Some questions about EBikes

GoldenVision

GoldenVision

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Whilst in Spain recently we noticed lots of people on ebikes for which pedalling was optional - presumably operated by a twist grip on the handlebars. I am right in assuming that this type of bike is no longer available in the uk?

Has anyone bought this type of ebike in the EU (I'm assuming they are available outside Spain). If so any recommendations would be most welcome.

We intend to use the ebikes in a leisurely manner when out with the van - no long rides! - and folding bikes would be preferable.
 
Illegal in the U.K.
Top speed while pedalling is 15mph then the motor cuts out.
 
i just travelled to Nottingham from colchester to buy 2 electric folding bikes. Ebay number 12579187305.
I am very happy with the guy very genuine . Well worth the trip. Not throttle control though.

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They are not illegal to use in the UK
They are not available to buy as new bikes and must be pedal assist from new, now. The legality is the power of the motor which must be below 350w as I recall.
www.axcess-electric-bikes.co.uk

Twist & Go Electric Bikes And The Law: What You Need To Know

Ever since 2016, UK law has restricted the sale and use of twist & go electric bikes. We've prepared this page to answer your questions.
www.axcess-electric-bikes.co.uk www.axcess-electric-bikes.co.uk
 
Last edited:
Mark McG said:
This article may be helpful. My wife has had one of their 705 bikes for 5 years and it has been excellent. https://wisperbikes.com/product-category/throttle-electric-bikes/
Click to expand...

I don't care what they say in their advertising, the throttle bikes are not road legal.

The applicable standard (BS EN 15194:2017) requires that two independent applying actions shall be required to start the electrical assistance mode (e.g. power switch and forward pedalling activation).

The product does not meet the requirements of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008
Click to expand...
 
pappajohn said:
I don't care what they say in their advertising, the throttle bikes are not road legal.
Click to expand...
What I think they are suggesting is that they can use the throttle to get up to walking pace, then if they pedal, it then becomes an Ebike under the regulations of the Ebike (assisted pedalling up to 15.5 MPH) but they can power the bike after they have pedalled past the 3.7MPH.

IF that is correct, I cant see much range on them if all you do is pedal at 3.7 MPH to get the motor working again
 
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I converted two push bikes to e.bikes using Yose kits.The kits came with pedal sensors and hand throttle..I found hand throttle handy when pulling away at a junction..It would accelerate to 15 mph on the throttle but it would drastically reduce the battery range plus you would get no exercise.. BUSBY.
 
Jimbohorlicks said:
They are not illegal to use in the UK
They are not available to buy as new bikes and must be pedal assist from new, now. The legality is the power of the motor which must be below 350w as I recall.
www.axcess-electric-bikes.co.uk

Twist & Go Electric Bikes And The Law: What You Need To Know

Ever since 2016, UK law has restricted the sale and use of twist & go electric bikes. We've prepared this page to answer your questions.
www.axcess-electric-bikes.co.uk www.axcess-electric-bikes.co.uk
Click to expand...
Jim, the motor must be no greater than 250W.

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Thing is we have these laws But Police are not interested..BUSBY.
 
My wife has a wisper 705 and I an 806, both have full throttle option. brilliant for when you first start off. also useful if pushing the bike uphill.
Both purchased from our local ebike shop in Bury St Edmunds back in 2019.
 
Just had a look at L1e category which the seller quotes.
It basically covers electric mopeds and as such must be registered (and carry a number plate), insured, taxed (even if it's free), a driving licence (16 upwards) and a recognised motorcycle helmet.

I wouldn't go near these shysters with your wallet let alone mine.
 
As Busby says - and just look at all the illegal scooters everywhere. Anyway we tour in the UK very infrequently, so all out cycling would be abroad (where Motorhomes are welcome and cycling is safer - but they are whole other stories...).

Many thanks for the comments so far.
 
busby said:
Thing is we have these laws But Police are not interested..BUSBY.
Click to expand...
Just see how interested the police will be if you are riding an illegal ebike and have an accident which causes injury to a third party..

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I thought the twist and go throttle ones have always been illegal in Spain as they are in most other European countries. The UK was about the last country to ban them from sale.
 
We have two ebikes foldable throttle control and pedal assist 750w motor
Throttle is handy on steep hills otherwise normal pedal assist range about twenty miles
Both of us being quite old and sensible don't make it obvious we are riding naughty bikes just steady and covert
In the scheme of things I think we pose low level crime to the police
They have transformed where we pitch up any pub/restaurant within that radius is doable and enjoyable
 
Ponner said:
We have two ebikes foldable throttle control and pedal assist 750w motor
Throttle is handy on steep hills otherwise normal pedal assist range about twenty miles
Both of us being quite old and sensible don't make it obvious we are riding naughty bikes just steady and covert
In the scheme of things I think we pose low level crime to the police
They have transformed where we pitch up any pub/restaurant within that radius is doable and enjoyable
Click to expand...
Can I ask what models they are? And where did you buy them?
 
Lenny HB said:
I thought the twist and go throttle ones have always been illegal in Spain as they are in most other European countries. The UK was about the last country to ban them from sale.
Click to expand...
W did see quite a few. And absolutely loads of scooters - not sure what the legal situation is there

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I’ve just bought a new bike from Woosh, it has a thumb throttle, you have to pedal once, then you can go throttle only up to 15.5mph. Excellent company to deal with, I got the gran Camino, cos I’m big.
Rambletta would suit you
wooshbikes.co.uk

The Rambletta | Powerful Foldable Electric Bikes with 10.4AH semi-hidden battery from Woosh

The Woosh Rambletta is the most recent 20kg folding bike from Woosh, with a large 36V * 10.4AH semi-hidden battery, very easy to stowaway, perfect for camping / caravanning.
wooshbikes.co.uk
 
A lot of these bikes seem to have been designed by a Mr Loophole,

Quote from Woosh

"If you don't want to pedal, use the throttle (by simply twisting the throttle lever).
Note: legal requirement means that you have to rotate the crank from time to time to keep the throttle active".
 
Paselec px6
Ebay
They are made in China
Only drawback is they are heavy but they they do fold up
 
Ponner said:
Paselec px6
Ebay
They are made in China
Click to expand...

We did have some from China (bought in UK) some time ago. When something went wrong, parts couldn't be obtained by local bike shops - so there was no alternative to packing it up and returning it to the supplier - which was a real pain.
 

Power assistance - “Twist and Go”​

Because of the particular benefits for elderly and disabled users, pedal cycles providing electrical assistance without use of the pedals - usually called “Twist and Goes” - are included in the above GB classification provided they are capable of pedal operation and comply with the above restrictions on maximum motor power and assistance cut-off speed.

However, under European law[footnote 4] new “Twist and Go” vehicles will, from January 2016, have to meet a range of technical requirements before they can be used on roads.

This will normally be established by “type approval” at the manufacturing stage but importers and individuals will be able to seek an individual approval for vehicles that have not been type approved.

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Thing is electric parts for them are easy to source on internet
The mechanical parts are just standard bicycle parts
 
Ponner said:
Thing is electric parts for them are easy to source on internet
The mechanical parts are just standard bicycle parts
Click to expand...

Well I'm not mechanically minded enough to fix the electrics (I wouldn't even have been able to diagnose the problem, let alone identify parts required), and all the shops I tool it to said they couldn't get the parts.
 
DerryW said:
My wife has a wisper 705 and I an 806, both have full throttle option. brilliant for when you first start off. also useful if pushing the bike uphill.
Both purchased from our local ebike shop in Bury St Edmunds back in 2019.
Click to expand...
Reading all the mixed messages, I took my e-bike for a short run this morning (end of road and back) from a standing start using twist throttle only I was able to reach 5MPH before I needed to use the pedals, once I reached 16mph the assistance from the battery cuts out. If you keep the twist throttle fully wound on (max twist) stop peddling which obviously reduces speed the e motor cuts back in. Quite cleaver I thought.
 
DerryW said:
... from a standing start using twist throttle only I was able to reach 5MPH before I needed to use the pedals...
Click to expand...
So once you reach 5mph does it continue at that speed with the throttle until you pedal, or does the battery cut out first?
 
As Coolcats said above, the law changed in 2016 so the twist grip is no longer legal on the road which does reduce the value of those produced and bought before that time but I'm open to offers on mine.

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