Insurance for ebikes in Europe (1 Viewer)

[EllF]

Just read in Biksbiz ebikes declared illegal to use on European roads without 3rd party Insurance

 

[PJGWiltshire]

I think you will find that is the old type 'Twist and go' power. If your bike has pedal assist that is Ok.

Many older e bikes have twist and go and many European countries are classifying them as electric vehicles.. Can you imagine a road block looking for twist and go bikes. over time these type of bikes will just fade away to pedal assist

UK e-bike law hasn’t kept pace with other EU member states. The UK’s Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle regulations (or EAPC – the central piece of legislation governing e-bikes for sale in the UK) was implemented way back in 1982 and has only recently become updated. These regulations differed from the equivalent EU directive (EN15194) in a few key ways, imposing slightly more stringent limits on motor wattage and allowing for the use of full speed throttles (those capable of accelerating the bike to full speed independently of pedal action – also known as a twist and go). Up until April 2015, in the UK, any electric bike could:

• Be fitted with a full speed throttle
• Be ridden by someone age 14 and over
• Not be fitted with a motor exceeding 200 watts of power.
• Not exceed a weight of 40 kg (or 60 kg in the case of a tandem or tricycle)
• Have a maximum assisted speed of up to 15 mph (roughly 24 kmh)

EU harmonisation
The UK electric bike industry and the Department for Transport have long recognised these 1983 UK regulations to be antiquated. In practice, UK police enforce the standards set by the EU’s EN15194. The EN15194 regulations stipulate that e-bikes may:

• Be fitted with a motor with a power of no more than 250w
• Provide a maximum assisted speed (i.e. the speed at which motor assistance is automatically cut off) of no more than 25 kmph (roughly 15.5 mph)
• Not be fitted with a full speed throttle that can work ‘independently’ (that is without the pedals ‘moving forward’). Start Up Assist throttles (those that assist up to 6 km/h) are allowed
• Be ridden without any minimum age limit

So just get on your bike!

 

[Mikeco]

It might be beneficial to have it but it’s not a legal requirement on a pedalec bike in Spain or any other country as far as I am aware. They probably mean those bikes which can be throttle operated and also I believe more than 36v.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[EllF]

It’s quite a detailed article you can read it if you go onto Bikebiz

 

[PJGWiltshire]

A good cycle insurance specific to your cycle also offers third party insurance. The new high speed bikes coming onto the market ie 30 mph, now available in Holland may require insurance separate. These are top end bikes in excess of £6000 but changes are afoot

 

[PJGWiltshire]

It’s quite a detailed article you can read it if you go onto Bikebiz

Now I know why we are leaving the EU. What a stupid directive.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Frankiej]

Not be fitted with a full speed throttle that can work ‘independently’ (that is without the pedals ‘moving forward’).

Start Up Assist throttles (those that assist up to 6 km/h) are allowed


As well as stopping us at roadblocks, will they also be testing what speed the throttle will go up to?

 

[rosalan]

So do we need separate insurance for e-bikes with a throttle? Where should I look to obtain it and what should it cost?

 

[teddybear]

As I read the article it is still a proposal,but,if passed, will apply to all e-bikes. Each individual country could decide not to enforce the rule of it is enacted

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

So do we need separate insurance for e-bikes with a throttle? Where should I look to obtain it and what should it cost?

I think you will find the bike has to be registered as well not something DVLA can cope with.

 

[TM59]

Quite a debate in Northern Ireland recently about electric bikes. The conclusion is they are illegal. Legislation similar to the rest of the UK was never enacted. Bike needs Insurance, MOT, and registration plate. Rider needs crash helmet and licence. Of course non of the agencies are set up to deal with the current status. Several cycle shops have stopped selling them. Laughable you couldn't make it up.

 

[TM59]

Government website NIDirect

Electric bikes (electrically-assisted pedal cycles)
Electric bikes are known as ‘electrically-assisted pedal cycles’ (EAPCs). You need a motorcycle licence to ride any electric bike in Northern Ireland, and the bike must be registered, taxed and insured. You must wear a crash helmet when riding one.

What counts as an electric bike (EAPC)
An electric bike (EAPC) must be fitted with pedals that can be used to drive it forward.

It must display one item from each of the following:

• the power output or manufacturer of the motor
• the battery’s voltage or maximum speed of the bike

Its electric motor:

• must have a maximum power output of 250 watts
• should not be able to propel the bike when it’s travelling more than 15.5 mph

An electric bike (EAPC) can have more than two wheels (for example, a tricycle).

Licensing, tax and insurance
You need a moped licence to ride an electric bike (EAPC) in Northern Ireland. You can find out about such a licence on the information for moped riders page.

All electric bikes used in Northern Ireland also have to be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Further information about the DVLA registration process can be found at this link:

• Electric bikes: licensing, tax and insurance(external link opens in a new window / tab)

You must wear a crash helmet when riding an electric bike. There is useful information on the safety helmets and protective clothing for motorcyclistspage.

Electric bikes you don't have to pedal
If the electric bike can be electrically driven forward without pedalling, known as a ‘twist and go EAPC’, it must also be ‘type approved’ to make sure it’s safe to use on the road.

A 'type approved' vehicle will have a plate showing its type approval number.

Guidance on type approval for a ‘twist and go EAPC’ can be found at this link:

• European type approval for certain electrically-assisted pedal cycles (EAPC)(external link opens in a new window / tab)

If you need to type approve your ‘twist and go EAPC’, you should .

More details on type approval in general can be found at this link:

• Vehicle approval(external link opens in a new window / tab)

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}