Electric Bicycles

Find out about electric bicycles. Great for commuters.

Electric Bikes and Electric Power Assisted Bikes offer many advantages to commuters providing low cost transportation around town. As long as the electric bike is not too powerful, it is classed as a bicycle under UK law and so no MOT, insuarance, or tax is payable each year. Electric bikes carry rechargeable batteries which can be charged with mains electricity or from renewable sources such as solar (1) and/or wind power (2), and so they are very cheap to run (1kWh per 50 miles of travel). Electric bikes cope well with hills and carrying a lot of luggage.

There are two main types of electric bicycle: those with a separate throttle on the handlebars (usually called E-bikes), and those with pedal sensors (pedelecs) to match electric power to the effort you are putting in.

Pictured above is a mountain bike style electric bike incorporating an independent twist grip throttle. Total weight is 38kg including the 36 volt 8Ah lead acid battery. The battery will last around 15 miles with normal pedalling on a flat surface, and it can be recharged in 5 to 6 hours up to 350 times. Max speed is 15mph under power or assisted power - cycling with the power off any speed is possible.

Much lighter bikes are also available starting at around 20kg for a 16" wheel model with NiMH battery, or even less for a more expensive lithium ion battery and folding aluminium frame.

Electrically assisted bikes are classed in the UK as bicycles as long as they weigh less than 40kg, are not rated over 250 Watts, powered speed is 16mph or lower, the bike has working pedals, and riders are over 14 years old. It is not necessary to wear a motorbike helmet when riding an electric bicycle. If the bike is too heavy, too powerful, or too fast then it is classed as moped and must be taxed and insured etc.

Web Link References

(1) http://www.reuk.co.uk/solar.htm
(2) http://www.reuk.co.uk/wind.htm