rsa supporting e-scooters

Its farcical that we havent seen any updates to legislation since 2008. Get the goddamn finger out.

I noticed that Norway have decided to permit e-scooters to be used on footpaths.

I fear that we have left it for so long now and with e-scooter use on footpaths considered normal by many that this is what we are stuck with regardless of the laws that will eventually come.

They can only work on legislative programme agreed for a Dail session and we've had a year or two of other distractions. You would expect to see some movement in the next or more likely the post-Christmas Dail session. There's quite a bit to address especially around safety regulation if their usage explodes.

Looks like e-bikes & e-scooters capable of speeds up to 25kph are approved for use on roads in Ireland. They are to be treated like cyclists, so obviously no motorway riding.

Obviously the correct & predictable decision.

I'm sorry, I just heard it on the radio on Newstalk, I didn't really listen until I realised a decision had been made. Keep an eye on the news and e-bike/e-scooter sellers feeds.

To be honest. I'd be dusting it off anyway, particularly if it means not burning fuel.

Kinda, but I would think the classification "PPT" will include more than scooters. It at least should be anything that isn't pedal assist (so the fido type "bikes")

The guy from zip (I think) that was being interviewed implied that helmets and high vis were legal requirement for bicycles by making a direct comparision to seatbelts. That Times article isn't great either, saying ebikes capable of more than 25kph will not be permitted in pesdestrian zones and cycle paths - so does that mean those under 25 kph are allowed in pedestrian zones. We really do have some crap levels of research by journalists.

I dont think you needed to be that careful with the amount of them on the roads these days, havent heard of any seizures in years now. The bike shed at work is overflowing with them.

You can do what you like tbh, they'll never check unless you're completely taking the p1ss.

Is there power limits for these ebikes. I know they have to be limited to 25klm/h on peddle assist but is there any limit on the motor power. I ask this as I know a 250watt motor is not powerful enough for steep hills or for over-weight riders. If there is a limit as such then I think it is totally unfair

There are two classes of ebike under EU regs. 250w which is a basic road legal ebike, and the speed pedelecs which are capable of speeds over 25kph.(need insurance tax etc)

Now there is a catch, what is a 250w motor? many manufacturers fit what is nominally a 250w motor but in reality is far more and they quote torque figures now which is a better indicator of ability than simple wattage.

Another factor is the type of drive, there are three main methods, rear hub motor, front hub motor and mid drive, the mid drive actually works through the bottom bracket and as such can be used with the gears and this allows better performance on hills and for fat people.

I rented a Peugeot Balad ebike in France this year and it was a pretty basic 250w road legal rear hub motor, it was able to haul me round quite easily and I am north of 100kg so depending on the actual manufacturer they are more than enough for most usage imho.

The watts V Torque as a measurement is interesting. So is it possible for two motors of the same watts can output totally different torque outputs?