Electric Bikes In South Africa: What's The Law?

Electric bikes are becoming an increasingly popular mode of transport in South Africa, but there is some confusion about the laws governing their use. While there are no laws prohibiting the use of e-bikes on beaches, for example, certain beaches do not allow any vehicles that exceed a speed of 25km/h. There are also regulations around the use of e-bikes in sanctioned events and mountain bike events.

E-bikes are not allowed in sanctioned events

The National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (ACT No 93 of 1996) defines a "pedal cycle" as any bicycle or tricycle designed for propulsion solely by means of human power, or any bicycle or tricycle with operable pedals and an electric motor providing a maximum net power output of 250 watts. The electric motor may not be capable of propelling the bicycle or tricycle unassisted at a speed exceeding 25km/h on a level surface.

While there are no laws that prohibit the use of e-bikes on beaches in South Africa, certain beaches are strict about any vehicles that may exceed the speed of 25km/h.

E-bikes are not allowed in mountain bike events

In South Africa, there are no laws prohibiting the use of e-bikes on beaches, although some beaches are strict about any vehicles that exceed a speed of 25km/h. However, e-bikes are not allowed in mountain bike events. Cycling South Africa Mountain Bike Regulations for 2018 (published in 2017) expressly excluded e-bikes from the regulations. The use of electronically assisted bicycles (e-bikes) is not permitted in any form of mountain bike events when run on the same course at the same time. Cycling SA and UCI regulations also state that the use of e-bikes by participants is not allowed in sanctioned events.

E-bikes are allowed on some beaches

The National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (ACT No 93 of 1996) Draft bill Amendment to the act - paragraph (p) by the substitution of "pedal cycle" of the following definition: "pedal cycle" means any bicycle or tricycle designed for propulsion solely by means of human power, or any bicycle or tricycle with operable pedals and an electric motor providing a maximum net power output of 250 watts. The electric motor may not be capable of propelling the bicycle or tricycle unassisted at a speed exceeding 25km/h on a level surface.

SANS 311, published in 2007, states that cycles equipped with an auxiliary electric motor that have a maximum continuous rated power of 0.25 kW, of which the output is progressively reduced and finally cut off as the vehicle reaches a speed of 25 km/h, or sooner, do not fall into any vehicle category.

Currently, under UCI and Cycling SA regulations, the use of E-bikes by participants is not allowed in sanctioned events. Cycling South Africa Mountain Bike Regulations for 2018 (published in 2017) have expressly excluded E-Bikes from the regulations.

E-bikes are allowed if they have a maximum net power output of 250 watts

In South Africa, there are no laws prohibiting the use of e-bikes on beaches, although some beaches are strict about vehicles that exceed a speed of 25km/h.

However, the use of e-bikes is not permitted in any mountain bike events run on the same course at the same time as other bikes. Cycling South Africa Mountain Bike Regulations for 2018 expressly excluded e-bikes from their regulations. Cycling SA and UCI regulations also do not allow the use of e-bikes by participants in sanctioned events.

E-bikes are allowed if they have a maximum speed of 25km/h

E-bikes are allowed in South Africa if they have a maximum speed of 25km/h. This is because, according to the 2015 Department of Transport National Road Traffic Act, an e-bike is defined as a "pedal cycle" with an electric motor providing a maximum net power output of 250 watts. The electric motor may not be capable of propelling the bike unassisted at a speed exceeding 25km/h on a level surface.

While e-bikes are allowed in South Africa, there are some restrictions on their use. For example, they are not permitted in any mountain bike events run on the same course at the same time as traditional mountain bikes. They are also not allowed in events sanctioned by Cycling South Africa.

Some beaches in South Africa may also have restrictions on e-bikes, as certain beaches do not allow any vehicles that may exceed a speed of 25km/h.

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