLA get insurance and road tax.
It's not even the watts that matter, it's the torque. Modern motors can squeeze 90Nm of torque out of a 250W continuous rated motor which will easily sail you up to 40kmh if unrestricted.
"also 15.5. Mph is fast enough"
It just _isn't._ But there's nothing to stop you from continuing to ride at a speed you're happy with, on a bike capable of a few mph more.
@@markepps3511 Yep, there's zero need for bigger motors given the efficiency of the 250w units on modern e-bikes.
@@markepps3511 motors are like speakers, a speaker may have a watts limit, it's the amplifier that makes the watts, a 100w speaker will put out the same volume on a 20w amp as a 30w speaker, given that both examples are a similar size and efficiency. speakers are tested at 1 watt with mic 1 metre distance for how loud they play in dB, 90 dB being the average for larger speakers, whereas bookshelf speakers will be not as loud with the same input level. now back to ebike motors, the so called 250w motor would be getting 350w doing 40 kph, it's the controller that feeds the voltage into the motor, more volts = more watts
As a motorcyclist with 40 years experience, there has to be a compulsory training and licence requirement if you effectively have the same speed as a 50cc bike or scooter.
After 55 years of driving, I walk everywhere. Love it.
Great video.
Why limit the ebike speed? You don't limit car speeds by limiting the capabilities of said car!
When the rules were set the Italian scooter manu's (Piaggio mostly) lobbied hard to limit the speed of electric bicycles - they worried about losing sales....
I'd look at the environmental benefits over fossil motorcycles of increasing peddle assist vehicles in urban environments if I wanted to lobby for change.
You do now. Check the EU's new rules on limiters for cars.
@@DeejvilleTV those are soft limiters, it can be bypassed by pressing harder on the gas pedal
Great video and some very solid points. A few things to add on the speed limiters thought: A higher limiter alone isn't entirely the best answer, a big part of the problem is that the manufacturers are their own worst enemy. A hard cut off at any speed just feels bad, but on the flip side, no brand is going to willingly kneecap their ebike and make it clearly slower on paper for the sake of the intangible ride experience that can't be listed on a spec sheet. IMHO the best solution actually appeases just about everyone and gets the best experience for us riders.
Simply put, my suggestion is that an ebike is allowed to make it's full power up to 15mph, after that has to reduce it's power by 20% of it's maximum every 1mph after that ending in a full cut of power at 20mph. The idea is to have power taper off smoothly beyond 15mph rather than just ending up with a hard cut out at any speed.
IMO almost everyone wins here:
Smoother more predictable power = safer and easier to ride for less confident riders
Not hitting a wall as the motor cuts out = it's surprisingly easier to pedal on through it and transition into riding as if you were on a regular bike, especially with suitable road tyres.
The bike brands win = Big high torque motors will actually offer value outside of cargo bikes or that second or two of initial acceleration before you smash into the limiter.
And depressingly, it's a compromise that the anti ebike crowd are less likely to instantly hate = They'll see 'less power' as a balance for more speed.
Fully agree, in the city we should all be traveling at 20MPH/30km/h , bikes and cars. In exchange for the increased speed cutoff, they should make mandatory, always-on lights, directly connected to the battery. DRL+low beam+rear light.
PS I strongly doubt there is any difference in stopping distance between acoustic and electric bikes: brakes are quite powerful and the limit is given by the rear wheel lifting, which in turn is connected to weight distribution, which may be better on mid-drive e-bikes.
well said. i have ridden an electric bike for 2 years. unfortunately, the battery recharge decreased to 10% and now i can't get more than 5 miles on a charge. my gripe is that governments are not requiring companies to buy back their bikes for disposal or refurbishing. so like many bicycles, they'll become another heap of garbage on the planet.
True. I made the mistake of getting one with an internal battery hidden in the frame and when it can no longer be charged then there goes my bike. It would be unridable without the power assist as it weighs a tonne. I never could understand why they would make an electric bike and then limit the speed so drastically. Ordinary road bike users where leaving me in the dust. I bought a manual road bike for less than half the cost of my e-bike and I found it much faster and incredibly light. I wouldn't buy another.
If the battery is removable, look into having it rebuilt. That will give your ride a longer life.
@@iankelly3081 don, t buy cheap crap, I have e-mountbike for 8 years now and the batteries 2 are still 95%, extra batteri 600€today 18000km.
@@mikaellindroos1594what brand ebike would you recommend?
@@deeplydeeplydope1111 many brands, 3500€👍
What is an acoustic bike - does it have built in music centre?
Aka Organic bike
@@Seafox0011you have a bike that contains no inorganic materials?
Getting off at traffic lights is difficult and battery power is helpful but it is generally discouraged in public in the USA
Most residential areas in the US have a speed limit of 20 mph, which is the limit of Class 1 ebikes (Pedal-assist only), and Class 2 ebikes ( Pedal-assist or throttle).
Class 3 ebikes (Pedal assist only) have a speed limit of 28 mph. Class 3 ebikes have different regulation in different States. Some States consider them to be a Motor vehicles, others don't.
I'm braving potential backlash and saying I don't agree. This speed obsession brings bad motor driving mentality into bicycling and other wheeling transport. So what if you're a slower traveller? Others can just be patient and wait. Plus, we have a lot of shared paths in the UK with pedestrians mixing with wheelers. Slow down, take in the surroundings and enjoy the ride with others, as you would in other countries with a lot more bicyclists and equally crowded space. Less speed = less stress for all.
20 would be max limit where traffic allows. You’d go slower elsewhere. Just like cars don’t drive at max speed everywhere.
Thank you for this!!! I've owned E bikes for over 20 years the discussion on electric bikes usually falls to complaints of cheating,laziness ECT but I've been obsessed with them so long now!18mph is what we need as it keeps you constant going up hills you don't drop to 10mph as with the 15.5 regulations there is less frustration from car drivers as they are not held up so long behind you!! I think there definitely needs to be a Electric bike Zsar!Someone to lobby the Government and I can think of no better Candidate than you young lady!haha! You are a breath of fresh air! This was an amazing Video!We need more representation and as a daily commuter I'm hoping this happens soon as it's getting more and more dangerous out there on the roads!something needs to be done!Once again Thankyou!🚴💨👍
Yeah but tell ask them if they own a car or motor bike and going to work in it. One person in a car, is a waste and it takes up so much space on the road. Motor bikes are better but again are they not cheating, same with the car lol.
Cars or much more cheating, laziness, and faster
Emtb rider here - upping the speed limit for off-road riding context may increase personal injury for inexperienced riders - prompting trail centres and local authorities to ban them in certain areas... Just a concern.
I built my own e-bike mainly for MTB. It has 2000W, has a throttle and 52 km/h top speed. On rare occasions I ride it on bicycle paths with a similar speed as everyone else and being careful. I encountered many people on regular bikes causing a lot more danger than me (one even crashed into me recently, lol). It's an amazing way of transport in a city, I just wish there was a way for me to legalize it as right now I'm stressed every time I see a cop when I'm riding it.
Cars can go 250kmh. It's all about responsibility. Laws only exist for control over the masses. Whatever you do responsibly is right. If you're on a straight bicycle path with noone around and you slow down at each intersection, nobody, not even the law can say to me or you that what you're doing is bad and irresponsible. But just don't get caught, society will be against you for breaking laws, because that's their morality and there's nothing you can do to convince them you're right, because in their eyes, breaking a law is always wrong, thus, avoid talking about your illegal bike and drive responsible.
I fully agree with your speed limit recommendation. I only ride a normal mountain bike, and I get up to 20 on that, so it's dumb that ebikes cant go as fast!
They can they just need to peddle to get there , the same as you do.
@Ed Straker Most designs don't have motor resistance. Only direct drive hub motors do, and it really isn't that much. Weight isn't really a limiting factor on level ground. Though its a big deal on any incline.
@Ed Straker I know of a number of people who go fast with lightweight low power e-bikes. They are tuned for assist at higher speeds. These are the guys that go 20+ on their own normally. So they use the extra boost to help with hills, headwinds, and up hills - just like everyone else - but at higher speeds because they are more fit. They use small, geared motor hubs with higher winds/gears. They often just put the battery in a backpack with a quick release connect in case of a spill. It keeps the bike handling more normally and looks cleaner.
One of the cool things about the ebike concept is how adaptable it is to different unique needs.
15.5 mph may seems slow on a fast road but it's plenty of speed on shared paths and bridleways.
Totally agree, I'd really like a throttle too, Pedal assist is great over long stretches and for efficiency but being able to turn on and cut off the motor at a whim is really useful when starting and stopping at junctions/ roundabouts and the extra control is so much safer too,
Also helps massively for accessibility too
I think throttle is allowed up to 6kph in the UK.
@@dtz1000 yeah which is pitifully slow, it's also not even inline with EU regulations which means we miss out on a lot of good budget ebikes
My ebike only provides power if the pedals are moving. OTOH, I also have a twist throttle that allows me to go full power (while pedaling) with the twist of the wrist. This combination is both Class 3 legal and extra safe since I get full power right away if needed.
@@wturber ah yeah ofc but that kind of throttle isn't legal in the UK (but is in the whole of the EU) very annoying!
My ebike has one, it was limited to the 6km/h out of the box but I can use the throttle to get up to 25mph.
The Netherlands has invested into creating a cycling network often completely separate and safe from car (or vehicle) traffic. they started in the 70s and it took a lot of money and time but I think it’s worth it..
22 mph - thats very sweet speed . I agree with everything you wrote .
🤝
22mph would be perfect for my commute as it would allow me to merge with traffic more safely. As it is I avoid some right turns & go a little further until I get to traffic lights, because it's safer.
YEEEEE I LIVE IN SWITZERLAND WHERE I CAN LEGALLY BUY A 800W 45 km/h EBIKE
Indeed an increase in speed would prob... oh look its balloon guy! He always cheers me up :-) ...
You make some very good points, yes please lets get that limit up to 20mph. One thing what car is only 1000Kg ? cars are now about 1500Kg upwards, and if it's a hybrid or electric it's heavier. And where can you buy a Ebike a low as 15Kg ? most are about 25Kg.
I know what you mean by the speed limit being too low... I am so tempted to put the throttle on and derestrict it
One of the benefits of an E-Bike is that you still get some exercise. My average speed is around 15 mph so half the time I am not using the boost. I tend to use it most on steep hills and into headwinds when I am doing less than 15mph. If you upped it to 750 watts and 20 mph then you would get no exercise at all. In that case why even bother with an ebike why not just have electric mopeds? The only reason for upping the limit is to make e-cargo bikes more effective IMHO.
Just because you have 750 watts doesn't mean you always use it. My ebike has 750 watts, but my typical use is between 250-500 watts. I only go full power accelerating through intersections (nice so you clear the intersection fast on left turns without irritating drivers who are in a senseless rush) or going up steep/short hills.
I've gotten plenty of exercise while putting in over 12,000 miles on my 750 watt ebike. I'm always working even with assist. I'm just going faster and getting home earlier with assist. So not as much work if I rode an unassisted bike and took 50% longer, but far more exercise than if I had driven. And I've monitored with my smart watch heart rate monitor while doing this - and watched as my resting hear rated dropped from about 60 bpm to below 50 bpm after a few months commuting (32 miles round trip) on my e-bike.
Get yourself to sheffield and try riding a 250w bike,they are useless on these hills.
Trust me, you still get exercise on 750watt / 20mph (more like 18-19 mph at least on my Yamaha CrossConnect)
Agree with you. Would also urge we rethink the ban on thumb throttles. If e-scooters are to be legalised, then where is the logic in not allowing throttles on bikes? And if it's really too much to ask, what about allowing them to get you up to walking speed of 6kmh? That would help you to get away from the lights easily, and in fact dispense with the need for gears.
Definitely food for thought!
I end up giving my ebike a slight throttle bump to get it moving, but that's also because the PAS system is still a mess on it. I've heard from people with mobility/joint issues that having a throttle is what enables to ride a bike without being in pain. Some people just can't push hard on the pedals. My experience has been that even when I slam the throttle the bike doesn't move that quickly anyways. If you really want the bike to go, you need to stand up and pedal to help the motor as much as you can.
Elderly(74 in Feb) Ebiker here, and I built my own Ebike from a doner Bicycle and a mid drive Kit. I wanted to be legal so I went with a 250 watt motor even though my friends said get a 500 watt, and who stops an old guy like me. But no I want to be legal, anyway I built the Ebike and every time I hit 15.5 MPH the motor would cut out, so I would try to keep it going and it resulted in a very uncomfortable cutting in and out loop. I tried to ride slower, but on the flat it seems that my natural speed is around 17 mph. It drove me absolutely mad and put a strain on my pelvis which is held together with titanium plates(the reason I first got an Ebike). Anyway eventually i adjusted my maximum assisted speed up from 15.5 mph to 20 mph, what a difference it makes, just being able to go over the 15.5 speed cut out. Yes I am technically breaking the law, but I am a safer cyclist because of it, I'm not holding other road users up, and my Pelvis no longer gives me trouble.Its pedal assist, I can't just throttle up and go like the Americans do, No pedal, no motor assist and that's how I like it. I live in hilly Bristol so would love to be allowed a 500 watt motor to help me up the steep hills BUT I can manage the hills with a 250 watt motor and a bit of extra pedal power But that 15.5 MPH speed limit is a killer, they couldn't have chosen a worse speed limit.
A very well put together video. I totally agree with your assessment and analysis of the current UK law.
Shocked to hear your speed limit is so slow. It's the opposite here, I'm always getting passed by an electric something or other. One thing I would suggest is NOT being the first vehicle to leave a red light at an intersection. Love the channel seriously contemplating upgrading my "acoustic" bike to electric
That's a good point, but primarily applies to larger metropolitan areas. I'm in a big city and usually the first to go through the intersection on my analog or e-bike. However, I am carefully checking traffic from every direction first. People fly through lights that have been red more than a few seconds here.
I totally agree everything you mentioned. I got into cycling/e-bike few months now and I feel vulnerable at 15mph limit when most cyclist and cars are trying to overtake me in 20mph road. When I did use 20mph e-bike I felt safer and confident to cycle next to cars and athletic cyclists
Everyone who lives in the uk should send a link of this video to their MP and those of you who live outside of the UK, who support this view should email the London mayor. Other mayors are also available. Thanks Electroheads