Originally Posted by
Dockhead
Don't they? In Europe, you can use bike lanes and ride without a license only if: 1. electric assist cuts off at 25khp (15mph); and 2. there's no throttle -- i.e., you only get assist if you're pedaling yourself.
You can buy faster e-bikes -- called "Speed Pedalecs" -- but these are illegal on bike lanes, and you need registration and license like a motorcycle.
You can buy chips to raise the top speed, and being the old hooligan I am, I thought about doing that before I bought my first one. But then after a few weeks of experience I realized -- nope, that's not good, the flow of traffic is 25kph, which is fast enough, and any faster would be dangerous for pedestrians.
I don't know the rules and laws in Europe and I'm not certain about the US. I've been out of that type business for several years now and not kept up with the E-bike regulations. I do know, from past experience, that cycles of any type are dangerous when on a roadway.