Author:

Keywords:

policy, light vehicles, regulation, speed pedelec, maximum assistance factor

Abstract:

Speed pedelecs can count on a growing popularity. With their maximum assistance speed of 45 km/h, they are classified as two-wheel mopeds in the European technical legislation. To minimally adapt type approval regulations for speed pedelecs, extra requirements are introduced for “cycles designed to pedal”. The definition of such cycles includes, among others, a maximum assistance factor of four. The present paper shows that this is not the right tool for defining. Obstacles in national legislation are mainly due to the interpretation of the European technical classification and are related to the position on the road, fiscal incentives and insurance policy.