Class 3 e-bikes have a motor that provides power up to 28 mph, and are not available in many parts of the world, presumably because such power is considered reckless or dangerous. My portly Domane+ with the motor hanging off the bottom of it is obviously an e-bike, but most cyclists I meet have never seen an electric road bike. The newer bikes are getting even less obvious as they motors and batteries become smaller. Apart from the hassles of acquiring a class 3 bike, this ignorant American would like to know what are the disincentives. Who would notice? Do bikes have to be registered, and who and where would they catch you? How would they identify a class 3 from a class 1? What are the penalties? How are they enforced? Which countries are stricter than others?
Class 3 police?
- Thread starter TomWilcox
- Start date
TMH
Well-Known Member
The only hassle or hurdle to purchasing a Class 3 speed pedelec in the U.S. is pulling out your credit card.
I live in California, one of the more restrictive states, and there is no requirement for registration, insurance or a license (or license plate). It is treated as a bicycle.
There are rules and laws about where you can or cannot ride a Class 3 bike. For example they cannot be ridden on most off road trails. But they are legal to ride in any bike lane on the side of the road, or on the street (other than freeway). At least they are in my area.
Who and where would they catch you? Well, the who would be the police, and the WHY would be if you were riding like an idiot. But I don't really think there is a Class 3 distinction there: You would wind up getting a ticket on a Class 1 bike if you were riding like an idiot! So the key is to ride smart and safe, maintain the appropriate speed for the road you are on, and all will be good regardless of your e-bike classification.
Most (all?) e-bikes come with a sticker on the frame showing their classification.
I believe that in many European countries there is the requirement for a license/license plate, insurance and a certain level of protective gear while riding Class 3 bikes.
I live in California, one of the more restrictive states, and there is no requirement for registration, insurance or a license (or license plate). It is treated as a bicycle.
There are rules and laws about where you can or cannot ride a Class 3 bike. For example they cannot be ridden on most off road trails. But they are legal to ride in any bike lane on the side of the road, or on the street (other than freeway). At least they are in my area.
Who and where would they catch you? Well, the who would be the police, and the WHY would be if you were riding like an idiot. But I don't really think there is a Class 3 distinction there: You would wind up getting a ticket on a Class 1 bike if you were riding like an idiot! So the key is to ride smart and safe, maintain the appropriate speed for the road you are on, and all will be good regardless of your e-bike classification.
Most (all?) e-bikes come with a sticker on the frame showing their classification.
I believe that in many European countries there is the requirement for a license/license plate, insurance and a certain level of protective gear while riding Class 3 bikes.
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Rob NJ
Active Member
Totally agree with TMH. I have had Trek class 3 bike for the past three years. There is no distinction out in the field for class 3. We went on a bike tour with one of the major bike companies, and actually asked if we could use our bikes rather than theirs. They told us that we might have to take out the batteries for rides in certain areas (many say prohibited in national parks). We had Trek SuperCommuter 8+ bikes and they said sure! On the ride, half of the bikes were e-bikes (all class 1). We never took out the batteries on the ride, and the tour guides said - the park police have better things to do than check what type of bike you have.
Buy a class three. Don't be a jerk. Ride at walking speed around pedestrians. Have a ball. Treat others with respect.
Buy a class three. Don't be a jerk. Ride at walking speed around pedestrians. Have a ball. Treat others with respect.
TomD
Well-Known Member
It's unlikely but if you injure someone where class 3 is not allowed you could have some liability. I'd think more risk if your bike is stamped class 3. Purely theoretical - I don't know anyone who has injured anyone with a class 3 or illegal ebike riding where they should not be.
Rob NJ
Active Member
Yes Tom, you are likely right. Mine had a small sticker on the frame that is now missing...
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
...and specific components: all-day lights, a horn... Mine even has the STOP rear-light and it is ready for the blinkers (not required, though).
P.S. All European countries except of Norway and Switzerland but including now-the-Brexit UK treat the S-Pedelec as a moped with all the consequences such as the registration plate, insurance, MOT, extra safety accessories, wearing the helmet and using only roads but neither the dedicated bike lanes nor Multi Purpose Paths. Class 3 is not allowed in Canada, Australia, New Zealand.
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Readytoride
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Virginia
1. What hassle? Where have you found a hassle? I have never seen any kind of hassle buying a Class 3, unless you are using the phrase to underscore your self imposed title of ignorant. You're not ignorant, by the way, just unaware.
2. Very few people notice the more recent ebikes with batteries incorporated in the downtube. More people recognized an ebike that has a battery that stands out. But I guarantee you that nobody, repeat nobody, has any clue what Class a bike is unless they find and read the label.
3. No, ebikes and all bikes in general do not have to be registered with any local, state, or federal agency, any more than a baseball bat, or a skateboard would need to be registered.
4. The only way to tell a Class 3 ebike is to find and read the manufacturer's label.
5. There is no enforcement for bike speeds. Where places are posted for certain speeds, it is on the honor system.
6. Europe is far stricter with ebikes than the US.
Hope this helps.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
This is just a friendly, joyous remark off topic:
Yesterday, I stopped by the river in a small Polish town to take some photos. A local wino approached me and seeing my Vado asked:
-- Is that an electric bike?
So much for stealth
Phyz
Active Member
Vino y VadoThis is just a friendly, joyous remark off topic:
Yesterday, I stopped by the river in a small Polish town to take some photos. A local wino approached me and seeing my Vado asked:
-- Is that an electric bike?
So much for stealth
theemartymac
Well-Known Member
I too would also suggest the liability is the biggest risk. Also consider that if you are involved in a collision with a car or other insured vehicle, your own automobile insurance may come into play depending on your state laws. In which case, being in violation of a local or state law could possibly void your insurance coverage, and leave you owing the value of the repairs to the other person. Maybe medical too? All worth looking into if it concerns you.
mogulskier
Active Member
If your involved in a collision, just as with a motorcycle, it is you who will suffer the most severe injuries and a totaled bike. Whatever the liability laws are, it is not the other person that will bear the brunt of it.
What scenario with a car v ebike collision could possibly result in a totaled car and injured driver? It will be you, not them.
What scenario with a car v ebike collision could possibly result in a totaled car and injured driver? It will be you, not them.
pmcdonald
Well-Known Member
There's lot of variables at play: which state or country you're in, where you were riding, how you were riding, the behaviour of both parties, how much cash the plaintiff and defendant have, what mood the judge was in that day, etc, etc.
Sadly there's extreme cases of highly irresponsible and illegal restricted Ebike use that resulted in death:
Fake e-bike unmasked in pedestrian death | Bicycle Network
The so-called e-bike involved in a fatal collision with a pedestrian should have been labelled a motorbike, exposing a dangerous loop hole that needs tightening.
www.bicyclenetwork.com.au
Electric bike rider jailed over collision
The impact buckled the front wheel of the child's bike, and Green's dirt-bike helmet collided with the head...
In both cases the Ebike riders had no place riding on public footpaths, but as we know its the actions of the few with tar the many.
These are extreme examples but consider this hypothetical scenario. You're riding along a shared path, about to pass a pedestrian from behind. Now obviously common sense dictates you should slow right down and signal you're about to pass, but let's say you had your head in a work problem or family issue and had a momentary lapse. Suddenly they step into your path. You hit them, they fall and crack their skull on the pavement, resulting in death.
In this roleplay the prosecution may take very different lines of attack depending on whether you were riding (here in Australia) a legal 25km/h restricted bike or a derestricted bike. Hell, you may be acquitted in both cases but I know which I'd personally rather have been riding if I had the misfortune to end up in court. If you're found liable here in NSW you face potential financial ruin and/or time in jail.
It's another extreme and unlikely scenario but it's not beyond the realms of possibility. I pass dozens of absent minded pedestrians on my daily commute, most oblivious to the outside world thanks to whatever they're immersed in listening to. I've seen people's lives ruined from a split second rash decision (plus there's a lot of lawyers in my life) so my risk aversion means I'd never consider derestricting an ebike, but it's totally a personal decision for each individual to make.
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reed scott
Well-Known Member
The only police in all of Texas that would even 'think' of checking or hassling a well mannered ebike rider would be in Austin. 
mogulskier
Active Member
There's lot of variables at play: which state or country you're in, where you were riding, how you were riding, the behaviour of both parties, how much cash the plaintiff and defendant have, what mood the judge was in that day, etc, etc.
Sadly there's extreme cases of highly irresponsible and illegal restricted Ebike use that resulted in death:
Fake e-bike unmasked in pedestrian death | Bicycle Network
The so-called e-bike involved in a fatal collision with a pedestrian should have been labelled a motorbike, exposing a dangerous loop hole that needs tightening.
Electric bike rider jailed over collision
The impact buckled the front wheel of the child's bike, and Green's dirt-bike helmet collided with the head...www.canberratimes.com.au
In both cases the Ebike riders had no place riding on public footpaths, but as we know its the actions of the few with tar the many.
These are extreme examples but consider this hypothetical scenario. You're riding along a shared path, about to pass a pedestrian from behind. Now obviously common sense dictates you should slow right down and signal you're about to pass, but let's say you had your head in a work problem or family issue and had a momentary lapse. Suddenly they step into your path. You hit them, they fall and crack their skull on the pavement, resulting in death.
In this roleplay the prosecution may take very different lines of attack depending on whether you were riding (here in Australia) a legal 25km/h restricted bike or a derestricted bike. Hell, you may be acquitted in both cases but I know which I'd personally rather have been riding if I had the misfortune to end up in court. If you're found liable here in NSW you face potential financial ruin and/or time in jail.
It's another extreme and unlikely scenario but it's not beyond the realms of possibility. I pass dozens of absent minded pedestrians on my daily commute, most oblivious to the outside world thanks to whatever they're immersed in listening to. I've seen people's lives ruined from a split second rash decision (plus there's a lot of lawyers in my life) so my risk aversion means I'd never consider derestricting an ebike, but it's totally a personal decision for each individual to make.
These are extreme examples as you point out. I have just never seen or heard of such an instance. Bikes tend to avoid pedestrians, but if you cannot, you slow down, like way down. I get it, unlock or otherwise derestrict your ebike does come with a liability, but these examples are on the fringes and you must be incredibly unlucky or were truly reckless to cause death or severe bodily injury.
OTOH, I've seen hikers on mountain trails that are just as irresponsible and negligent by just assuming they have priority and bikers can read their mind.
pmcdonald
Well-Known Member
Like I said, it's up to the individual to evaluate their exposure to risk.
For some its going to negligible, for others considerable.
Pedestrians and off leash dogs regularly stray in front of me, which is why I take it REAL slow past them. That's my experience and nothing more.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
As this pretty old thread has been revived, let me share some experience from my yesterday's ride with traffic in Poland.
I generally am not afraid to ride with traffic; I only don't ride city arteries with heavy and very fast traffic as no driver would understand a presence of a bike there. Yesterday, I rode for some 32 km (20 miles) over our local highway 719, which I know by heart. If any policeman stopped me (I had such occurrence in the past), I would have explained him there was no "moped ban" on the road segment; on contrary, riding a moped is forbidden on bike paths in Europe. Yet, a driver of a junk car used his horn on me for several times -- so I would get scared perhaps. As my horn was inaudible to him in the traffic noise, I flashed the high beam of my Supernova headlamp at him thrice. Hopefully, that could give him some thinking...
I generally am not afraid to ride with traffic; I only don't ride city arteries with heavy and very fast traffic as no driver would understand a presence of a bike there. Yesterday, I rode for some 32 km (20 miles) over our local highway 719, which I know by heart. If any policeman stopped me (I had such occurrence in the past), I would have explained him there was no "moped ban" on the road segment; on contrary, riding a moped is forbidden on bike paths in Europe. Yet, a driver of a junk car used his horn on me for several times -- so I would get scared perhaps. As my horn was inaudible to him in the traffic noise, I flashed the high beam of my Supernova headlamp at him thrice. Hopefully, that could give him some thinking...
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