Electric Bike News
The electric bike is an increasingly popular means of transport and is used more and more by users. To regulate these cyclists, many laws have been put in place. To be able to ride without risking breaking the law, it is therefore essential to keep up to date with news about electric bikes. To do this, Weebot offers you many articles to stay informed about everything concerning your electric bike.
What does the law say?
According to the law, bikes with a power not exceeding 250W and a speed of 25 km/h can operate with electric assistance. If the cyclist wishes to go faster, they will not be able to pedal with electric assistance.
Furthermore, electric bikes designed to be fast and reaching a top speed of 45 km/h are allowed to travel at this speed. This type of bike is similar to a moped and must therefore have insurance and hold a driving license A, B, or AM to be used. Indeed, you must comply with the traffic code adapted to this type of vehicle. The law of July 1, 2004, requires that the bike must be registered.
If a bike lane is available nearby, the cyclist is obliged to use it. Otherwise, they must use another suitable lane for their two-wheeler. Regarding users of fast electric bikes, they cannot use bike lanes. They must follow moped signage and use the roadway.
Safety rules when riding an electric bike
When riding an electric bike, it is important to follow several safety rules. These rules protect you as well as pedestrians and other cyclists. Here is a list of some rules to follow when riding an electric bike:
- It is forbidden to wear headphones or check your phone on the road, to stay focused on the road and surroundings. Failure to comply with this legislation exposes you to a fixed fine of 135 euros.
- As with driving a car, it is advised not to ride your electric bike under the influence of alcohol.
- Helmets are mandatory for children under 12 and strongly recommended for adults.
- Always use available bike lanes and paths for your electric bike. If none are available, ride on the right side of the road.
- It is forbidden to ride on sidewalks to avoid posing a danger to other users.
- If riding in a group, make sure to ride in single file at a speed respecting speed limits.
The protections you are entitled to as an electric bike rider
Unlike car insurance, bike insurance is not mandatory but recommended. It is not uncommon for an electric bike to be stolen or for you to have an accident. For this reason, it is important to subscribe to insurance for your electric bike. It covers theft as well as potential damage during an accident.
Depending on the insurance you choose, the annual cost could vary between 4.5% and 7% of the purchase price of the electric bike. Thus, for bikes costing more than €1000, bike insurance is a very good idea. Additionally, some insurances partially reimburse the cost of your electric bike.
The different types of electric bikes
Among all the electric bikes available on the market, there are different models for specific audiences. Here is a selection of the different types of electric bikes available on the market:
- The city electric bike, perfectly suited for urban trips.
- The electric hybrid bike (VTC), generally used for short trips.
- The electric cargo bike to support and transport heavier loads or additional people.
- The electric speed bike, perfect for speed enthusiasts, allowing you to cover much longer distances in a few minutes.
- The folding electric bike for easily carrying your two-wheeler on public transport or climbing the stairs of your building without hassle.
- If you want to engage in intense or professional sports activity, we invite you to consider a VTTAE model.
Our articles on this subject
As a cyclist, you absolutely need to know the legislation your electric bike is subject to. For this, you must make sure to gather as much information as possible about the type of bike you have as well as the regulations in force. If you want to learn more about electric bike news, feel free to consult our various articles on the subject:
