The European Commission is considering a major change to the legislation on electric bicycles, with very concrete impacts if it were to be enacted. We explain.
The electric bicycles Electric bikes are now part of many people's daily lives. These two wheels are often the ideal compromise for getting around easily, without getting tired and without needing gasoline. Especially since the autonomy of electric bikes is very satisfactory for the majority of owners. Their ease of acquisition, provided you have the necessary budget, is another point in their favor.
According to the European document called Regulation 168/2013, electric bikes are not considered motorized two-wheelers such as scooters for example. Consequently, they do not have to meet the obligations to which these vehicles are subject. But this is precisely what could change. The European Commission is considering modifying the classification of electric bicycles. They would then be assimilated to two-wheeled motor vehicles, with the associated constraints.
Europe would like to make this major change concerning electric bicycles
We suspect that the news would not please manufacturers, some of whom are already calling for the opening of discussions to prevent the change in status from being enacted. The German industry association ZIV explains that the "legal equivalence [of electric bikes] with bicycles" is an important part of their success. Rather than classifying them differently, it proposes "a more precise definition and limiting parameters."
Read also – This electric bike works without a battery and recharges while riding, but how?
In practice, the idea would be to limit the power of electric bikes to 750 W. Currently, there is no imposed maximum. For industry expert Hannes Neupert, this is a bad idea: "The 750-watt limit is an attack on people with physical disabilities, children, the elderly, tandem riders, cargo bikes, and families." He points out that to climb a fairly steep slope, it is important that the bike can reach a minimum of 15 km/h, regardless of its load. Limiting its power would not allow this in some cases. It is difficult to say at this stage what Europe's final decision will be. We'll probably have to wait a few years before we know.
Source: Bike Europe
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