Understanding Pedelecs and Regulations
Pedelecs, with their primary power source being human propulsion assisted by a motor, are regulated based on power output and maximum speed limits. Different directives and regulations categorize pedelecs, pedal-equipped mopeds, and low-performance mopeds based on power ratings and speed restrictions. These regulations also dictate insurance requirements for higher-powered mopeds. Additionally, discussions have been held to consider changes and distinctions between pedelecs and electric vehicles in various EU countries, highlighting the importance of not registering pedelecs like traditional electric vehicles to promote their use.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
A Question of Watts THE PEDELEC ISSUE
BAG statement A PEDELECS PRIMARY SOURCE OF POWER IS THE HUMAN PROPELLING IT. THE MOTOR (250W) ONLY ASSISTS IN THE PROCESS
PEDAL POWER REGULATIONS SET OUT TO >>>>> Cover everything not Cover everything not covered by the Motor covered by the Motor Vehicle Act Vehicle Act (Sub vehicles) (Sub vehicles) Pedal Powered Regulations Motor Vehicle Regulations Human Powered Engine Powered Insurance imposed Insurance imposed upon higher powered upon higher powered mopeds under the mopeds under the PPR s PPR s Bicycle Insurance
HOW THE DIRECTIVE 2002/24/EC SEES IT 250w (25KPH*) Pedelec 50cc 1Kw 25KPH^ Low Performance Mopeds 50cc 4Kw 45KPH^ Moped L1e/L2e Human Powered Engine Powered 250w Pedelec 251w Pedelec M/C Bicycle * At which point to power cuts off ^ Maximum speed limit
Key points: ALL PEDELECS UNDER 250W ARE CONSIDERED SO LOW A POWER RATING AS TO BE BICYCLES PEDAL EQUIPPED MOPEDS ARE LIMITED TO 1KW AS VERY LOW PERFORMANCE MOPEDS WITH A MAX SPEED OF 25KPH
LN129 OF 2004 ATTEMPTS TO FOLLOW IT 250w (25KPH*) Power Assisted Cycle 50cc 2BHP 45KPH 2BHP 45KPH^ Low Powered Cycle 50cc 4Kw 45KPH^ Moped Human Powered Engine Powered Incl Moped Pedelec Pedelec M/C Bicycle Moped Insurance Clause 20 Ch104 * At which point to power cuts off ^ Maximum speed limit
Key points: LN129 defines pedelecs under 250w as being something different, but does not go as far as considering them as bicycles Allowable power output for low powered cycle (pedal equipped moped) is defined at a higher level i.e. 1.49KW (2BHP) with an increased max speed of 45kph Clause 20 specifically defines insurance as being incumbent only upon 4Kw mopeds
In July 2012 BAG met with TM with regard to possible changes to LN129/2004. BAG noted the following regarding pedelecs; Pt1 (3): In most EU countries pedelecs are not registered, as these are different to pure electric vehicles. Registering bicycles can have a negative effect on encouraging their use. It also legitimizes bicycle advocacy demands. 4(1): Pedelecs are not usually registered in the EU states although electric bikes are. This needs to be moved along. 5 (1): Does this include pedelecs? If so why. They are not powered just power assisted. Suggested text This regulation does not apply to bicycles with pedal assistance which are equipped with an auxiliary electric motor up to a maximum continuous rated power of 0.25Kw, of which the output is progressively reduced and finally cut off as the vehicle reaches a speed of 25Km/H or if the cyclist stops pedalling as described in EU 15194.
LN365 OF 2012 CHANGES 250w (25KPH*) Power Assisted Pedal Pedal Cycle 50cc 2BHP 45KPH^ Low Powered Cycle 50cc 4Kw 45KPH^ Moped L1e/L2e L1e/L2e Should be somewhere over here? Human Powered Engine Powered Clause 3 (2) (a&b) Incl Moped Pedelec M/C Bicycle Moped Insurance Clause 20 Ch104 * At which point to power cuts off ^ Maximum speed limit
LN365 of 2012 changes imply that 250w category, require a silencer resulting in people assuming that the petrol powered bicycles on our roads are just 250w rather than mopeds between circa 1.49-6Kw (2 - 5BHP) HERE S WHY? Part 1 (3) 2 (b) .in the case of a cycle fitted with an internal combustion motor, a complete exhaust system emitting a sound level of not more than 91dBA. This statement does not appear to refer to other more powerful engine classification later on, although this is covered by the type certification in the case of L1e & L2e machines. IN ADDITION TM noted (TOM 25/07/13) that 951 power assisted pedal cycles had been registered. While this included pedelecs, how many are actually 50cc and higher petrol engine machines, essentially mopeds, that exceed 250w allowed for the class, the directives 1Kw or even TM s definition 1.49Kw?
Key media points: Tuesday, July 16, 2013, (TOM) Petition demands regulation of Petition demands regulation of motorized bicycle motorized bicycle Wednesday, July 17, 2013, (TOM) Cyclists' Group sees no need for further regulation of electric bicycles, calls for enforcement of for further regulation of electric bicycles, calls for enforcement of all traffic laws all traffic laws Cyclists' Group sees no need Thursday, July 18, 2013, (TOM) Power assisted power cycles have Power assisted power cycles have to be registered and insured to be registered and insured TM, Riders need permit or TM, Riders need permit or licence Must have an output of not more than 250 watts and a maximum speed of 25km/hr must have a completely exhaust system emitting a sound level of not more than 91dbA ** licence. . Friday, July 19, 2013, TOM Watchdog rolls out campaign to Watchdog rolls out campaign to educate owners of educate owners of electric bikes electric bikes
MEDIA ESCALATION 18 JULY 2013 ** 250w (25KPH^ ^) Power Assisted Pedal Cycle 50cc 2BHP 45KPH^ Low Powered Cycle 50cc 4Kw 45KPH^ Moped L1e/L2e Off the scope? Human Powered Engine Powered Registered, driver tested & insured, 16yrs, helmet & speedometer Pedelec Pedelec M/C Bicycle Moped Insurance Clause 20 Ch104 * At which point to power cuts off ^ Maximum speed limit
GO INTO YOUR KITCHEN AND CHECK THE POWER RATING ON YOUR HAND MIXER, IT S LIKELY TO BE JUST 250-300W. OS MODEL AIRCRAFT ENGINE 2.5cc 0.4HP 0.4HP (298W) @ 17000RPM Yes 298w HOW MUCH IS 250W?
THE 50CC 250W MYTH! 250w (2.5cc) 50cc (1.49-6KW)
49cc KIT 5 5- -6HP 6HP (2KW) @ 6000RPM STATEMENT FROM A LOCAL SUPPLIERS WEBSITE CAN SUPPLY 3 DIFFERENT ENGINES WITH DIFFERENT POWER FOR CUSTOM MADE MOPEDS. THE 50CC 250W MYTH! (ITS NOT A HAND MIXER!)
A 250W INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE FOR BICYCLE DUTY DOES NOT APPEAR TO EXIST! IT IS TIME FOR SOME COMMON SENSE Cyclists, including pedelec users, are not prepared to bare the brunt of legislation because of individuals using essentially mopeds, who use a loop hole in the law to register them as, or for them to appear to the public, as 250w machines This is either a gross error or the media has got it wrong.
SUGGESTED CORRECTIONS TO SL65.29 & POLICY Enforcement Enforcement 250w (25KPH*) Power Assisted Pedal Cycle 50cc 1Kw 25KPH^ 50cc 1Kw 25KPH^ Low Performance Cycle Low Performance Cycle 50cc 4Kw 45KPH^ Moped L1e/L2e Human Powered Engine Powered Clause 3 (2) (a&b) 251w 251w Pedelec Pedelec Pedelec Pedelec Bicycle M/C Moped Insurance * At which point to power cuts off ^ Maximum speed limit
We (BAG) have been saying it since 2011. We will say it once more. A pedelecs primary source of power is the human propelling it. The (250w) motor only assists in the process Like the rest of Europe, we should be making it easier to use pedelecs, not more difficult
