Convert normal push bike to ebike, with trailer for 2 kids NSW Australia

[Tamster]

An ebike is a little out of our budget at the moment. How can I convert my existing push bike to an ebike and can my bike still have the kid trailer attached to the pole the seat pole slides into?

Was initially looking at an ebike instead of getting my licence. The push bike has been ok but would love the help and assistance of the motor up hills with the kids in tow.

The youtube videos make the conversion look so easy! Doesnt it always haha!

Are there specialised people who can source and fit the kits or can I do it myself and if I do it myself, is there a recommended place to purchase the kits?

 

[indianajo]

The Amish children use push bikes in the neighborhood of my summer property to ride home from school. A platform with a handlebar, steerable front axle, two 20" wheels with rubber tires. They push it with one foot on the ground. I suppose the elders consider chains and sprockets to be some sort of snare of the devil. I cannot imagine them electrifying one of those. They have even disconnected the house on the property they bought from the electrical utility.

 

[PDoz]

Firstly, I'd suggest you reconsider towing kids with anything that attaches up high. Look into something that attaches down near the rear axle.

Our first kids trailer attached to the rear axle, it was great and we had a couple of enjoyable years . When the kids outgrew it we had one of those tow behind half bike things, and one day the child leaned left whilst by wife leaned right - because the forces were up high on the frame, the child won and my wife injured her knee in the accident.

Second, for AUSTRALIA - keep in mind our laws if you are fitting after market electric assistance. Generally , you're going to be limited to 250 w nominal power and 25 k assistance , although anything with a throttle will have even lower limits. Most of the aftermarket stuff isn't going to be legal.

Go have a talk to a decent bike shop, keep your mind open about budget and value for money. I'd argue that if you're towing kids, there is good value in a well specced suitable ebike with a solid frame, decent brakes, and good after sales support from a decent shop. MUCH better value that fitting something that effectively makes your bike an unregistered unroadworthy motorbike towing kids ( that's at least a $1500 fine if someone gets injured , much more if you don't have a motorbike license or the person is injured enough for the accident investigation mob to get involved ) . There are a few cases going through our courts at the moment which are going to challenge emobility enforcement - mostly escooter related . The politics vary between states, and even between suburbs.

 

[EMGX]

Unless specifically not allowed by AUS regulations why not buy a 250w kit and enter 25k limit in the controller parameters? Both the KT, for hub motor, and Tongsheng TSDZ2, for torque sensing mid drive, controllers that I have allow top assist speed to be set.

 

[PDoz]

Unless specifically not allowed by AUS regulations why not buy a 250w kit and enter 25k limit in the controller parameters? Both the KT, for hub motor, and Tongsheng TSDZ2, for torque sensing mid drive, controllers that I have allow top assist speed to be set.

Throttle assisted, so it comes under scooter laws in Aus - illegal in nsw except in a few regions that are running trials ( I think - it's hard to keep up with the pen pushers)

 

[EMGX]

I didn't use a throttle on my tongsheng or hub motor bike builds. Maybe I missed something but I didn't see that the OP mentioned a throttle. Are 250w kits with controller setting limited to 25km/hr legal?

 

[PDoz]

I didn't use a throttle on my tongsheng or hub motor bike builds. Maybe I missed something but I didn't see that the OP mentioned a throttle. Are 250w kits with controller setting limited to 25km/hr legal?

It's a grey zone here - if it's possible to switch between speed / power limit / throttle ability , then some law enforcers view that as illegal. It's usually easier ( and less risky) to smile and pay the fine than challenge via the courts over here - but you don't have that choice if someone else gets significantly injured . Ie when the accident investigation team get involved, life gets challenging.