Home built and no class stickers¿

[Amish David]

Reading up on a lot of the laws that are now required in 2017 and newer buy Factory it has to state whether it's a Class 1 2 or 3. However I cannot find anything on the law stating that you have to have any information on the bicycle if you build the ebike yourself. Now as I have said many times before I ride approximately 15 miles per hour I am in no hurry to get anywhere but my bike would be considered a Class 2 because it can throttle without pedal assist. I do have emergency shut off switch at the throttle, the break will also kill the motor, and there is an emergency switch on the battery Bank as well. If I to I can crank up the wheel hub to 1,000 watts and it will run 33.2 miles per hour. And I do have a speedometer on the bicycle as well ,However as I have stated I don't get in too big of a hurry to get anywhere and I'm not young anymore either so I prefer to get there alive. Any way to shorten this long story out I wonder if there are laws where you have to obtain stickers for these bikes. I had a neighbor that made me A Class 2 sticker with 20 mile per hour and it's 750 watts the bike will only run 18 to 20 miles per hour anyway. Any thoughts? Thanks guys and girls

 

[Barry S]

When it comes to requiring some sort of sticker, I'm sure California will lead the parade.

 

[Amish David]

When it comes to requiring some sort of sticker, I'm sure California will lead the parade.

Well, I can not argue that point.

 

[Nova Haibike]

On this page it only says, "Q: How does the decal affect conversion kits? A: The sticker should match the e-bike's capability. All finished goods should display the sticker." Rather vague; it does not say if kits are required to be sold with a sticker, nor does it say anything about homemade e-bikes (not using a kit).

From People for Bikes.

 

[Dewey]

The wording in the California Vehicle Code in the definitions section 312.5(c):
“On and after January 1, 2017, manufacturers and distributors of electric bicycles shall apply a label that is permanently affixed, in a prominent location, to each electric bicycle. The label shall contain the classification number, top assisted speed, and motor wattage of the electric bicycle, and shall be printed in Arial font in at least 9-point type.”
And then in Chapter 1 section 24016:
“(d) A person shall not tamper with or modify an electric bicycle described in subdivision (a) of Section 312.5 so as to change the speed capability of the bicycle, unless he or she appropriately replaces the label indicating the classification required in subdivision (c) of Section 312.5.”

The wording appears to make either the manufacturer or distributor responsible for supplying a classification label/decal at the point of sale but makes the owner responsible for replacing the classification label if making any changes to the speed settings in either the controller or the display that place the ebike in a different Class and as long as you print it in Arial font 9-point type you’re in compliance.

Unfortunately a minority of companies stretch this label regulation, I’m thinking of Juiced who label the Cross Current S as a Class 3 ebike when it has an unlimited off road setting and their marketing emphasizes >28mph performance.

 

[Amish David]

The wording in the California Vehicle Code in the definitions section 312.5(c):
“On and after January 1, 2017, manufacturers and distributors of electric bicycles shall apply a label that is permanently affixed, in a prominent location, to each electric bicycle. The label shall contain the classification number, top assisted speed, and motor wattage of the electric bicycle, and shall be printed in Arial font in at least 9-point type.”
And then in Chapter 1 section 24016:
“(d) A person shall not tamper with or modify an electric bicycle described in subdivision (a) of Section 312.5 so as to change the speed capability of the bicycle, unless he or she appropriately replaces the label indicating the classification required in subdivision (c) of Section 312.5.”

The wording appears to make either the manufacturer or distributor responsible for supplying a classification label/decal at the point of sale but makes the owner responsible for replacing the classification label if making any changes to the speed settings in either the controller or the display that place the ebike in a different Class and as long as you print it in Arial font 9-point type you’re in compliance.

Unfortunately a minority of companies stretch this label regulation, I’m thinking of Juiced who label the Cross Current S as a Class 3 ebike when it has an unlimited off road setting and their marketing emphasizes >28mph performance.

The thing is is I'm not in California. And it was not bought from a manufacturer. So that's why I'm wondering are they going to hold people that build their own bike to the same standard. but thank you for the laws and mandates of the ebike, and no stickers. Same with the kit.

 

[Diarmuid]

Take a sharpie and write "Class 2" on your bike.

 

[Dewey]

Take a sharpie and write "Class N" on your bike.

Harsh, bikes have feelings too.

 

[Amish David]

Take a sharpie and write "Class 2" on your bike.

Not sure if that's supposed to be a joke or sarcasm. This is a serious conversation, however I had my neighbor made one just to be safe!

 

[Dewey]

I had my neighbor make one just to be safe!

Nice job, when change comes around here in the November elections Virginia will flip and a lot of bicycle safety legislation that has been held up in the general assembly, and the People for Bikes model ebike legislation, will finally have a chance of being passed. If Virginia adopt it, Maryland will follow then the District of Columbia for consistency, Uber JUMP and a new area Pedego dealer are already encouraging DC to look at revising their ebike regs. Wherever possible I am posting requests for kit motors to be covered and prior purchases to be grandfathered in, I don’t mind printing out a Class decal if it means I can finally cross rivers on bridge sidewalks legally in DC. The real legal challenge though will be persuading DC to revise its motor vehicle collision law to extend the comparative negligence standard to cover ebikes as well as bicycles, currently under the contributory negligence standard it’s too easy for drivers to get away with murder and pushing injury costs onto ebike riders, once DC provides equity for ebike and pedal cyclists alike it will make it easier to push for change in VA and MD.

 

[Amish David]

I lived in Va. Most of my life, now in Tn. I am trying to stay within the bounders of the English laws, because of using the bike. And do not need to be harassed by the cops.

 

[Barry S]

Not sure if that's supposed to be a joke or sarcasm. This is a serious conversation, however I had my neighbor made one just to be safe!

Your neighbor might have a little side business starting up with those stickers.

 

[rich c]

I lived in Va. Most of my life, now in Tn. I am trying to stay within the bounders of the English laws, because of using the bike. And do not need to be harassed by the cops.

A homemade sticker will not make you legal. That piece of packing tape holding it in place would not convince anyone that you are compliant. "On and after January 1, 2017, manufacturers and distributors of electric bicycles shall apply a label that is permanently affixed"

 

[Dewey]

a label that is permanently affixed"

That, at least in California, may be replaced by the owner if you change the speed settings to reclassify the ebike. I’d be surprised if the other states don’t incorporate similar wording when they adopt the 3-Class legislation, the bureaucrats do share best practices in venues like the national governors association and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

 

[Diarmuid]

Not sure if that's supposed to be a joke or sarcasm. This is a serious conversation, however I had my neighbor made one just to be safe!

Schrödinger comment

Sticker came out nice.

 

[Amish David]

Your neighbor might have a little side business starting up with those stickers.

haha I know, he said if you get in trouble I don't know you...

A homemade sticker will not make you legal. That piece of packing tape holding it in place would not convince anyone that you are compliant. "On and after January 1, 2017, manufacturers and distributors of electric bicycles shall apply a label that is permanently affixed"

It has a self stick backing, the tape over it is to keep it from rain. But I cut it off, every thing is so critical with the cops. I find it very difficult to adjust to this way of life, I am use to Gods law not mans. But I don't m trying.

 

[Amish David]

T

Schrödinger comment

Sticker came out nice.

Thank you.

 

[tomjasz]

Well now isn't this interesting!

 

[Dewey]

Well now isn't this interesting!

Is this for the European market?

 

[tomjasz]

Is this for the European market?

Yes, but similar decals are being used in theUSA where in states 750W is the limit. Canadians as well.
Bafang labeled BBSHD motors 750W when most want the 1000W programming. There’s one heck of a large market for DIY bikes that are more motorcycle than eBike.