Rescued attachment a1.jpg
Are these things legal in the UK? As I have a mountain bike that could be easily converted to this and it's only £200 for the kit.
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tax, insurance, etc etc ?
no I'm asking does it need all that or is it just a power assisted bike?
My gut instinct says it would not be legal without Tax & insurance.
Moped springs to mind.
I think this would have been done years ago if it were easy & legal.
Ronnie 
what about the latest crop of electricly assisted bikes then surly this is the same principal just an engine to assist rather than a motor
Ebay link
Brand new and not much dearer!!
Allegedly being ['in the know' dependant on CC etc I have to put it in the moped category requiring tax, insurance, licence, registration etc.
quote:
Originally posted by 24vseven
what about the latest crop of electricly assisted bikes then surly this is the same principal just an engine to assist rather than a motor
in holland this is called a moped.
they have them overhere much neather and more save!!!
imagine unther driveing puting your hand in the chain!!! i bet you even cant see the chain... and then its on the inner side of your leg.....eeekk
cant be legal...
Tks
I don't want to brag, but
That open drive chain/belt. Will have my manhood off
Ronnie
Engine assisted bike is nothing new I can remember seeing them when I was a kid in the fifties. Engine hung from the handlebars and drove the front wheel IIRC? Can't help with the legalities but I suspect tax , insurance etc
quote:
Originally posted by bonzoronnie
quote:
Originally posted by 24vseven
what about the latest crop of electricly assisted bikes then surly this is the same principal just an engine to assist rather than a motor
i
Different laws apply to electric powered/assisted vehicles
Ronnie
You'd have to do the motorcycle SVA too
quote:
Originally posted by rusty nuts
Engine assisted bike is nothing new I can remember seeing them when I was a kid in the fifties. Engine hung from the handlebars and drove the front wheel IIRC? Can't help with the legalities but I suspect tax , insurance etc
I've a feeling that leccy bikes have a speed limit.
Must not be capable of more than 15mph, or something like that.
Paul G
Scott
Assuming the motor in the picture isn't electric then the "bike" would have to meet all the (Construction & Use) regulations as
well as all other Road Traffic (etc) Act rules.
It is no different in law from a motorbike and therfore needs to be insured, taxed and MOT'd when applicable.
I believe its all down to the top speed it can achieve, thats why those invalid chariots that have sprung up in the last 10 years do not need plates.
The only get-out is for Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPC). That Ebay link above would be illegal as it's way over the max allowed power.
Invalid carriages come under completely different regs. Here is some info:
Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles are exempt from all registration and licensing requirements provided that the following conditions are met:
1. In the case of a bicycle, its kerbside weight must not exceed 40kgs, or in case of a tricycle it must not exceed 60kgs (including batteries)
2. Both bicycles and tricycles must be fitted with pedals by means of which they can be propelled.
3. The output of the electric motor fitted must not exceed 0.2kW in the case of a bicycle and 0.25kW for tricycles and it cannot propel the vehicle
when it is travelling at more than 15mph.
4. There must be a switch that, when released by the rider, cuts the power to the motor.
Conform to these regs and you can ride an electric bike without needing a licence, tax disc, insurance, etc, etc. Otherwise, it should be MSVA'd,
registered as a motor vehicle, and you'll have to wear a proper motor cycle helmet.
[Edited on 28/1/08 by matt_claydon]