I ventured to the USA to see what life is like in a country with more relaxed electric bike laws than the UK.
And my findings – not only are electric bikes more popular in the US than in the UK, but they’re also more useful and more fun to ride.
I tested the Cyrusher Kommoda 3.0, an excellent cruiser and off-road bike with fat tyres, a top speed of 28mph, and a throttle.
I also tested the Cyrusher Path, more of a Dutch-style commuter bike with a zippy throttle, and a front suspension to allow for some off-road action.
🔗 You can check both of them out here: https://www.cyrusher.com/
My conclusion is that electric bikes are more popular in the US because they’re not only capable commuters, but they’re also built with true off-roading and trail capabilities. The power of a 750w motor and higher top speeds allow you to have much more of a thrill.
In the UK, the leisure sector for ebikes is more confined to slightly more ponderous and chilled weekend rides at lower speeds. Which is fine, but why not have both options?
Hit the link to subscribe to our newsletter below:
https://electroheads.com/blogs/news/sign-up-for-the-electroheads-newsletter
Lumos helmet worn by Eilis:
🇬🇧 UK: 🔗 https://ridelumos.com/ELECTROHEADS
🇺🇸 USA: 🔗 https://uk.ridelumos.com/ELECTROHEADS
LUMOS DISCOUNT CODE: ELECTROHEADS
—
We couldn’t do this without your awesome support! If you love what we do, please consider becoming a channel member:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgrtRCRLtmBzle7rjJxDUsg/join
Follow us on social to keep up with all things Electroheads:
Tweets by TheElectroheads
http://www.instagram.com/Electroheads
Check out the Electroheads website:
http://www.electroheads.com
16 Comments
The US is currently the wild west of e-bike regulations, as shown here: 30 mph/50 kmh with no pedal assist necessary. That's a fast moped most anywhere else in the developed world. The US also has a bunch of local city/state regulations that can restrict the max speed to as low as 15 mph/25 kmh. Example: NY city. E-bike laws across large parts of the US are currently a never ending patchwork of changing regulations… Constantly clamping down of allowed motor effect and/or max speed.
Seth Alvo (Berm Peak) has some very informed views about the state of ebike laws in the USA. Suffice to say, he thinks the US should look to Europe for guidance, not the other way around! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjRNoVYuo28
In New Jersey, you need an actual car driver's license and insurance to be allowed to ride ANY electric scooter or bike. Even the slowest weakest ones
0:01 what a view, i thought you were using cgi.
These are not bicycles they are motor-bikes. You are not peddling to engage the motor. Get a moped if you want a motorbike but that comes with requiring an MOT, helmet and insurance because it’s a vehicle in the UK!
We have already had a consultation to up the power to 500Ws on e-bikes and it was rejected.
You never mentioned battery use using the throttle
I have not heard of that brand but those look like really nice bikes. I love my e-bike and it makes so much sense for so many trips, but I'm notready to give up my car (I live in Canada). Also I'm a wimp when it's cold or raining out which makes cars such a better option.
UK is a joke when it comes to laws in general. Speak, the pigs will barge down your door at 3am while you're asleep. Disagree with someone it's a hate crime, and pretty much every method of transport which isn't a car is illegal outright. Starmer and his band of wannabe nazis need to go, and we need a new generation of people who actually care about reducing the number of cars on the road, and along with it pollution (both noise and noxious gasses)
Switzerland (and by extension Liechtenstein since most laws – including laws regarding E-Bikes are the same) is honestly the most liberal country in Europe when it comes to E-Bikes. There, you can actually ride 28 mph/45km/h bikes legally providing you are over 18 and have done a basic theory test, something everyone with a drivers license automatically has. Countries like Germany may have high sales, but thats only because the pigs there are even worse than in the UK and literally camp on streets stealing bikes at their leisure… doing "tests" involving them getting on the bike and pushing as hard as they can so they can say it goes too fast even though the motor's assist has already cut off.
Is it bad, I actually hope Trump invades us? 😂😂
Really is about time the government brought forward some legislation that brought the UK into the 20th century, We've been literally waiting for nearly a decade now, Go into any other country in the world and you'll see pevs been ridden legally everywhere with fantastic infrastructure to make it safe as well..
There should be absolutely zero restrictions on effect and speed for all PEV's as it's not this that creates accidents; it's bad infrastructure and irresponsible riders (often already criminals). If someone disagrees with this, you have to prove that these are per capita more dangerous than the car, and if that's the case, you have to answer why the infrastructure forces pedestrians and PEV users in the same lanes. You wouldn't think it was normal to see pedestrians being forced to walk in the middle of a road for cars, would you?
All this is strictly academic of course as the politicians love their cars and have no interest in removing their own freedoms by investing in other vehicles over cars.
Different States have different laws, in California the speed limit is 20MPH for throttle-assist, and 28MPH for pedal-assist.
I converted an old mountain bike into a 2kW ebike with a 2kWh battery 10 years ago with a throttle that goes up to 30 mph. Don't need more than that.
The freedom it gives is amazing. Dumped the car and used it in the city for commuting and for trail riding in the mountain and for long distance too with 400 W of homemade solar panels.
Never had any problems with regulations – just respect those around you and don't ride recklesslessly without regard to others.
America has far worse problems than e-bike laws with agent orange in the Whitehouse
Your Video is heavy, try uploading with different settings or another editor!
America is obviously better than EU
(…reminder, this IS the Divide States of America. Your mileage may vary…)