RETAILERS
PHOTO BY YUN CHO ON UNSPLASH
Speed pedelecs There’s little doubt that you will still get customers come in that obsess over speed and while for a long time it seemed impossible to legally operate a speed pedelec in the UK down to the simple fact that insurance was impossible to find, it seems the Stromer ST1X, ST2, ST2S and ST5 are now listed in the insurance ABI database, so very likely findable by insurers inclined to take the business. One reader informs us that they were successful using the MCNcompare tool, more commonly used by motorcyclists.
Of course, this is no longer classified as a bicycle, rather it’s now akin legally to a low-powered moped. So, with that said, your customer will take on the liability of fitting a numberplate, obtaining the aforementioned insurance, getting an MOT and of course a driving license valid with this vehicle class (CBT required), and registering for VED taxes, though the cost is likely to be £0 on account of the EV status. A higher standard helmet will also be required, something along the lines of the Lazer Anverz or Cratoni C-loom, both of which are certified for use on speed Pedelecs.
Beware, thieves are getting smarter A final point that we would be remiss to mention is our understanding that electric bike thieves are getting smart
52 | March 2025
to the digital features found in an electric bike, namely GPS trackers. As these trickledown into lower price points, customers are getting an incredible tool to track their bikes, even set alarms to deter thieves. Sometimes having this feature can lower an insurance premium too. Be aware that thieves know about these features and very often use them to their advantage. We have heard from London retailers about one gang that was planting their own trackers on a stolen bike, selling, stealing again, and repeat. So, if an electric bike of unknown origin lands with suspicious circumstances or characters be sure to inspect it thoroughly and of course, check it against any existing databases you can find. Though you’d think GPS will eventually lower crime
rates, quite often it’s the case that thieves steal a bike, leave it out in public for a few days and see if anyone comes for it. If your customer is quick, this can be used to their advantage, but the more risk-averse among us may wish to call on the services of BackPedal, a new private security business that works in conjunction with the police and hired heavies to trace, track and recover stolen bikes as part of a subscription service that now includes an insurance component.
www.bikebiz.com
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