HaraldvonBlauzahnBosch manager in interview: eBike over-motorization is a risk to our business, because eBikes with more than 800 Watt power will lead to much stricter regulations
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I am once again asking the question: Why don’t cars have built-in speed regulators?
There’s constant chatter about the potential risks associated with the rise in e-bikes, but little to no mention of regulating the existing menace. You want to talk about excessive power? Look no further.
Not that I don’t agree with you, but to be fair, cars do require a license, they have to be registered and reguraly checked, which is not the case for a bike. In my opinion the failure here is that those should not be allowed for sale as bikes. Those are motocycle in all but name.
In Norway e-bikes are extremely strictly regulated: They need to have a power output of 250 W or less, motor output has to be linked to your pedaling movements, and the motor has to shut off completely when you reach 25 km/h. Anything more than that and you need to register it as a scooter/motorcycle. At which point you need a drivers licence, insurance, and can no longer ride it on bike paths. I was under the impression that this was an EU requirement. But maybe S-Pedelecs are treated like normal bicycles in the rest of Europe?
But maybe S-Pedelecs are treated like normal bicycles in the rest of Europe?
No, it’s exactly like you’ve described.
It’s the same in the EU but as with cars, the power can be electronically limited, so the user can remove the limitation with some limited tinkering.
So you end up with and electric motorbike, and there is no regular check or registration. I have also never Heard of any form of control about this.
Still better than letting people buy cars that can go 250kmh and trusting them with it, but at least you can track car owners.