Should UK bikes be more powerful that is exactly what ministers are discussing today taking the legal wattage from 250 watts to 500 WS those for it say that 250 wats fall short for people who need to climb steep hills or full e-c cargo bikes and delivery vehicles that need to
Carry extra weight those against it worry it creates bigger heavier more powerful electric bikes on our roads that pose a risk to pedestrians other cyclist and also the person riding the bike if they were to get into a crash bigger batteries are also going to be needed to power the bigger motor which
Could result in people looking for cheaper third party battery options which as we all know is not safe it could also result in ebikes being more like Motor Vehicles than bikes which would call for new legislation and registration I’m going to go into this in more detail in a longer form video
But for now I want to hear your comments so let me know down below
31 Comments
Literally saving up to get the 500 watt throttle version of ado beast or similar possible better bike in the 1500 price area. I think I can get a sticker to cover up 500 to 250 😂😂
Any step forward is welcome to encourage more e bike usage. I'm not a fan of a registering scheme for e-bikes.
I think the change from 20kmph (15.5mph) to 20mph is something that should be as big of a priority as this change. It seems like such a technicality carried over from Europe (😢 🇪🇺) but it would hugely increase safety for ALL road users in town & city environments. It's safer for the cyclists to keep up with the traffic flow, and safer for cars and busses not to be forced to try and overtake a tired cyclist towards to end of a long uphill stretch 😬👋
Allowing bigger power trains and keeping the same speed restriction, seems ludicrous… So we'll probably get that 🙄. Probably speaking to the choir here but still.
I am living in Ankara Turkiye. 250w power is not enough at the hilly Ankara streets.
So long as they wear a crash helmet and take a bike test no issue
Yes they should be. Its a real struggle with 250W on steep hills, i experience it every day. My battery is good & doesnt sag very much. More power is a safety feature, you can move out of a situation more quickly, it not the same as being able to ride faster.
I weigh at least 2 of you. Deffo
Kinda irrelevant you can buy a 2000w kit and stick it on an old mountain bike
Pure e scooter already has a 500w motor so its perfect for up hill and acceleration but its still restricted to 15.5mph which is fine
250w is more than enough. I have a 38kg e cargo bike. Plenty of power with 2 kids even up hill.
It's the silly 15.5mph speed limit that needs changing to something sensible like 20 mph so can keep up with traffic in 20mph zone without dangerous drivers needing to try to overtake.
500w of power you don't need bigger motor, don't need anything, just remove limiter and it'll handle that easily. Road cyclists cruise at 25mph sometimes reaching 40mph+. 20mph throttle only 500w should be legal.
Waiting for my new Bafang m620 powered EMTB that is a 1500w peak mid drive beast. With rockshox yari in the front deluxe in the back, frame is blue / purple, color changing paint, dropper seatpost, 4 piston hydro brakes, thumb throttle, etc… I do not care about nonsense regulations. I will ride in the mountains of Portugal!
Keep doing what you do best because we need people like you standing up for freedom to be able to go to places far and beyond and just what's to have a good day that's all just a good day out on the bike 🏍
The idea that a 500w e-bike is a risk to pedestrians is silly when cars still exist. Cars are the real risk that law makers refuse to confront.
Older generations can reliably throttle on at least 500 watt, already assuming there's going to be a stronger desire. 250 w isn't that advantageous of an aid given cost and additional weight 🤷
If they start requiring helmets, that would become a problem for me
I don't understand this? Surely they are already legal in the UK – you just need to register, tax and insure them (and presumably pass an MOT or equivalent) if you want to use them on public roads? Saying that cars are dangerous and not limited to 2hp (as some comments have pointed out) is correct, but they also have mandatory tax and insurance.
Y'all are begging for 500 watts? I just ordered a 3000 watt and I'm working on a 5000 watt.
I have a ado beast type bike and am smitten with it they say it s got a 250 watt motor can go to 500 what dose that mean can,t get head round it
I build and repair lithium battery packs. The ones I build are better than original and very very very safe
If you're going to push for a "greener" mode of transportation then why make it difficult for people to go green?
I thought you already can register a more powerful e-bike to use legally. Registration naturally means you don't have the same freedoms such as they must be used on a road.
From Canada I hope it is increased to 500 or 750 watts for all of you.
So we can drive 3 ton pedestrian killing machines but an ebike that can keep up with traffic is too dangerous? So much corruption is at play.
They absolutely should. I beleive the current restrictions were informed by the moped manufacturers who saw a real threat to their 50cc market. I think the Government got the whole rollout of personal electric transport arse-backwards and I would do the following:
1. Allow faster e-bikes with a top speed of max 30 mph
2. E-bikes (and e-scooters) and batteries have to have a Britsh Kite mark meaning the system is safety tested
3. Should have to go through an annual safety check at a reputable shop e.g. Halfords, the process of the test woujd also see the bike/scooter registered
4. A proportion of the fee should be paid into a groupwide insurance scheme to cover potential accidents to persons. (not sure if this should include prioperty e.g. cars)
5. Unregistered bikes and scooters without a kite mark could be immediately siezed by police for no reason and be destroyed
6. Registered bikes and scooters could be siezed/impounded/destroyed for traffic infringements, riding on pavements etc.
7. E-Bikes can then be like e-scooters and have a throttle rather than have to be peddaled
8. Helmets are mandatory for both e-bikes and e-scooters
9. In town and city areas the higher top of 30mph will prevent close passes as riders wil be able to keep up with town traffic speeds
10. If users are mandated to buy from reputable brands rather than take a cheap chinese import the prices will drop anyway. Although bike retailers could import chinese e-bikes but they have to sell them with cpproved battery and charger combos
In most cases you don't need a bigger battery than you have with a 250w motor
My problem with it is that if you mix cycles with cars due to the speed didderential it means the cyclist is vulnerable also if you mix pedestrians with fast scooter/ cycle traffic the same problems are an issue.
Faster E bikes & scooters mixing it with motor vehicles out of the two feels safest.
It's a complex area with some very vulnerable traffic.
I am happy at 15.5mph, but another 5mph would be handy to stop us being overtaken by nutters and torque is more important than speed, due to steep hills. Now if you look at the Suron bikes…those things should be banned on roads
Need to be licensed and insured like motorcycles.
I'm not sure that more power is really necessary. Perhaps there could be a separate category for more powerful, throttle controlled ebikes. What I would like to see is the speed limit of supported riding to be raised from 15.5 mph to 20 mph. This would be much safer and, frankly, bring ebikes more in line with normal push bikes.
That’s actually pretty awesome
Sheeple in Europe you should run the government not the other way around