Where is it accualy written in irish law that we can use legaly a electric assit bike

On the pat kenny show a few weeks back was some Pedal elec sales guy. They stated that pedal elec where you must cycle is legal no insurance tax nuber plates . The other types which can switch between pedal elec and twist and go or pure twist and go types even if they stay below 15KPH require insurance and are classed as mechanically propelled vehiciles
SEDWAY therefore require third party insurace to be used on public roads as they also brake the other rule they do 20KPH

Dont ask me what the greens are doing in with the regime if they cant even get us twist and go 15KPH electric bikes as I for one dont want to pay so much for pedal elec only . Some days I want to be lazy and let the electric do all the work

Derry

blorg wrote: »

Pedal assist bikes are designed so the motor turns "on" if you are moving the pedals at all. As you recognise this is a legal requirement. On a technical level you can be very lazy indeed, you just have to keep lightly moving your legs with next to no effort at all to keep the motor "on" and you will be motoring along at 25kph. Unless you are disabled this should not present too much difficulty.

So have you got your pedal assist yet Derry?

Santa passed me out:D

So I think i will do a short trip to spain stay a week or two and see what is in the shops there .Corte des englise normaly for those things is 50% cheaper than anything here in ROI .I might just go online and order direct as Postage from spain is way cheaper than Irish post. Sports goods on the plane is usualy about 30 euros which covers canoes bikes etc .Should be able to save ~25% to ~50% on ROI prices for the same bike .Plus i can get to spin around on my holiday.beats renting a bike what i normally do when I go to spain for a holiday

keep you posted .Good to know that info about the pedals


Derry

Well its a start the greens actually making a half useful change while being in bed with the kick back regime.

At least more old codgers like me can try to twist the bosses arm to give us a
more easy ride to work in the morning evening commute


Pity the greens don't supply us with free pedelec bikes


Derry

I saw a few weeks back electric scooter in the Dunlaighre festival from green machines Terunure

The sales guy said it was a 2kw power engine and did some 30Mph needs number plate reg insurance the lot SAME AS ORDINARY MOTOR BIKE.He figured the cost insurance would be same as the 500 petrol motor bike types

They said only pedalelecs are legal without insurance tax reg etc

http://www.electricbikes.ie/htdocs/Electric_Bike_Laws.html


This site has I think supplied supplied the defintive answer

Pedalecs are legal and throtle only types need licence insurance registeration tax the lot

A pedalelec with a trottle system option with visible throttle is therefore a not a pedelec anymore

Here is the info that www.electricbikes.ie got from the department of transport

www.electricbikes.ie wrote:

Below is the a direct copy of the correspondence we have had with the Vehicle Standards Division of the Department of Transport. We asked, what exactly were the laws regarding electric bikes and their legality? This was the response we received; I have highlighted the part most applicable to us.

---

Original Message

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From: "Vehicle Standards Division" < VehicleStandardsDivision@transport.ie >
To: < gerryb@electricbikes.ie >
Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2006 4:51 PM
Subject: Electrically assisted pedal cycles


Dear Gerry,

I refer to your telephone query on electrically assisted pedal cycles.

The Road Traffic Act, 1961 defines a mechanically propelled vehicle (mpv)
as:-

"a vehicle intended or adapted for propulsion by mechanical means, including-
( a ) a bicycle or tricycle with an attachment for propelling it by mechanical power, whether or not the attachment is being used,
( b ) a vehicle the means of propulsion of which is electrical or partly electrical and partly mechanical, but not including a tramcar or other vehicle running on permanent rails;"

All mpvs must comply with Road Traffic law relating to the construction, equipment and use of vehicles i.e. they must meet all requirements covering such items as brakes, lights, dimensions, weight, springs, wheels, tyres, steering, gears, mudguards, view of the road, mirrors, safety glass, windscreen wipers, mirrors, speedometers, horn, silencer, exhausts emissions, condition and maintenance etc. In addition, a mechanically propelled vehicle may not be used in any public place unless there is in
place third party insurance cover against its negligent use. A mechanically propelled vehicle is also required to be registered, is subject to motor tax and its driver will require a driving licence.

Electrically assisted cycles, known as "pedelecs", which have electric motors which only assist the pedalling effort and which do not act as a means of propulsion in their own right, are not considered to be mechanically propelled vehicles.

I am obliged to point out that enforcement of the Regulations is a matter for An Garda Síochána while interpretation of them is a matter for the Courts.

I hope this information is helpful.

Yours sincerely,

Johanna XXXXXX
Vehicle Standards Division

I am looking a clip on electric pedelec solution from MiBike Malahide
http://www.mibike.ie/costs 600 for 24volt or 750 for 36v if you fit it yourself and a whole lot more if you tke a bike with the package.However the bikes seem to be good qualty for what you get if your looking for a walk in drive away versions

Then I can add the kit on to my trusty cheapo china crap mountian bike I bought while on holiday in Spain cost 120 euros in Carrefour with carrier and side panel bags . The Ebike in Spain were a lot cheaper than Ireland but funds were low from other stuff like going on holidays to Spain for two months isnt cheap even with camping so the ebike went on the back burner. Anyway I needed the exersice cyling around spain in the heat to get the spare tyre belly down.
I did lose a few KG but since then I gained it all back so have to go do another 500 kilometer plus cycle to get rid of the flab .
Now I got the bike and since then I got a tools carry type trailer for 130 euro from a bike shop in Harlods cross and a cheap 40 euro bike rack for the back of the car from Halfords ( didnt take the extra bit the light panel for 30 euros and just stick the bike higher so as not to cover the cars tail lights ) .
So now all I need is the clip on electric solutions as once I attach the trailer full for equpment I will need the extra power to go uphill.

Then me and bike trialer as sport equipment but no bike and the pedal elec kit go to spain buy airplane for another few months if the credit card can take the pain and where I will get another bike in spain and fit the clip on pedal elec gear to that bike and leave the older bike back in Ireland .


Here is info from british site
http://www.ultramotor.com/uk/electric_bikes_legislation
where they figure the same rules are needed in most of the EU but in the UK the need to be a pedelec isnt required in the UK

Derry