Id like to see how far you get in a car limited to 250w.
That said if you need to change legislation it’s not that difficult to do it properly and put in a proper legal framework for them.
Electric scooters and the law
- Thread starter Lmg80
- Start date
Id like to see how far you get in a car limited to 250w.
That said if you need to change legislation it’s not that difficult to do it properly and put in a proper legal framework for them.
Soldato
It is difficult, that's why we generally don't have specific rules for this type of thing.
It's much easier to have a blanket rules like "any self-propelled vehicle is defined as a motor vehicle" rather than having different definitions for different self-propelled vehicles. You'd be forever trying to patch up loopholes.
Soldato
My intention was to classify eScooters as eBikes, not declassify eBikes..
It's complicated and stupid to create a new class of motorcycle (https://www.gov.uk/ride-motorcycle-moped/bike-categories-ages-and-licence-requirements) when it's bleedin obvious that eScooters/eBikes are pretty much the same thing for the same people achieving the same purpose..
Arguably this is a chance to simplify things..
Soldato
Ok, i see. I still don't think that would be simple. What differentiates an escooter from other vehicles?
Want to drive a car but don't have a licence? Just limit it to 15mph and call it an escooter.
Motorbike failed it's MOT? Limit to 15mph, call it an escooter and keep riding it on the road.
It’s not that difficult. A legal framework exists for ebikes and other types of vehicle, there is no reason why one couldn’t exist for light weight personal self propelled vehicles. If you were even that concerned you could even make it so those vehicles had to be type approved by a 3rd party or the DfT but that would push up costs.
You aren’t thinking this through, there are more requirements that if something had a 15mph limit. For instance the 250w power limit, the bigger the vehicle, the lower it goes when you are power limited.
Just look at how these things work in Europe if you want examples of how to do it. It’s literally the U.K. dragging it’s feet on this.
In France, at the age of 14 you can drive one of these:
https://www.engadget.com/hands-on-citroen-ami-ev-133032057.html
Imagine the outrage of someone proposed that in the U.K.
In France, at the age of 14 you can drive one of these:
https://www.engadget.com/hands-on-citroen-ami-ev-133032057.html
Imagine the outrage of someone proposed that in the U.K.
Soldato
Yes, that's what I mean. You could easily include any type of self-propelled vehicle (and have a weight limit if you want so it's any lightweight self-propelled vehicle) but it wouldn't be easy to only include escooters without any other type of vehicle.
I suppose that's maybe not a huge issue though? Just have a free-for-all of any type of self-propelled vehicle limited to 250w/15mph allowed.
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Soldato
I'd say the real issue is that EAPC's (eBikes) where bodged in the law and actually they could have simplified things hugely by creating a new class (as per the linked motorcycle categories above) that is electrically powered, <250W, <15.5mph and even add a weight/size restriction, i.e. < 30kg and a max of 2 wheel inline with a width of < 50cm..
State you need no licence, insurance or registration for that class with a minimum age of 14 and must comply with all rules that apply to cycles..
As mentioned, other countries manage to be far more forward looking and promoting smaller, cleaner transport, we are being so backwards.. Just look at our EV handling in general..
Good luck balancing a Harley at 15mph
Outrage because?
Those are gimped cars available on a gimped licence available from the age of 14 and are expensive for their performance. Also the rental company isn't letting anyone under 18 rent one so an actual 14 year old would need mum and dad to pay ~7 grand for the vehicle.
If we get the training and similar low bar licence for anaemic vehicles in the UK then what's the irresponsibility to be upset about.
Caporegime
It's the same issue though, get caught using it, get points on your license potentially
Soldato
Easier than an escooterGood luck balancing a Harley at 15mph
Caporegime
Easier than an escooter
Dunno, I used one one handed...
A electric assisted bike i.e with pedals is legal right?
Yes, assuming it’s 250w/15mph. The poster is mistaken.
Caporegime
Man of Honour
Easier to get a 2nd hand bike off Gumtree and then convert =
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393177920365
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124339651351?epid=15048523663&hash=item1cf3388317:g:A10AAOSwzv5g1URA
I've done quite a few conversions
Thanks for this.
Man of Honour
Stick to the Yose Power stuff because they are a doddle to put together, all colour coded.