MICROMOBILITY
LESS HASTE, A
cross Europe, particularly in Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands, there’s a movement of faster-paced electric bikes that
are helping to enable people to choose bikes over car ownership. It’s not cargo bikes, but the perhaps lesser known category of speed pedelecs, or S-pedelecs. These types of electric bikes can provide assistance up
to 45km/h, and be equipped with a motor that can provide more than the usual 250W of continuous power. While you still need to pedal to operate these bikes, the extra speed can provide benefits for those who perhaps feel an EAPC (electrically-assisted pedal cycle) e-bike isn’t quite up to the task - for example, those with longer commutes, or on busy roads where something a bit faster would make riders feel safer mixing with traffic.
www.bikebiz.com
MORE SPEED
The speed pedalec market has not yet taken hold in the UK, in part due to the restrictive legislation around high-powered e-bikes, but many believe they could be the next revolution in urban transport. Rebecca Bland dives into this evolving market
But while this part of the e-mobility revolution continues in parts of Europe, the UK is desperately lagging behind, with uptake and awareness stuck behind miles of red tape and confusing legislation. To legally ride a speed pedelec in the UK, consumers need to have an applicable driving licence and go through a time- consuming registration, taxation and insurance process, arrange an MoT for the bike after three years, and wear a motorcycle helmet when riding it.
Why? Because the UK classes S-pedelecs as e-mopeds. Because of this classification, it also limits where
customers can ride their S-pedelecs. Essentially, any shared-use paths or cycle lanes are out of the question, including some bus lanes – depending on the local authority.
March 2023 | 35
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