The Law and Electric Bikes
Since every product ever made by mankind is governed by legislators and covered by insurance, several laws concerning the handling of e-bikes are essential. Even though e-bikes are more or less same, the laws, to which they are subjected, are not. We have different laws in US, UK and EU. This blog will help you understand these laws.
We will start with EU. Despite various attempts to unify the rules throughout the EU, e-bikes legislations vary from country to country within the EU. But according to EU regulations, e-bike can have maximum speed of 15 mph and a motor assistance up to 250W. Though there is no requirement to wear a helmet, you must be aged 14 or above. In UK, the picture is more or less same. According to EAPC regulations 1983, e-bike can have maximum speed of 15 mph and a motor assistance up to 200W. But the picture changes drastically when we come to the United States of America!
Though state's laws are different from federal laws, the federal laws trump all the state laws. This means that a state cannot pass legislation eliminating or reducing the federal law. So according to the federal laws, an e-bike can have maximum speed over 20mph and motor assistance up to 750W. Legally speaking, no insurance is required to drive an e-bike. And yes, they are considered zero-emission vehicles. So by using them you are doing your bit to save our precious environment!
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