Poland also allows the 45 km/h e-bikes (L1e-B to be precise). Upsides:
1. Can ride fast
2. Commuting with traffic is typically much faster than using the complicated bike paths we have here.
Downsides:
A. Register and insure the bike, which is a painful process
B. Number plate on the bike
C. The rider has to hold a driving license (for light motorcycle or a car)
D. Wear cycling helmet (that's OK!)
E. Must not ride bike paths or lanes.
With more than one e-bike I own (two 25 km/h and one 45 km/h) I am in easy position what to ride, according to my needs.
P.S. Most of the
rare 45 km/h street-legal e-bikes available here are exceptionally expensive, as the manufacturers had to provide a lot of safety features mandated by the law and go through the EU certification process. The certification is made for
each individual e-bike, not for the model!
45 km/h EU e-bikes I know of and are more or less available:
- Specialized Turbo Vado 6.0
- Trek Allant+ S
- Bulls E-Stream Evo 45 AM (the only L1e-B e-MTB)
- Haibike S