Proposed changes to e-bike regulations

[classic33]

Typical non interventionist practice, if you can't police it, up the wattage so you don't have to enforce it.
Basically create a condition where you can wash your hands of it.

Edited to add...
As with e scooters, they knew full well that they wouldn't be able ( or have the will) to police it and any fool could see where this was going to end up, lots of them on the roads and paths. The point...all those scooters ( and now theoretically 500w bikes) create money, sales, taxation ( VAT )...or am I being cynical.* Putting money over people's wellbeing and safety

*Yes.
And when VED is payable on electric vehicles, from next year, they'll make even more money from them.

 

[Dadam]

*Yes.
And when VED is payable on electric vehicles, from next year, they'll make even more money from them.

VED will not be payable on EPACs

 

[classic33]

VED will not be payable on EPACs

Possibly not, but those that fall outside of the current epac regulations(EU’s EN15194 regulations) have a better chance. Mainly because they've been reclassified as mopeds in the UK.

 

[Dadam]

Yes it looks like it will apply to e-mopeds and e-motorcycles.

 

[steveindenmark]

You could just not turn it quite as much and not as often. Throttles give full control so you can use it as much or as little as you like. In contrast cadence sensor ebikes typically constantly provide power even when you don't need it, some simpler ebikes even go to full power immediately that they sense the pedals are turning. Surely that system has to be the most wasteful of power.

Regardless how much or little you use the throttle, if you do not pedal it eats into the battery power.

 

[albion]

Yes, it is surprising that rotation monitoring is still very unsophisticated. It sounds very simple to monitor rotation so that you get both antislip and very safe, economic, smooth acceleration.

 

[bonzobanana]

Regardless how much or little you use the throttle, if you do not pedal it eats into the battery power.

Yes definitely but the point is only throttles give you full control of power, cadence sensors provide constant power while under 15.5mph although some have stepped assistance speeds for each power settting, torque sensors will apply power as you need it so the harder you press down the more power you get but throttles have to be operated to provide assistance so you can decide to try that hill under your own power and then half way up when you are exhausted use the throttle. Throttles are just a brilliant way of controlling ebike power and the normal way ebike power is controlled for most ebikes in the world; Asia, Africa, North America, South America etc and even here in Europe as many simply ignore the legislation and use throttles anyway.

 

[classic33]

Yes definitely but the point is only throttles give you full control of power, cadence sensors provide constant power while under 15.5mph although some have stepped assistance speeds for each power settting, torque sensors will apply power as you need it so the harder you press down the more power you get but throttles have to be operated to provide assistance so you can decide to try that hill under your own power and then half way up when you are exhausted use the throttle. Throttles are just a brilliant way of controlling ebike power and the normal way ebike power is controlled for most ebikes in the world; Asia, Africa, North America, South America etc and even here in Europe as many simply ignore the legislation and use throttles anyway.

And under the new laws in Ireland, will require a driving licence, insurance, vehicle tax(payable yearly) and approved motorcycle helmet.

 

[raleighnut]

My 'throttle only' conversion kit was legal before they changed the regs in 2016, luckily they didn't apply them retrospectively.

I went 'throttle only' to save on battery power i.e. I'm only using assistance when I need it so bimbling around on flat roads I'm not wasting power.

 

[wiggydiggy]

I wouldn't buy an eBike with a throttle. I like the assist to be passive so I can pretend I am a real cyclist