Tag Archive: PLEVS

  1. Belgium Wheelers’ Petition for review micromobility speed limits

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    Belgium Wheelers is a Belgian association of users of so-called micromobility vehicles. This term refers to all vehicles without a seating position and to self-balancing vehicles, which are excluded from Regulation 168/2013. Technically, they fall under the Machinery Directive, while member states are competent for their terms of use.

    Whilst some countries, among which the Netherlands and the UK, still prohibit most of these vehicles on public roads, Belgium has one of the most liberal policies on micromobility in the EU. All vehicles are allowed on public roads and enjoy the same terms of use as conventional (e)bikes. However, all vehicles must be limited to a maximum design speed of 25 km/h.

    From their experience, the Belgium Wheelers conclude that this legislation “is not adapted to the technical features of these machines, nor is it in line with the reality on the ground.” They further argue that legal limitation of motor power or speed by construction may sometimes be a factor of danger rather than safety. For instance if the power proves to be insufficient for the weight of the rider, it can slow the vehicle down to a point that it cannot be ridden in a safe way anymore. Also, the Belgium Wheelers believe that aligning the vehicles with the speed limits of 30 km/h and 50 km/h on the road, will reduce the risk of collisions and accidents.

    As a result, they have launched a petition to call for the introduction of two categories: one with a design speed of 30 km/h instead of 25 km/h and one of 50 km/h. The first one would be subject to the same terms of use as the 25 km/h vehicles today. The faster category would come with an AM driving licence, helmet obligation, registration and compulsory civil liability insurance.

    Belgium Wheelers state: “This new category will allow for a wider public to have useful access to these devices, with sufficient power to allow use over longer distances and/or for a wider range of user sizes, which is not the case for machines with limited engine power or a maximum speed of 25 or 30km/h.

    The petition is addressed to the Belgium House of Representatives and will be online until the end of the year. For the Parliament to debate the request, 25,000 signatures are required and the petition is still a long way off that result. You can find the petition here in French, Dutch and English: 55_2021-2022/2 – Aanpassing van de wetgeving inzake elektrische micromobiliteit apparaten – Pétitions – Petities (belgium.be)

  2. Dutch petition calls for the legalisation of personal light electric vehicles

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    PLEV users and advocates in the Netherlands may want to review and sign a growing petition

    Source: Legaal Rijden

    A petition to the House of Representatives, started by Hector Nieman of Legaal Rijden, calls for the Netherlands to adopt legislation and regulations for PLEVs comparable to Belgium, France, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and (soon) Germany. Legaal Rijden is an organisation advocating for PLEV users in the Netherlands, supporting those who would like to cooperate, think along and participate in making their PLEVs legal. In the current situation, many people are riding uninsured and risking a fine. Legaal Rijden represents users, and holds discussions with political parties, insurers and news organizations about the pain points and possible solutions regarding the legalisation of LEVs.

    The petition states that:

    “Self-balancing unicycles, longboards, skateboards and scooters powered by electric motor(s) are not only environmentally friendly but ideal for personal mobility and to relieve the growth of mobility in large cities.”

    It presents a number of observations, and a request:

    “We: Owners of PLEVs want laws and regulations that match the technology of our vehicles.

    observe

    • That there are many micro-mobility solutions for personal use that can relieve the growth of mobility in large cities.
    • PLEVs offer new forms of personal transport.
    • They are handy for commuters but also for recreation.
    • They represent safe forms of CO2-neutral transport with the latest technology, such as batteries that you also encounter in a Tesla, and are not comparable with self-igniting children’s toys from China.
    • The Netherlands lags far behind Europe in terms of personal mobility. In Belgium, even Deputy Prime Minister Alexander De Croo uses a ‘Boosted Board’.
    • PLEV users in the Netherlands would like to cooperate and think along to make their vehicles legal. Now many are driving around uninsured and risk a fine.

    and request

    • Legislation and regulations comparable to Belgium, France, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and (soon) Germany.”

    As of Nov 4, the petition to legalize personal light electric vehicles stood at 20,862 signatures, and those interested to sign have until December 22 2021 to do so.

    Sign the petition here.

  3. New Framework for PLEVs in Ireland

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    Ireland is proposing amendments to their Road Traffic Act 1961  in order to regulate the use of personal light electric vehicles (PLEVs), including electrically assisted pedal cycles and electric scooters. Currently, the general principles of the Bill are debated in the House. LEVA-EU was consulted for the preparation of the bill.


    Below is an overview of the proposed requirements for PLEVs which however, are not yet official law. The bill still need to pass several stages of the legislative process which you may find here.

    Under the new legislation for PLEVs, it is stated that an electric scooter is a PLEV and is defined as a bicycle if it complies with the following requirements. The maximum designed speed of PLEVs is proposed to be 25 km/h, limited by a speed limitation device. The maximum continuous rated power should not exceed 250W. Maximum weight and dimensions limitations have not been proposed.

    As for terms of use, it is proposed to exempt PLEVs from motor tax and vehicle registration. Riders would have to be at least 16 years old and the use of mobile phones while driving will be prohibited.

    LEVA-EU is preparing a briefing on PLEV legislation in European member states, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Our current overview has details on Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

    Further information on how to obtain this and other LEVA-EU briefings is here: https://leva-eu.com/leva-eu-briefings/ or contact daan@leva-eu.com for more information.

    Bill 28 of 2021 can be found here, below is a summary:

    Definitions

    • PLEV means a personal light electric vehicle and could be:
      • An electric scooter
      • An electrically assisted pedal cycle or
      • Such other class of electrically propelled vehicle as may be prescribed under section 2(3)  (Page 4/5)
    • Electrically assisted pedal cycles means a bicycle or tricycle that:
      • Is fitted with pedals for manual propulsion
      • Is fitted with an auxiliary electric motor, capable of electrically assisting propulsion and
        • Otherwise complies with section 2(2)  (Page 4)
    • Electric scooter means a bicycle that:
      • Is propelled electrically by means of an electric motor
      • Is not fitted with pedals that are capable of manual propulsion
      • Has a means of directional control through the use of handlebars which are mechanically linked to the steered wheel,
      • Has a means of controlling the speed through hand controls,
      • Has a maximum design speed of no less than 6 kilometres per hour, and
      • Otherwise complies with section 2(1)

    Requirements in relation to PLEVs

    • Have 2 wheels, one front and one rear, aligned along the direction of travel
    • Be designed to carry no more than one person
    • Be fitted with no other means of mechanical or electrical propulsion other than an electric motor that has a maximum continuous rated power that does not exceed 250 watts
    • Be fitted with a speed limitation device that limits the speed of the scooter to not more than 25 kilometres per hour
    • Be fitted with a power control in respect of which the default output of the electric motor is nil
    • Conform to such restrictions as may be prescribed under section 3 (page 5, bill).

    Weight and size restrictions of PLEVs

    • Weight, length, weight and height are still under debate

    Minimum age

    • Riders must be at least 16 years old

    Prohibition of use of mobile phone while driving

    • A person commits an offence when he or she drives a PLEV in a public place while holding a mobile phone

    Speed limitation device

    • A person commits an offence if the person removes to the tamper, attempt to remove the tamper or causes another person to remove the tamper
    • A person who commits an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction—
      • In the case of a first offence, to a class D fine, or
      • In the case of a second or subsequent offence, to a class C fine.

    Photo by Christina Spinnen on Unsplash.

  4. PLEVs and Traffic Accidents in Germany

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    The German Federal Bureau of Statistics (De Statis) has for the first time published statistics on accidents with personal light electric vehicles (PLEVs), such as electric scooters.

    From January until September 2020, the German police registered a total of1,570 accidents in which riders got injured or died. A total of 7 riders have lost their life, 269 riders had severe injuries and 1,096 riders had minor injuries.

    In the press release, De Statis mentioned that they are now able to make comparisons with other vehicles such as (electric) cycles. In the first 9 months of 2020, the German police registered 73,293 cycle accidents . 351 of the cyclists were involved in fatal accidents, 14,128 had major injuries and 59,633 minor injuries.

    The PLEV share in the overall accidents statistics is relatively low compared to other vehicles. A reason for this could be that PLEVs are only allowed on public roads since the decree of 15 June 2019 and are therefore still unknown to many people. In Q1 of 2020, 252 accidents with personal injuries were registered, in Q2 412 and 901 accidents in Q3. For Q3, 4 riders died, 145 had severe injuries and 627 had minor injuries. It is not possible yet to make a comparison with the number of PLEVs riders and increasing number of accidents to see if there is a relative growth of accidents as well.  

    The overall volume of traffic has decreased over the course of the year due to the pandemic in 2020 which resulted in a lower number of accidents. In the first 9 months of 2020, 1,68 million accidents were registered. Compared to the same period in 2019, there is decrease of 15.4% in accidents.

    PLEVs in Germany are allowed since 15 June 2019. Riders must use cycling infrastructure if present, driving on pavements is forbidden and wearing a helmet is encouraged. A driving license or moped certificate is not required but the driver needs to be at least 14 years old. PLEVs must be insured, which must be indicated by an insurance sticker. For more information on PLEVs, go to Federal ministry of traffic and digital infrastructure.

    The press release of De Statis is here and the decree on PLEVs here. If you are interested in the PLEV traffic rules and technical requirements in other European member states, LEVA-EU is preparing a briefing which will list all requirements. Please contact daan@leva-eu.com for more information.

    Photo by Okai Vehicles on Unsplash

  5. LEVA-EU welcomes change of Belgium’s Traffic Code for personal light electric vehicles

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    April 4th The Belgian Parliament has voted in favour of an amendment relating to an increase of the maximum allowed speed for personal light electric vehicles.
    Formerly the maximum speed in Belgium was 18 km/h but that will now be increased to 25 km/h. Belgium uses the European standard for personal light electric vehicles EN 17128/2017 as a basis for the revision.

    It is important to bear in mind that the texts voted by Belgium Parliament still need to be published in the Official Journal before coming into effect. LEVA-EU will keep you updated on our website as soon as the text is published.

    Manufacturers, importers and distributors on for the Belgium market should take note that this change applies to:
    1) Self-balancing one and two wheeled electric vehicles
    2) Electric scooters without a seating position as well as electric hoverboards

    For further details please contact LEVA-EU Manager, Annick Roetynck, email annick@leva-eu.com, tel. +32 9 233 60 05

    Links
    1) European Standard EN 17128/2017
    2) Amendment 4
    a. In Dutch: ‘’gemotoriseerd voortbewegingstoestel’’
    b. In French: ‘’engin de déplacement motorisé’’

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