Hello from Ireland!

[Perusercruiser]

I'm Tony, I live in Ireland and the bike I'm running is a Westhill energise, it's been great so far.
I'm here to learn and socialise and maybe pass on any knowledge about the bike and where I like to ride.

 

[Deleted member 18083]

Tony ...
Welcome to EBR Forum.

I've just done a forum search for "Westhill" - nil results. Can you post a photo and provide information.
... David

 

[Perusercruiser]

Hi David, the bike is from an English company called Westhillbikes.com, sorry I can't supply a photo just yet, need to resize my photo files, I'll get on it when I get a bit more time.
It's a class one pedelac with a 250w Bafang rear drive motor, weight is 18kg, 9 speed Shimano altus gearing, internal frame mounted battery with an 100 mile, best case scenario, range.
If you find the company's site the spec list is better explained.

 

[Dewey]

Hi Tony, welcome, nice bike. I've enjoyed reading a blog by an American living in Co. Donegal though she no longer posts frequently, but it's been nice when she mentions one of her rides like the Inishowen 100 circuit to then trace the route on Strava heatmaps. May you enjoy many happy miles on your new steed.

I'm curious, given the restrictions in the North on e-bikes, registration, moped license, road tax, insurance etc, does this nonsense also apply to riders who cross the border from the Republic just travelling through?

 

[Perusercruiser]

Hi Dewey, thanks for the welcome.
As far as I know the nonsense up north would apply if I wandered over the border and an alert policeman spotted that my steed was an Ebike, mind you the policeman would have to really know his e bikes to spot mine, most people who have seen it so far have to be told its a pedelac such is the discreet design.
I'm hoping that once my confidence builds, I'll be taking a few adventurous routes around the west of Ireland, where I live, and posting some thoughts and pictures of the routes and bike.
Tony.

 

[Dewey]

Thanks, the Police in NI in this press release don’t sound too bothered about it.

Looking forward to seeing your ride photos.

 

[Josh W]

Hi Tony! Welcome to EBR and can't wait to see those photos!

 

[Perusercruiser]

Hi Tony! Welcome to EBR and can't wait to see those photos!

Hi Josh, Thank you for your warm welcome.

 

[Perusercruiser]

Thanks, the Police in NI in this press release don’t sound too bothered about it.

Looking forward to seeing your ride photos.

I think a blind eye policy for now, till the assembly legally defines them, will be the way they deal with it.
To be honest, I'm more worried about the EU and some proposals being proposed for taxation and possible third party insurance.

 

[CodyDog]

Welcome to the forum. My son in law is from Ireland and we had the wedding there as well. Wonderful country and the most friendly people in the world. The Energise is a sweet looking bike.

 

[Dewey]

To be honest, I'm more worried about the EU and some proposals being proposed for taxation and possible third party insurance.

Someone on the UK pedelecs forum suggested just one representative on the EU Commision like the Netherlands could object and the insurance mandate couldn't be enacted, and noted the EU Parliament is liberal on e-bikes, and a lower cost alternative would be to set up an insurance compensation fund and chip bikes so they could be easily determined by an RFID reader whether they paid into the fund when sold. I suppose it depends on how determined the bureaucrats are to make additional regulation happen.