Tag Archive: pedelecs

  1. France enforces clearly defined regulations against pedelec tuning

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    Source: SAZ Bike

    France has in place stringent measures to curb illegal pedelec tuning to reinforce safety and compliance in its micromobility sector, which can be seen as a benchmark for other countries. Since April 1, 2016, Decree No. 2016-364 has established comprehensive safety regulations for bicycles and electrically assisted bicycles.

    Ernst Brust, a micromobility expert, has highlighted to SAZ Bike that France’s regulatory framework can be used as a model for other countries’ approach to regulating the sector. According to Brust, manufacturers and retailers are responsible for ensuring that essential safety components, such as brakes, steering, and drivetrain, are installed at the factory. Consumers are only permitted to modify non-safety-related parts, such as wheels, pedals, or the saddle, and must follow explicit manufacturer instructions. Additionally, permanent labeling, including manufacturer information and serial numbers, is mandated.

    The French decree requires pedelecs to be equipped with two independent braking systems, secure quick-release mechanisms, and mandatory lighting. Detailed user manuals specifying assembly, usage, and maintenance are also compulsory, with manufacturers obligated to document product safety for a minimum of ten years.

    A key aspect of the regulation is the clear distinction between different types of electrically assisted bicycles:

    • Pedelecs (Vélo à Assistance Électrique, VAE): These bicycles provide electrical assistance only when the rider is pedaling and have a maximum speed of 25 km/h. They are legally classified as bicycles.
    • Speed pedelecs: Unlike pedelecs, these vehicles can operate with an independent electric drive and are categorized as mopeds. They require a driving license, insurance, and registration.

    By enforcing this distinction, the French authorities aim to prevent legal ambiguities and enhance road safety for all users.

    Brust further underscores the consequences of pedelec modifications, stating that tampering with motor control systems or speed limitations is illegal and poses significant risks to both riders and other road users.

    Legal and financial consequences

    Violating the decree is classified as a fifth-class administrative offense, leading to penalties that may include:

    • Fines of up to €1,500 (increasing to €3,000 for repeat offenses)
    • Confiscation of the non-compliant product
    • Sales bans and market withdrawal of modified pedelecs

    Furthermore, a modified pedelec that exceeds the 25 km/h speed limit is reclassified as a moped under French law. This reclassification results in additional legal obligations, including:

    • Driving license requirement
    • Compulsory insurance
    • Registration and license plate requirements
    • Mandatory helmet use
    • Failure to comply with these requirements constitutes a criminal offense, with severe penalties such as:
    • Fines of up to 3,750 euros for driving without insurance
    • Fines of up to 15,000 euros, and potential imprisonment, for driving without a license
    • Immediate vehicle confiscation by law enforcement authorities
    • Personal liability for damages in accidents without valid insurance

    By implementing its latest defined measures, France aims to enhance road safety and regulatory clarity while deterring illegal pedelec tuning.

  2. LEVs eligible for Malta’s €34million EV grant programme

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    Source: Electrive

    Transport Malta has launched a substantial grant scheme for the purchasing of new electric vehicles, including pedelecs, motorcycles and quadricycles, as well as cars and vans.

    As part of a broader programme to incentivise uptake of electric vehicles, funds are being allocated by the Maltese goverment’s transport authority for the purchase of new electric vehicles, and for the scrappage of old vehicles.

    Grants for light electric vehicles

    Under the scheme, a grant of €500 is available against the purchase of pedelecs, and €2,000 against cargo pedelecs, mopeds and motorcycles (but not more than 80% of the retail price). Tricycles, quadricycles and heavy quadricycles are eligible for 25% of CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight value), with the grants for this category starting at a minimum of €2,000 and capped at €6,000. The grants apply to new vehicles only.

    Scrappage grants

    People can also take advantage of the government’s vehicle scrappage grant, which pays up to €500 for mopeds or motorcycles. There are certain conditions which apply: the scrapped vehicle must be at least 10 years old on the date of scrappage; it must be licensed with Transport Malta before scrappage, or the purchase of a new vehicle; it must be destroyed at an authorised demolition facility, and a valid destruction certificate dated between 2024 and 2025 must be obtained.

    A statement from Transport Malta said, “The scheme aims at reducing the number of older conventional motor vehicles from the road […] The grant will remain available until the 31st of December 2025 or until the budgeted funds are exhausted.”

    More information can be found here.

  3. Research analyses over 95 thousand bicycle and pedelec crashes over 9 years

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    Data gathered from police crash reports in Germany reveals minor differences in the makeup of pedelec and bicycle crashes, leading researchers to support generalised road safety improvements over targeting pedelecs.

    Research by Katja Schleinitz and Tibor Petzoldt and published in Journal of Safety Research has shed light on the development of pedelec (electric pedal-assist bicycles) and bicycle crashes from 2013 to 2021. The research, which analyzed data from three federal states, aimed to identify trends and clarify whether these trends were specific to pedelecs.

    The continuous growth in e-bike usage in Germany, with pedelecs supporting pedaling up to 25 km/h, raised questions about the use of historical crash data for road safety measures. The study, which analyzed 95,338 police-reported pedelec and bicycle injury crashes, revealed several important findings.

    While there were some differences between pedelecs and conventional bicycles, many variables showed a high degree of temporal stability. Notably, the mean age of pedelec riders involved in crashes was significantly older than that of conventional cyclists. However, the study also found that the mean age of pedelec riders had decreased over time, becoming eight years younger.

    Single vehicle crashes were consistently more common for pedelec riders than for cyclists, and pedelec rider crashes were associated with higher injury severity throughout the study period, likely due to pedelec riders being older on average. Pedelecs were also more likely than bicycles to experience a crash outside of urban areas, and on weekends. The data also showed similarities in the types of crashes involving both pedelecs and bicycles, with cars being the most frequent collision partners when multiple parties were involved.

    The study revealed a significant increase in the number of pedelec riders involved in crashes over the years, highlighting the growing popularity of pedelecs in Germany. This surge in pedelec ownership and usage challenges the long-term validity of findings regarding pedelec crashes.

    The researchers concluded that, while there are minor differences between pedelec and bicycle crashes, there is no immediate need for road safety measures specifically targeting pedelecs. Instead, the study emphasized the demand for innovative solutions to improve cycling safety in general.

    This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into the trends and characteristics of pedelec and bicycle crashes in Germany over a nine-year period. It highlights the need for continued attention to road safety, especially as the popularity of e-bikes, including pedelecs, continues to grow across Europe.

  4. Klever launches two new speed pedelec models

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    LEVA-EU member Klever Mobility launches two new top models utilizing ten years of design experience.

    N Rogue 45 – Discover more here

    Klever injects everything it’s learned over the past ten years into the N. It’s rideable, strong, practical, comfortable, and can carry heavy payloads. Plus, the N Rogue 45 is made mostly with an ever-increasing amount of in-house Klever components.

    The N Rogue 45 stands out for its value in the Klever Mobility range, being the first-speed pedelec retailing under €5,000. The brand new model features a fresh Klever frame design and is equipped with a 1200Wh battery and 600W rear wheel motor. This model is capable of carrying a payloads up to 150 kg, and the XL model is designed for riders up to 205 cm.

    As more and more Klever Mobility parts are made in-house, the brand gains the ability to control all aspects of the bike, ensuring all parts work more efficiently and reliably together. It also allows designers to innovate regardless of industry shortfalls.

    Y Muse 45 – Discover more here

    The new Y Muse 45 is the speed pedelec variant of the previous Y Muse 25 e-bike. The Y Muse 45 gives the rider unexpected high power, a fashionable design, and practical comfort. The model includes relevant safety features, a 600w rear wheel motor and is standard equipped with an 850Wh battery at a €5.299 price point. “If you are looking for everyday excitement, to outsmart the city traffic, or just to enjoy the controlled speed, the Y Muse 45 is your perfect fit.“

  5. Close to 400 applications for cargo bike subsidy in Saxony, Germany

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    Source: SAZ Bike

    Over 2021, a total 386 funding applications were submitted in Saxony by clubs, companies, municipal and special-purpose associations.

    Since March 2021, Saxony has offered a subsidy of up to 500 euros for bicycles and up to 1500 euros for pedelecs. Organizations can apply to have up to five companions sponsored each year, with a further 700,000 euros available in 2022 to continue building on the scheme’s success. Economics Minister Martin Dulig (SPD) shared, “The continuously high number of applications shows that there is a great need for such means of transport. Especially in urban areas, the cargo bike has great potential as an agile and environmentally friendly means of transport.”

    While there has been minor criticism of the program as it finds its feet, there is no denying the transformative effect it is having on communities in Saxony. Highlighting the massive potential of green transport methods.