Electric Bikes

[woodstock]

Just seen in caravan and camping magazine that electric bikes with throttles are banned in Spain and France. Only the pedal ones accepted

 

[Judge Mental]

if you use forum search function it will throw up passed posts on subject

 

[pappajohn]

From what i can find its the throttle version in question....not the pedal assist version.

One snippet i found on a cycle forum.....but of course its the usual 'friend of a friend' scenario

I was recently informed by a customer in Spain that the police there are also cracking down. A friend of theirs was recently fined €2,200 for riding a bike with a throttle and no EN15194 certification

 

[Mikeco]

Not banned in Spain at least but a requirement to have 3rd party insurance.
A few people here at La Manga have taken out the insurance from a local company for around £25 but others have not bothered.
The local police however have not bothered anyone as far as I know and there are plenty of German and Dutch cyclists around on expensive bikes.

Mike

 

[Judge Mental]

Dear oh dear...Completely wrong! Sorry but if your riding a bike with throttle that does not conform with EN15194 and get pulled, they will not be looking for 3rd party liability insurance, but full motor vehicle insurance as it will be deamed a low powered moped and not an e bike.

The Dutch and Germans probably riding perfectly legal german bikes. Its s big if if you get pulled though... all depends on how risk adverse you are! but one women who ended up in court fighting the fine of 4000 euro lost and got hit with another 400 in court costs. We ride quality German bikes so no worries....

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[pappajohn]

Yet another reason to avoid Spain.

Let's face it....they want us on aeroplanes, staying in all inclusive holiday apartments but if you drive there with your own accommodation ...you ain't welcome.

 

[Judge Mental]

Its a Europe wide law not just Spain, UK adopting it soon...but its not retrospective

 

[Ber090]

Just spoken to A.S. bikes of Coventry as we head for Spain next week. They say I need Certificate of Conformity and a screw in the throttle to lock it. They are Emailing Certificate and instruction sheet. The bike will still work on pedal assist.
Cheers
Bernie

 

[hilldweller]

Just spoken to A.S. bikes of Coventry as we head for Spain next week. They say I need Certificate of Conformity and a screw in the throttle to lock it. They are Emailing Certificate and instruction sheet. The bike will still work on pedal assist.
Cheers
Bernie

It's absolutely insane. When setting off a big handful of throttle gets you moving that bit safer.

How can they issue a CoC for a bike that does not conform ?

 

[Judge Mental]

They cant. its simply a get out of jail invention by these companies selling bikes that are only legal in the UK and NOT informing buyers of the situation in europe.

asking them for advice is like going back to an abuser and asking what have i done wrong

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[Steve101uk]

My Dad uses one of these, with a throttle. We are off to France this summer. Any idea which insurance to get to be legal?

thanks

 

[Judge Mental]

My Dad uses one of these, with a throttle. We are off to France this summer. Any idea which insurance to get to be legal?

thanks

just read past posts. with a throttle it's NOT AN E BIKE exempt from registration IF EN15194

So it falls under motor vehicle regs. so it will need a driving licence, testing, insurance and tax (zero rated).

 

[hilldweller]

They are grade 1 b*******ds. Do they ask for CoC for motorbikes, cars, scooters, pushbikes, buggies, NO.

EVERYTHING sold or put into use in the EU has to have a certificate of conformity which is signified by a CE mark on the item, go grab something and if it's big enough you'll see CE, in the instructions, it any, you may also see a signed declaration.

So why are the targeting ebikes ? It's just taking the p$$$ for the money.

 

[Judge Mental]

but they have always been illegal in europe? probably that they have just realised how many are riding around on them, who knows! like I said earlier chances of getting pulled negligible, with the big "but" being if you do get pulled your not talking about a slap on the wrist but massive fines for driving a motorised vehicle without.... etc...etc....

 

[hilldweller]

but they have always been illegal in europe?.

Yes.

Apart from the old "if it's legal in the country of origin..." which brings us to A-frames.

What annoys is the Spanish attitude, this is a very minor legal quibble, we are not talking about safety to the public, they could easily have had a long period of "remove your battery or fix your throttle Sir", but no €1000 fine is obscene. And as I said about, there is no requirement to carry a CoC for a motorbike, or a crash helmet so why an ebike.

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[busby]

Simple answer,,,use an old fashioned push bike,,,cheaper and it will get you fit,,,BUSBY

 

[pappajohn]

Yes.

Apart from the old "if it's legal in the country of origin..." which brings us to A-frames.

What annoys is the Spanish attitude, this is a very minor legal quibble, we are not talking about safety to the public, they could easily have had a long period of "remove your battery or fix your throttle Sir", but no €1000 fine is obscene. And as I said about, there is no requirement to carry a CoC for a motorbike, or a crash helmet so why an ebike.

See post #6 Brian.

 

[hilldweller]

See post #6 Brian.

Oh yes I saw that, forgot to "like" it.

 

[MitchandJenny]

Stick a "drop down" Gennie onto the front wheel. Sod em !! (( And mount a machine gun ))

 

[Ber090]

Thanks guys for all your wonderful words of encouragement! Just to get you really going we also have a Swift!
Luv
Bernie

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[Judge Mental]

these treads allways go the same way....

Thanks guys for all your wonderful words of encouragement! Just to get you really going we also have a Swift!
Luv
Bernie

well at least now aware of the facts...As for the swift my condolences
have a great trip...will be down a couple of months behind you

 

[Ber090]

these treads allways go the same way....


well at least now aware of the facts...As for the swift my condolences
have a great trip...will be down a couple of months behind you

Thanks Judgemental, I am now aware of "your" interpretation of the facts. ( luv the Swift!)

 

[Judge Mental]

for heavens sake why do i bother...they do say ignorance is bliss, do wonder why you bothered asking in the first place!lol

 

[gus-lopez]

They are grade 1 b*******ds. Do they ask for CoC for motorbikes, cars, scooters, pushbikes, buggies, NO.

EVERYTHING sold or put into use in the EU has to have a certificate of conformity which is signified by a CE mark on the item, go grab something and if it's big enough you'll see CE, in the instructions, it any, you may also see a signed declaration.

So why are the targeting ebikes ? It's just taking the p$$$ for the money.

No, here in Spain they want a Cof C for anything being re-registered , car, bike , M/home , trailers,etc. Any older vehicle that never came with a CoC can have a non-destructive 1800€ inspection.
Yes all fines for breaching laws in Spain are eye watering. That is what the legal system is based on . Failing to comply with the regulations. Justice has nothing to do with it.

Yes.

Apart from the old "if it's legal in the country of origin..." which brings us to A-frames.

What annoys is the Spanish attitude, this is a very minor legal quibble, we are not talking about safety to the public, they could easily have had a long period of "remove your battery or fix your throttle Sir", but no €1000 fine is obscene. And as I said about, there is no requirement to carry a CoC for a motorbike, or a crash helmet so why an ebike.

Towing a non-registered trailer, i.e. no spanish papers will get you a bigger fine than that. Or failing to register your solar power system is between 6-30million € fine!!
It's not having the correct paperwork & not complying with the law that bring the fines, & they are always huge.
You have to remember that the UK legal system is justice based & the Spanish one is based on adherence to the laws. Justice & compensation have nothing to do with not complying with the laws.
You can always take it up with the EU directly if you consider that they shouldn't be insisting on it. Using this ;
http://europa.eu/youreurope/advice/eligibility_en.htm
Or it may come under
http://ec.europa.eu/solvit/index_en.htm
Through the Solvit system.

 

[hilldweller]

Justice has nothing to do with it..

Thanks for that valuable insight.

Obviously no point in trying to fight them, they're bigger than me and I'm too old anyway.

Now the question is, for our old bikes, do they need a CoC if there is no battery carried ? Seems a logical solution but I reckon they don't do logic.

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[Judge Mental]

not a clue.....thats tricky and don't think anyone will be able to answer to be honest. it will be down to what happens on the ground there IF you get stopped. Nice man with gun or horrible one

 

[hilldweller]

Nice man with gun or horrible one

Do nice men carry guns ?

 

[Steve101uk]

Found this from the
British Electric
Bicycle Association

Broken Link Removed

 

[Judge Mental]

Do nice men carry guns ?

sometimes......how else do they catch the nasty men with guns otherwise. have had run ins with the horrible variety! (spanish traffic police) before now (trumped up speeding charge) and escorted to a cash machine. ones in tourist towns tend to be far more amicable

 

[Phill D]

Just spoken to A.S. bikes of Coventry as we head for Spain next week. They say I need Certificate of Conformity and a screw in the throttle to lock it. They are Emailing Certificate and instruction sheet. The bike will still work on pedal assist.
Cheers
Bernie

surely this wont be CE compliant or legal, it will not conform to any certificate and ...... can be removed at any time ... like 2 seconds after a "nice" policeman has left you in peace....

this company will not be liable for your fines if this is unacceptable to the man who stops you and checks your bike out.

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