Humans want their ebike!
- Thread starter Hectors Ghost
- Start date
Hectors Ghost
Active Member
And that's why the CPSA definition of ebike is so important.
" Public Law 107-319, 116 Stat. 2776 (the Act), enacted December 4, 2002, subjects low-speed electric bicycles (LSEB) to the Commission's existing regulations at 16 CFR part 1512 and 16 CFR 1500.18(a)(12) for bicycles that are solely human-powered. For purposes of this requirement, the Act defines a low-speed electric bicycle as “a two-or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 mph.” Public Law No. 107-319, section 1, 116 Stat. 2776 (2002). The Commission is issuing this immediately effective amendment to its requirements for bicycles at 16 CFR part 1512 to promptly inform the public of the newly enacted statutory requirement on low-speed electric bicycles. "
Comply with the above requirements and you can ride anywhere in America that bicycles are allowed... pretty much anywhere. No license, no tags, no taxes, and all the rights afforded bicyclists and most all afforded to drivers.
Art Deco
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Selinsgrove Pennsylvania
IIRC, if the motor is under 500w nominal you can also include Canada in your travels, so all of N. America and maybe S. America. That's a lot of travel. Ride safe.
Hectors Ghost
Active Member
I can't do what I do with only 500W... hell, I'm using 1000W now (1.34 h.p.) and it's still a chore at times. Where they made a mistake with the LSEB definition is including the h.p. of the motor. Setting a speed limit is the only way to achieve the desired safety limits necessary for an LSEB to share pedestrian paths. You put a 500W mid-drive on a road bike with the right gearing and an avid rider can easily cook around at 40+ m.p.h. On the other end of the spectrum is an ebike like mine that is designed to carry a large load at slow speed. Not that she "can't run" when she is stripped down, but I need 750W minimum to ride fully loaded and not suffer a stroke and massive heart attack on assents, but I only accede 20 mph on descents... usually. A cargo hauler rarely, if ever, is going to accede 20 mph but should be allowed a couple of h.p. if necessary to move something heavy. But... the definition has been set for close to 20 years now and benefits those that comply with it. The ebike classifications system used by California and other states now uses the CPSA definition as it's Class-1 ebike which helps to protect it for riders that want to do more than go fast for a short distance.
Hectors Ghost
Active Member
Yes... even more silly when you understand that h.p. doesn't determine speed as much as gearing.
Hectors Ghost
Active Member
For me it's torque turns my Speedhub.
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