Petrol Assisted Bicycle?

scottfromirelan

Hi Guys,

Im doing a little project where im putting this onto my pushbike:

http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290439781273&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Just wondering if anyone could tell me what the legal requirements may be? Such as would i need a bike license, insurance etc?

Cheers

Adam

vectra

scottfromirelan wrote: »

Hi Guys,

Im doing a little project where im putting this onto my pushbike:

http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290439781273&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Just wondering if anyone could tell me what the legal requirements may be? Such as would i need a bike license, insurance etc?

Cheers

Adam

The bicycle would become effectively a Mechanically propelled vehicle and as such I would assume it would require licence/insurance etc.

keithclancy

Think you'd need the 'M' Category as its mechanically propelled.

Mr Benevolent

Yup, as the above posters have mentioned, if you fit an IC engine it'll be a vehicle, hence insurance, tax and M licence. Looks like an interesting project, there'll be a fair few mods to do on the bike itself!

kona

Ive a few questions.

1) Why???

2)wouldnt a moped be better?

Looks like it would great for the craic though

Although there are so many things that can be broken.

Looking at the specs max power 3HP @ 5000RPM

Then,

You get 5-6HP at 6,000RPM

keithclancy

LIGHTNING wrote: »

One of these flew past me on a cycling path then stop at the light beside me and at the next roundabout flew right across my path from my left handside (bike was in my blindspot) with no indicator or hand signal. I had to stand on the brakes to avoid taking the person out. Then proceeded to leave the roundabout again with no signals almost running into another car in the process. That person will at some stage have a big one.

That guy was just a tit.

Theres a load of petrol powered/electric bikes in Holland, I think some pedal powered contraptions could overtake those yolks

Pkiernan

It is possible to make such an assisted bicycle that can still be classed as a bicycle, but it needs to be modified so that the engine is only engaged when the operator is actually pedalling.

When you are not pedalling, then the engine should be disengaged and play no part in powering the bicycle.

This exempts it from licensing and insurance requirements, and is how current electric bicycle makers set up their bikes. Obviously it is a lot easier to have this mechanism on a battery powered setup.

zilog_jones

Wouldn't it be eligable for €43 road tax? Would it need to be registered too? I'm not seeing a relevant exemption on the motor tax website...

Just don't tell anyone? I can't see anyone every saying anything..

Anan1

Deleted User wrote: »

Just don't tell anyone? I can't see anyone every saying anything..

Please read the charter re advising posters to break the law.

vectra

LIGHTNING wrote: »

That person will at some stage have a big one.

I can only assume you mean a funeral

Joe 90

I remember years ago, end of the 50s start of the 60s?, seeing lots of bikes around Dublin with an engine which drive the front wheel via a friction roller.

opti76

it would become a mechanically propelled vehice as defined under the road trafic act..
it would need

lights. indicators. tax. insurance, reg plates, a licence to drive it ..

bmw535d

would these electric battery powered bicycles need to be taxed and insured etc aswell? seems a little much lol

Esel

bmw535d wrote: »

would these electric battery powered bicycles need to be taxed and insured etc aswell? seems a little much lol

See part of Pkiernan's post below.

Pkiernan wrote: »

.. it needs to be ..... that the engine is only engaged when the operator is actually pedalling.

When you are not pedalling, then the engine should be disengaged and play no part in powering the bicycle.

This exempts it from licensing and insurance requirements, and is how current electric bicycle makers set up their bikes. Obviously it is a lot easier to have this mechanism on a battery powered setup.

A lot of the electric bikes/scooters on the roads are not 'pedal-assist only', and are therefore illegal unless registered and insured.