Electric bikes

redface
redface Forum Participant Posts: 1,701
1000 Comments
edited August 2016 in General Chat #1

If you have a bike that is propelled by a petrol engine one has to pay tax, insure it against 3rd party liabilities, pass a test and have it MOT'd every year (except for the first 3 yrs.)

Should not the same apply to bikes that are powered by electricity?

After all they too can do a lot of damage if they hit you at top speed.

Comments

  • ChemicalJasper
    ChemicalJasper Forum Participant Posts: 437
    edited August 2016 #2

    Where do you stop though? ....push bikes? Now I can't cycle very fast but work with keen cyclists who get up to 40-50 mph downhill - bet they can do more damage than an electric bike at 10-20 mph!

    Just saying! Smile

  • ChemicalJasper
    ChemicalJasper Forum Participant Posts: 437
    edited August 2016 #3
  • ChemicalJasper
    ChemicalJasper Forum Participant Posts: 437
    edited August 2016 #4
  • tombar
    tombar Forum Participant Posts: 408
    edited August 2016 #5

    My OH was a very keen long distance cyclist in his younger days, even had his cycles hand built.  In fact he was good enough to enter the Milk Race (if you remember it back in the 50s).  Anyway, him and his mates did a race from Manchester to Blackpool (60
    miles) and were even keeping up with a coach taking daytrippers.  When they arrived, the coach driver informed OH that they were doing a total of 40mph +/-.  So yes, if they ran into anyone, or even if the coach stopped suddenly and they smashed into the back
    of him, then there would be some serious casualties

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited August 2016 #6

    You are required to have insurance in Spain for ebikes, and you must wear a helmet. We did enquire about insuring and taxing an Escooter many years ago but got nowhere with it as it didn't fall into any catagory.

    IMO all road cyclists should have third party insurance.

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2016 #7

    In Monaco push bikes have (or used to have) little number plates on the back.

    Not sure if this is to do with insurance or just so you identify the person who has just scratched your Lambo