SA may be getting new rules on what qualifies as a bicycle – with big implications for e-bikes

[Bateleur1]

I'm not sure you can directly implant EU law into SA. Mostly the 25kph limit is around keeping all cycle traffic equal on the bikes paths. There are a few modded speed pedelecs here that smash 45kph on the bike paths and they are a hazard.

 

That is why in Germany they are actually not allowed on the bike paths

[Bateleur1]

Ebikes are a fantastic solution to polution and traffic congestion etc.

Dont know why gvt would be hung up on the 25kmh speed thing as a benchmark, can get 70 and above on a normal bicycle.

Ebike came past me the other day at about 50 I reckon (was on my roadbike prob @ 20kmh), couldn't help thinking what an amazingly brilliant transport solution they are.

Gvt should be encouraging more use of these bikes by keeping the regs to an absolute minimum.

 

I agree that they are a good solution in general but if there is one negative about e-bikes, is that it allows people to cycle faster to what their physical capability is to handle a bike in some cases.  We have many old people crashing pretty badly on their e-bikes here.  I am not saying we should stop the e-bike thing.  But people should just be aware of it.

[Eldron]

That is why in Germany they are actually not allowed on the bike paths

Same here in Denmark.

[Eldron]

I agree that they are a good solution in general but if there is one negative about e-bikes, is that it allows people to cycle faster to what their physical capability is to handle a bike in some cases. We have many old people crashing pretty badly on their e-bikes here. I am not saying we should stop the e-bike thing. But people should just be aware of it.

Exactly this. There have been many, many accidents on Stromer ebikes in Copenhagen. It is an upmarket brand favoured by the senior exec type who (in general) doesn't have a lot of skill. That and I feel some of the lower end ebikes lack some braking power. A 90kg man on a 30kg bike needs good stoppers at 45kph!