Electric vehicles

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Electrical bikes (or Extra Light Vehicles – under 40 kg) can be divided in 2 categories.

E-bikes are bikes with a motor in the front or rear wheel that can cause the bike to move without the rider using the pedals.

Pedelecs are bikes with a motor in the front or rear wheel that  only cause the bike to move when the rider is pedalling.

When is an electric bike considered to be a bicycle and when a moped, according to relevant legislation?

According to article 1h of the EU Directive 2002/24/CE with regards to the legislation for homologation of vehicles with 2 or 3 wheels, this Directive does NOT apply to ´electric bikes that have an auxiliary motor of max. 0,25kW, of which power gradually decreases and finally is interrupted when the bike reaches a speed of 25 km/hr, or before that if the cyclists stops pedalling´. As a result of this, electric bikes or ´pedelecs´ that meet these specifics, should be considered as ordinary bicycles re legislation.

Several cases of riders of pedelecs being mistaken for E-bikes and consequently fined heavily for not having insurance etc. have been published in the media. Would recommend to print the first two pages of the EU Directive as linked to above, to have handy to show a guardia when stopped. And demonstrate that the electric motor of your bike doesn´t work if the pedals are not moved. If they are still not convinced after that and proceed to sanction you, said pages plus information from the manufacturer about the workings of the motor should suffice to appeal the fine.

So E-bikes, of which the auxiliary motor makes the bike move without having to move the pedals and any bikes that exceed speeds of 25 km/hr or of which the motor doesn´t automatically disconnect at 25km/hr,  are considered conventional mopeds and thus should be homologated as such and meet reglamentary obligations, like insurance, matriculation, register for road tax, wear helmet, minimum age and licence to ride it etc.

Hope this helps

Mike

I know I will be condemned for this but I think that any machine that can cause injury or damage in an accident should by law have insurance...that includes pedal cycles..More so the Lycra boys who take up all the road a d expect cars to go across fields to give them the space..but as for these electric bikes as discussed I agree with original post...they should be registered and insured and abide by the rules like the rest of us..

Everyone should have insurance, even pedestrians!! That case where the stupid girl looking (addicted) at her phone stepped of the footpath right into the path of a cyclist. Both were unconscious, but she won her case AGAINST the cyclist. Unbeliveable action from the judge, and court costs are so high the poor chap might go bankrupt. Third party insurance for everyone in this litigious world we now live in!

Agree with you on that one..I agree it works both ways and agree with your comments, should be illegal not to look where you walking and if using a phone you should stand still..personally I can do no other..bit like driving without due care and attention...but it’s a bit like pedestrians here where they just walk straight across a zebra crossing..times I have seen close calls and that includes me but the look you get..

Whatever the law, I have seen local police on the C/Rio Nalon stopping cyclists - normal bikes without power assistance - and making them get off and walk. I felt like going over and shaking their hands!

Be right behind you Peter..👍🏻

As I understand from what I read recently in the newspapers the Spanish Government are about to change the laws concerning banning any electric bike/scooter from use on the pedestrian walkway amd mandatory insurance etc.

Keep your eye on the newspapers/news in the near future.

An electric scooter rider last week on the playa walkway travelling at silent high speed only veered away from my Wife and small dog a split second before he nearly collided with her from behind.

Unfortunately my attempt to neckswipe him missed.  I will keep a more vigilant eye open in future walks. Perhaps better luck next time.😊

As always try and capture offenders on video if you get chance.

Cyclists under current legislation are only allowed to ride two abreast on a dual carriageway, however very few comply with this especially the " clubs".

I have often been stuck for miles behind uncaring cyclists who ride in packs sometimes 20 or thirty or more and as much as 5 or 6 abreast. Unlawful.

On the basis I have read of cyclist who have been known to get motorists prosecuted with headcam videos where the motorist did not obey either 5m back rule or 1.5m passing rule perhaps motorists should use their in-car videos to get inconsiderate cyclists fined too.  (Yes, I am a daily cyclist but would never cycle two abreast especially on narrow winding roads).

Lets hope the proposed new legislation happens sooner rather than later. 👍🏻

Have a look at the N332 facebook group...a lorry load of impounded illegals (2-wheeled not 2-legged).

👍🏻