
Electric bikes are subject to various speed limits around the world. In the EU and Australia, the speed limit is 25 km/h (15.5 mph), while in the UK, the fastest electric bikes will go at 28 mph. In British Columbia, electric bikes are identified as motor-assisted cycles and are limited to a speed of 32 km/h (20 mph). Some electric bikes may go faster than the speed limit, but they are illegal and not safe for road use.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Speed limits | 15.5 mph (25 km/h) in the EU and Australia |
20 mph (32 km/h) in British Columbia | |
28 mph in the UK | |
30 mph and above in some countries | |
Speed restrictions | The engine must disengage when the rider stops pedalling, an accelerator controller is released, or a brake is applied |
Riders must be at least 16 years old | |
Riders must wear a helmet |
What You'll Learn
- Electric bikes are subject to various speed limits around the world
- The speed limit in the EU and Australia is 25 km/h (15.5 mph)
- In the UK, the speed limit is 28 mph
- In British Columbia, electric bikes are classed as motor-assisted cycles and are limited to 32 km/h (20 mph)
- Electric bikes that go faster than 28 mph are illegal in the UK
Electric bikes are subject to various speed limits around the world
While some electric bikes may go faster than the speed limits in these countries, they are illegal and not safe for road use. It is also dangerous and illegal to use kits to boost speeds without registration.
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The speed limit in the EU and Australia is 25 km/h (15.5 mph)
Electric bikes are subject to various speed limits around the world. The speed limit in the EU and Australia is 25 km/h (15.5 mph). This speed limit is particularly frustrating to riders who are in search of just a bit more speed in their bikes. When an e-bike reaches this pre-programmed top speed, the motor power cuts out and riders can only reach higher speeds under their own leg power or with the help of gravity.
In British Columbia, an e-bike is identified as a "motor-assisted cycle" (MAC), which differs from electric mopeds and scooters, which are "limited-speed motorcycles". Motor-assisted cycles must have an electric motor of no more than 500 W, have fully operable pedals, and not be capable of propelling the device at a speed greater than 32 km/h (20 mph). The engine must disengage when the operator stops pedalling, when an accelerator controller is released, or when a brake is applied.
In Ontario, e-bikes are allowed to share the road with cars, pedestrians and other traffic throughout the province. The new rules limit the maximum weight of an e-bike to 120 kilograms, require a maximum braking distance of nine metres and prohibit any modifications to the bike's motor that would create speeds greater than 32 kilometres per hour. Riders must be at least 16 years of age, wear approved bicycle or motorcycle helmets and follow the same traffic laws as bicyclists.
In the UK, the fastest legal electric bikes will go at 28mph. While some e-bikes may go faster than this, they are illegal and not safe for road use.
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In the UK, the speed limit is 28 mph
Electric bikes are subject to speed limits, which vary depending on the country. In the UK, the speed limit is 28 mph. This is because electric bikes are classed as "motor-assisted cycles", which are subject to different regulations from electric mopeds and scooters, which are classed as "limited-speed motorcycles".
In the UK, motor-assisted cycles must have an electric motor of no more than 500 W, have fully operable pedals, and not be capable of propelling the device at a speed greater than 20 mph. The engine must disengage when the operator stops pedalling, when an accelerator controller is released, or when a brake is applied.
Some electric bikes may go faster than 28 mph, but these are illegal and not safe for road use. It is also illegal and dangerous to use kits to boost the speed of an electric bike without registration.
In other countries, such as the EU and Australia, the speed limit for electric bikes is 15.5 mph.
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In British Columbia, electric bikes are classed as motor-assisted cycles and are limited to 32 km/h (20 mph)
Electric bikes are subject to various speed limits around the world. In the EU and Australia, for example, the speed limit is 25 km/h (15.5 mph). In British Columbia, electric bikes are classed as motor-assisted cycles and are limited to 32 km/h (20 mph). This differs from electric mopeds and scooters, which are classed as limited-speed motorcycles. In the UK, the fastest electric bikes will go at 28 mph. While some e-bikes may go faster than this, they are illegal and not safe for road use.
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Electric bikes that go faster than 28 mph are illegal in the UK
Electric bikes are subject to various speed limits around the world. In the UK, electric bikes are limited to 28 mph. While some electric bikes may go faster than this, they are illegal and not safe for road use.
In the EU and Australia, electric bikes are limited to 15.5 mph. Riders who want to go faster than this may find this frustrating, but it is important to follow the speed limit for safety reasons.
In British Columbia, electric bikes are identified as "motor-assisted cycles" and must not be capable of propelling the rider at a speed greater than 20 mph.
In Ontario, electric bikes are allowed to share the road with cars, pedestrians and other traffic, and are limited to a maximum speed of 20 mph.
It is important to note that using kits to boost the speed of an electric bike without registration is both dangerous and illegal.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, electric bikes are subject to speed limits.
The speed limit depends on where you are. In the EU and Australia, the speed limit is 25km/h (15.5 mph). In the UK, the speed limit is 28 mph. In British Columbia, the speed limit is 32 km/h (20 mph). In Ontario, the speed limit is 32 km/h.
Once an electric bike reaches its pre-programmed top speed, the motor power cuts out and riders can only reach higher speeds under their own leg power or with the help of gravity.
Yes, there are kits available to boost the speed of electric bikes. However, using these kits without registration is both dangerous and illegal.
In Ontario, electric bikes must have a maximum weight of 120 kg and a maximum braking distance of nine metres. Riders must be at least 16 years old, wear an approved helmet and follow the same traffic laws as bicyclists. In British Columbia, riders must be 16 or over and wear a bike helmet.