Electric Bikes - What are the rules for electric bicycle?

I am an Administrator of an italian Forum about electric bicycles

www.jobike.it

We are discussing about international rules

In Europe the maximum continuous motor power is <= 250W

The motor must run only if pedals runs

The maximum assisted speed must be <= 25km/h

No assurance, no helmet, no driver licence requested


And on USA? Are there common rules for all the States or the rules differ subtantially?

And in Canada : I have readed that maximum speed must be under 32km/h and maximum power is 500W
Needs assurance and licence ? Needs pedalling?

Thanks in advance and ..... ciao .....


Pix

pixbuster,

It can be confusing in the United States. The federal government has a definition of "power assisted bicycles" but it is only for determining which federal safety standards apply to a particular powered bicycle. Electric bicycles that travel under 20 MPH and have motors 750W or less are classified as "power assisted bicycles" and only have to meet safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Administration (the rationale is that this is a consumer product not a motor vehicle). Powered bicycles that do not meet the definition of "power assisted bicycles" must meet the more stringent safety standards set for motorcycles and mopeds by the National Highway Transportation Safety Board.

Congress has left it up to the individual 50 states on whether to allow electric bicycles to be operated on public roads and what conditions to impose (licensing, insurance, etc.). New York bans electric bicycles from public roads (they can only be operated legally on private property). Each state has different laws and regulations.

If you haven't already, check this out. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws#State_requirements_for_use

The laws in Alberta Canada are brand new, and therefore are not well written.

It looks like they changed the definitions, but did not reveiw the laws. An ebike is called a "power assisted bicycle". The Alberta highway traffic safety acts defines 'motorvehicle' with a specific exclusion for power assisted bicycle. Hence, an ebike does not required license or registration

However, the safety equipment regulation act has a definition for 'cycle' which is still a bit screwed up. Unfortunately, this means that a power assisted bicycle requires lights, turn signal, and a muffler( I am not joking :lol:). To further fustrate me, the operator is expected to wear a motorcycle helmet.

I am worried about getting stopped by an officer that is well informed about the laws, and enforces them to the letter :trainwreck:

In New York, where electric bicycles are not permitted on public roads, how specific is the definition of "electric bicycle"?
Is electric assist considered the same as purely electric?
Are they talking those electric scooters with pedals?
Is there a provision, to license an electric assisted bike, so you can ride it on a public road?

To me, and "electric bicycle" is one which does not require any physical input from the rider, other than to operate the throttle and brake.
That is different from an "electric assisted bicycle", which requires the rider to pedal and merely assists the rider, adding to the rider's effort, resulting in more speed and somewhat easier hill climbing.

martybucs

The distinction that you make is JUST exactly the one that the new law would formalize in DMV codes. Right now any bicycle with an added motor or engine is Illegal.

After passage, an "electric assisted bicycle" would be legal.

Don

In the province of Ontario in Canada, we are just coming to the end of a trial period. The rules appear to have been changed slightly around what constitutes an electrically assisted bicycle (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/emerging/#power).

Originally electric scooters were included, but the pictures have disappeared from the government website and it now shows a regular bike with a motor and states that they must have muscle power as primary power source. That excludes scooters because you can't pedal them.

My MPP (provincial politician) tells me that because of a deluge of complaints regarding scooter riders (riding on the sidewalk, carrying passengers, riding without helmet, riding on park paths and bicycle lanes), the scooters will get separate legislation. Municipal law may also have to change because riding a regular bicycle on the sidewalk is against the law, but because the scooter wheels are smaller, it appears as if it is legal. Needless to say pedestrians are up in arms.

Very interesting

Many thanks to all for info

We wait you on our italian forum ... and in Italy

ciao

Ops i have a new question

"power", here in Europe, is defined as "maximum continuous power on wheel" so our 250W motors may give 400-500W for a limited amount of time (starting or climbing)

The power of 500W or 750W is a maximum on every condition or the maximum CONTINUOS power ?

Thank you again

The public law in the US isn't that detailed. It simply specifies an electric motor less than 750W (1 H.P.).

Here's the language from section 1 of Public Law 107-319.

"(b) For the purpose of this section, the term `low-speed electric bicycle' means a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 mph."

Again, in the U.S., the federal definition simply applies to which safety standards apply to electric bicycles. Low-powered electric bicycles meeting the above definition have less stringent safety standards to meet--those standards are set by the Consumer Product Safety Administration. Higher-powered electric bicycles have to meet the more stringent safety standards set for mopeds and motorcycles by National Transportation Safety Board.

With respect to operating issues (insurance, licensing, operator's license) you have to look to the individual states. Here's the link again to information on bike laws within the various states. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws#State_requirements_for_use

Many thanks Nwmtnbkr !

The public law in the US isn't that detailed. It simply specifies an electric motor less than 750W (1 H.P.).

Here's the language from section 1 of Public Law 107-319.

"(b) For the purpose of this section, the term `low-speed electric bicycle' means a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 mph."

Again, in the U.S., the federal definition simply applies to which safety standards apply to electric bicycles. Low-powered electric bicycles meeting the above definition have less stringent safety standards to meet--those standards are set by the Consumer Product Safety Administration. Higher-powered electric bicycles have to meet the more stringent safety standards set for mopeds and motorcycles by National Transportation Safety Board.

With respect to operating issues (insurance, licensing, operator's license) you have to look to the individual states. Here's the link again to information on bike laws within the various states. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws#State_requirements_for_use

I'm in the USA, and I even have two questions--
1--Do any US states even use the federal definition?
2--Also,,,,,, do any companies even sell a complete bicycle that is too powerful for the federal definition? Because I know that there are many kits that can be more powerful, but the CPSC doesn't regulate component parts, only assembled bicycles.

-------

From what I know, all 50 US states make their own separate laws, using whatever terminology and technical definitions they want.

Some states allow any type of motorized bicycle, some specify a internal-combustion-engine displacement limit or a maximum speed limit, some states only allow electric bikes, some states don't allow any type of motorized bicycle, some states require motorized bikes to be registered as mopeds/scooters, some states prohibit registering motorized bicycles at all, and finally,,,,,,,, a few states do not offer any law at all; the matter is a gray area.

If you're in the USA and want a motorized bicycle, you must find out your own state's laws. You cannot "predict" one state's laws based on any other.
~

Rules are like women, they come and go, dont worry about them

Rules are like women, they come and go, dont worry about them

WOW!! What century is this?

Rules are like women, they come and go, dont worry about them

Rules are NOT quite the same as women.