People for Bikes: Progress on Ebike Laws in the US

[jabberwocky]

I have often thought that Class 1 Vs Class 3 e-bikes are a strange way of separating them. I get the throttle/no throttle thing, but shouldn't there be two classes of e-bikes? Throttle vs no throttle, regardless of the cap on the assit level.

I've always thought it was because there are varying restriction requirements for different types of bike infrastructure. Most singletrack-managing agencies and groups aren't going to be kosher with assist above 20 mph and definitely not with throttles, so its nice to have a class that meets that for emtbs. Otherwise they are mainly following the CSPC definitions that say throttles can't assist above 20mph.

All singletrack that is open to ebikes in my area (NoVA) only allows class 1s. Thats if they allow ebikes at all, which many still do not. And almost all emtbs sold by reputable brands are class 1.

For those of you with Class 3 e-bikes, do you often pedal at more than 20 MPH?

I often pedal my class 3 into the 20s. On level or downhill pavement, 20-25mph is easy to cruise at. Up to the cutoff is rare though, if I'm going over 24-25 mph I'm probably going downhill and taking a pedal break.

It would be interesting if we sold cars that way.

Can you imagine a Class 1 car that will only go 40 MPH and a Class 3 car that will go 56 MPH?

I mean, if you're ok with car-style restrictions (licensing/safety requirements/only usable on infrastructure open to motor vehicles) you can absolutely get ebikes with unlimited speed and power caps. You just have to meet the requirements for motorcycles and have insurance and a class M license. Can even have pedals if you want.

The entire ebike definition system is about establishing cutoffs that let ebikes be treated as bikes and use infrastructure that was designed for non-powered vehicles.

 

[Ken M]

@bob armani

HR 727 defines an "low speed electric bike" as same as a bike. There is a federal supremacy clause in the bill that prevents the states from writing a more stringent regulation for ebikes that can be legally sold and ridden just like traditional bikes.

No is the short answer to your question. HR 727 is a consumer law legalizing ebikes to be sold as bicycles and not motorized vehicles in the US. For the purpose you want (if necessary?), you would want state and local laws. That's what determines if your ebike is legal and that you're allowed to ride where you are riding.

 

[Ken M]

Is there anyone from People for Bikes that is willing to have a discussion about the 3 class state regulations and HR727 federal definition of a low speed electric bicycle?

 

[Ken M]

The entire ebike definition system is about establishing cutoffs that let ebikes be treated as bikes and use infrastructure that was designed for non-powered vehicles.

Somewhat accurate but the definition of compliance was intended to be HR727 and states were supposed to retain "use" regulations of compliant "low speed electric bicycles" as same as traditional bikes. There was one "class" that allowed full power to 20mph and limited assist beyond that speed - i.e. it stated max motor alone speed was 20mph with 170lb rider on level ground (a bit confusing but not if your the PhD electrical engineer that worked for years to pull legal purview of ebikes from the NHTSA and more it to the CPSC which benefited all ebike riders.

 

[Ken M]

The entire ebike definition system is about establishing cutoffs

No matter how many times I mention it, nobody ever reads HR727 which is the federal definition for what is a compliant "low speed electric bicycle" that can be sold in all 50 states. It does not define a cut-off at 20mph....it states that motor alone speed is limited to 20mph on level surface with 170lb rider. That defines the power limit that is allowed beyond 20mph (around 300w) to avoid having a cut-off which many consider a safety concern. People for Bikes did not understand HR727 when they defined assist limits at 20mph because they were too focused on something harmonized with the EU so that same ebikes sold there could be sold here but that was true before the 3 class legislation.