E-Bikes Should Not Require Pedaling, Proposes U.K. Government, Diverging From E.U.

We're basically talking about a low power motorcycle/scooter with optional pedals at that point.

It doesn't add any cost to include a throttle on the ebike.

Regulate speeds, not mechanisms. Moving people to micromobility is a benefit regardless of the form of that micromobility. Speed is the safety concern, not any of this loophole-inducing nonsense.

Here we have these 25kph IAmAbikeAndNotAMotorcylce Frankensteins on the bike lane and I freaking hate it. They go illegaly on the pedestrian, look at their phones while driving, block the narrow bike lanes. They should be supposed to have a drivers license and go on the street. Most if not all of them are food couriers. They should be treated as such.

Sorry for the rant, and funny enough I live in the EU (in Austria)

.....isn't that just a motorcycle or scooter?

Based on the other things the UK gov has been saying, I assume this is some ploy to reduce the prevalence of e bikes.

UK govt just invented vespas.

I don't really see the point in removing the ability to pedal. What, just to remove yet another age old tried and true basic technology from our lives? Pedals offer an alternative natural power source when your battery gets low, and some people still occasionally enjoy exercise.

32KPH ≈ 20MPH

That does sound fairly reasonable for a bicycle speed limit. Most typical mechanical bicycles tend to have an average comfortable cruising speed of around 11 to 12MPH. Max speed really depends on the gearing of the bike and how much energy the rider can put into it, but it's not unreasonable nor difficult to refrain from going over 20MPH.

If I do ever get an electric bicycle, I want mine with the option to pedal as well.

e-"scooters" are a thing FFS.

https://www.gogoro.com/

https://www.fonzmoto.com/

I like it. I'm an ebike rider here in Canada and we have 500w restrictions at 32km/h, honestly, 500w might be fine for average size people but I'm a heavy dude. When my bike is restricted to the legal limit, and I'm on any kind of difficult terrain or incline, the machine struggles. I bought a 750nom/850peak ebike for myself and it is absoltuly nessecary for safe and effectic operation. Limiting the power is just asking for me to take an injury or fail to launch.

I still observe the 32km/h limit and leave my speed limiter on.

I think the lines between ebike, escooter, and emotorcycle are pretty blurred right now.

The primary delineation should be speed. This bike path has an upper limit of 30 mph, this road has a lower limit of 45 mph no matter which 2 or more wheels you're on. And no wheels allowed on the pedestrian only sidewalk.

The tech and use has changed enough that governments should rethink this entire space, IMHO.

As long as the speed limit remains the same as for pedal-assist bikes then I don't really see any difference wether the rider is pedaling or not.

Ehhhhhh I can't agree. When you're pedaling it's a completely different feel and mentality. It still feels very much like a bicycle and you belong in bike lanes.

No pedaling is a motorbike and you belong on the road.

Only exemption is for physically disabled. I think they could have no pedaling and 30 km/h just so they have access to bike lanes.

Kind of stupid idea. There is a place and need for light weight transport that is assisted bicycle. Our law classifies these (and electric scooters) as light electric vehicles and has special set of rules for them. Things like when driving on pedestrian paths they can't move faster than 5km/h. On roads maximum is 25km/h but they have to wear reflective west. Kids must wear helmets, etc. For the most part sensible requirements.

That said I am of the opinion everyone should take a test to participate in traffic, bicycles included. For bikes there aren't many rules they need to know anyway. They can skip almost all of the signs except those for the right of way. So it would be easy test but a necessary one. And simply bar kids on bicycles in traffic lanes and that's it. Safest for everyone.

Just so you know, ebikes sold in Europe don't have a hand throttle, because laws.

But also, most ebike manufacturers use generic motor controllers.

Is there a small panel somewhere on your ebike? Take it off and see if there's a small aluminium box in there with dozens of wires coming out of it.

Chances are, one of those sets of wires ends in an unused black plug, with a red, a black, and a green wire going to it.

That's the throttle plug.

Any old generic throttle from Crapazon will fit it. You might have to swap the wire colours.

Enjoy :)

That's a moped. I suppose they have their space too.

As an American immigrant among the English, I have never seen a deliverer pedal their bike in my LIFE. We're not even talking about changing what happens, we're talking about reducing the burden on the police.

They're too busy putting the boot in on people who don't like genocide, so I get it.

25kph is too slow for road ebikes. I wish they would allow these to at least be 32kph/20mph.

I don't mind the idea, I'm in the US but I've got a 250w ebike w/the EU speed limit* just because it was cheaper... plus faster is less efficient and human power means I get less blob-like so it's a win-win.

Then again, it does have a twist throttle and I use this most often to slowly approach** or accelerate out of a stop sign (esp. crossing a road). Sometimes I've used it so I didn't need to pedal in the sun (I cannot really sweat). I've needed to use it twice when my chain fell off and I didn't have gloves with me. But generally my legs are contributing something... I wouldn't mind some sort of different throttle programming, but really I don't think my bike is one that is an issue at all w/throttle and throttle programming definitely wouldn't cover all of these scenarios.

Another thing is if I come to a stop and have forgotten to change gears, throttle is a save there too thanks to it not using the chain for its gearing. Or it can just mean less gear-changing in general.

*= 25 km/h (~15mph). I have not changed it, plus my bike (with me riding it at least) is not even quickly hitting this speed, most of the time I was going ~10mph. To hit motor cutoff speed on flat ground I'd probably need to be be in highest gear+PAS and be really putting a lot of effort in (including leaning down for less drag, I normally ride in a relaxed position).

**= cadence sensor does not allow it w/o brake usage