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The Biketec Flyer F-series Pedelec

Pedelec/E-bike; innovative two-wheelers

Pedal Electric Cycle | UK-English
Electric-Assist Cycles | UK-English
E-bike | UK-English
Elektrofahrrad | Deutsch
E-Rad | Deutsch
Elektrovelo | Deutsch
Elektrische fiets | Nederlands
Fiets met trapondersteuning | Nederlands
Vélos Électrique | Français
Elektrobicikl | Hrvatski

A pedelec is a bicycle assisted by an electric motor, powered by a rechargeable battery. Pedelecs can be good for hills, headwind and long distances, for hurrying to work without arriving hot and sweaty, and for carrying one or more passengers, for instance your kids. The motor is intended to assist pedalling, not to replace it. A bike with a motor that does replace pedalling is called E-bike or electric bicycle. So yes, experts do make a distiction between pedelecs and E-bikes. But those who test, sell and use pedelecs or E-bike don't. Not seldom you will find that the term E-bike refers to a pedelec. So let's no be too strict with words here. It is about what pedelcs or E-bike do that matters. They provide clean, affordable and efficient mobility in urban and rural areas for all.

A transportation phenomenon is sweeping the world's largest population of bike users. They're going electric. Check out this video from Shijiazhuang, China to learn more about electric bikes, and why this is happening.

Pedelec

Pedelecs are in the EU officialy treated as bicycles. EU-Directive 2002/24/EC speaks about: "cylces with pedal assistance which are equipped with an auxiliary electric motor having 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, if the cyclist stops pedaling".
Pedelecs which exceed these technical specifications must have a type approval and are classified as 'mopeds', and must consequently abide by all additional laws, for instance motorcycle helmet, adequate brakes, mirrors etc. To avoid such additional requirements most pedelecs sold in the EU are limited to 25km/h and 0.25 kW.

Assistance

An experienced cyclist does not need assistance under normal conditions to reach a speed of 20-25 km/h. When facing headwind, moving uphill or carrying an extra passenger assistance will make a big difference. It ensures the rider can maintain its regular cruising speed.
At present pedelecs have a power-assisted range of about 20 to 50 km (12,5 to 30 mi). Many models feature removable batteries that can be easily recharged during the working day - assuming your workplace can provide a spare power socket.

Advantages

The Croydon cycling campaign gives five reasons why they like pedelecs:

Social need

There are many people who may want and need a bit of electric assistance, whether through inclination, age or physical frailty, or a need to ride quickly to work without needing to shower and change.

Environmentally responsible

Pedelecs consume a tiny amount of energy compared to mopeds, motorcycles or cars; and the only consumables over-and-above a standard cycle are the batteries, which can normally be recycled when they have expired. Typical power consumption is 0.10 to 0.15 kW, compared with about 15.0 kW for a car.

Socially responsible

Pedelecs, like pedal-only cycles, are relatively light and slow-moving vehicles that (unlike cars, motorcycles and lorries) pose little danger to pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. Under EU law, electric cycles cannot provide power over 25 km/h (or 16 mi/h).

Effective

Pedelecs tend to get used often, rather than left gathering cobwebs in the garage like many standard bicycles. Combined with a cycle trailer, they can easily help tow the weekly shop for a large family.

True cycles

Pedelecs are true pedal cycles under the law, with all the everyday ease-of-use advantages this implies:

• right to ride, i.e. no tests, licensing, taxes or other hassles
• no need for helmets or special clothing
• train operators carry bicycles, enabling effective mixed mode travel
• right to use cycle and bus lanes (like Mobilien)

Japanese E-bike or electric bicycle

The Swiss allow pedelec to go faster

There will always be people wanting to go faster than 25 km/h or people that require more power than 0.25 kW. Switzerland is not part of the EU. Pedelecs are there not limited by a maximum speed or a maximum output. In a mountaneous country cyclists need more assistance than in flat countries like Denmark or the Netherlands. But not all of Europe is as flat as these traditional cycle countries. EU regulations nevertheless do not allow Swiss manufacturers ship their high speed pedelecs to the EU.

Pedelecs merging into E-bikes

A way was found to legalize high speed pedelecs in the European Union without them having to abide by all moped regulations. All what is necessary is a little modification. By means of a button at the handlebar a pedelec can be used as a moped to a maximum speed of 15 km/h without pedaling. These hybrid pedelecs can be regarded as 'low-performance mopeds', two-wheelers with a maximum design speed not exceeding 25 km/h and working pedals (92/61/EWG and 2002/24/EC). Low-Performance Mopeds can for instance apply bicycle lamps instead of much bigger moped lamps. As a result consumers will see from 2007 on high speed pedelecs in the EU as well. Effectively EU regulations make pedelecs merge into E-bikes: light electric vehicles that move without pedaling.

Price tag

Pedelecs or E-bikes aren't cheap. Prices of good or very good bikes range between € 1000 and € 3000. But they seem well worth the money. According to the 2006 pedelec test conducted by ExtraEnergy.org the Giant Twist, Gazelle Easy Glider and the Biketec Flyer are among the best models currently around. The Koga Tesla won the EUROBIKE AWARD 2006 in the category 'utility bikes'.