electric bicycles???

[timwilky]

Coming out of rugby yesterday I say a guy on what appeared to be some sort of bicycle with what I take to be a battery powered motor on it.

what are the rules on this sort of thing. should if it has a motor be classed as a moped and the rider forced to wear a helmet, registration plate etc.

My old moped when I was 16 was ridable by the pedals but it was still classed as a motor vehicle, surely these things should be to. At least the motorised scooter seemed to have disappeared off the roads where I live thanks to the cops siezing everone they catch

[Abyss]

I seem to remember reading about these bikes, the motor in them is ment to kick in and help you get up hills :P

[DanDare]

http://www.powabyke.com/products/index/us/

You mean these and not the famed Fizzy ( FS1E )

[Stu]

No requirements if the motor does not assit you to exceed 10mph IIRC.
Therefore can give you a powerful boost up hills, but on the flat you do all the work if you want to exceed that.
Plus they're usually pretty heavy so you need some help to get up a hill :shock:

[ArtyLady]

confusing itsnt it? I reckon (correct me if Im wrong) a bicycle could just about break the speed limit whilst going downhill with the wind behind you if you are in a 20 limit, yet you need no licence, number plate or insurance and youre not allowed on the pavement :? .

Ive often wondered what would happen in the scenario that a bicycle accidently wobbled into a car and that car swerved and had an accident - what would happen then regarding insurance? Or is it advisable in this litigous age we live in to have bicycle insurance?

[Spiderman]

I spent many years on bikes, racers and mountain bikes going back and forth to school and college. Its the same route i commute now too so you can imagine how much i love just twisting the throttle as opposed to breaking a serious sweat.

Anyhoo, on my racer i could do over 20mph on flat roads and well over 30/35mph downhill on dual carriageway sections.

I crahsed into the back of a police car once :oops: but thankfull they werent hurt ;)

[Lissa]

Coming out of rugby yesterday I say a guy on what appeared to be some sort of bicycle with what I take to be a battery powered motor on it.

Was it an old guy with a big nose?

He's an absolute menace. Been riding that flipping thing for years, mostly on the road but he'll quite cheerfully go up on the pavement if the traffic is heavy. Nearly had me a couple of times in the past 'cos you just don't hear him :evil: