Pedelec

This article is about pedal-assist only e-bikes that are often legally classified as conventional bicycles. For other sorts of e-bikes, see Electric bicycle.

A Pedelec (from pedal electric cycle) or EPAC (electronically power assisted cycle), is a type of electric bicycle or e-bike where the electric motor is contolled by the rider's pedalling. Pedelecs have electronic controllers that cut power to the motor when the rider is not pedalling or when a certain speed is reached, 25 km/h (16 mph) in many countries or 20 mph (32 km/h) in North America, or 45 km/h (28 mph) in some countries (S-pedelecs).

Deutsche Bahn pedelecs with rear hub motors and batteries placed inside the frames. This is the "Jetstream" from Riese und Müller.

Many jurisdictions classify pedelecs as bicycles, with few or no legal restrictions, rather than as mopeds, where the riders are subject to the regulations of such motor vehicles, e.g. having a license, a vehicle registration, insurance, wearing a helmet, or age-restrictions.

Increasingly more powerful and faster vehicles are being sold that are technically pedelecs but in character and legally motorcycles, such as the EROCKIT.

History

A patent (US 3,884,317) for the principle of the pedelec was awarded to Augustus Kinzel in 1975, and suitable legislation for these appeared in 1983 in the UK. Yamaha invented its PAS Power Assist System in 1989 but did not sell any until 1994, its model AX1.

In 1989, Michael Kutter, founder of the Swiss company Velocity and later Dolphin E-bikes, designed and produced his first pedelec prototype.^[1] The first market-ready models from Velocity were available in 1992, later under the name Dolphin. These pedelecs had no electronic speed limit when pedalling with the motor and intially had a twist-grip motor control in addition to the pedal sensor, but could not be operated over 20 km/h with the motor alone. Kutter managed to convince the Swiss authorities to allow these electric bicycles in a new legal class. This was later dubbed S-pedelec but then restricted to 45 km/h hybrid speed.

In 1995 the Swiss company BKTech sold its first model under the name Flyer.^[2] After some years, the name Flyer became a synonym for e-bikes in Switzerland due to heavy promotion initially in senior-citizen and tourist rental markets.

In 1997, Alan Abbott co-founded a company to sell the first pedelec in the US, under the name Charger. He had already co-developed the pedelec principle in 1988, but then used a gasoline engine, as his motivation wasn't mainly environmental, but to promote exercise.

Up to 2018, the Canadian company BioniX produced an easy-to-install pedelec kit with a gearless hub motor complete with rear wheel, that also became popular in Europe.^[3]

Today, the majority of e-bikes sold in many countries are pedelecs and the term is used less. Cargo bikes, recumbent tricycles, and velomobiles are gaining popularity equipped with electric assist and mostly as pedelecs. Ironically the very first similar vehicle sold in 1985, the Sinclair C5 recumbent electric tricycle, was not a pedelec, and the legislation it was then based on did not demand it.

Pedelec market penetration

Germany

As of 2012^[update] there were about 600,000 pedelecs on the road in Germany.^[4] Growth has been spectacular: the year before, 310,000–340,000 pedelecs were sold in Germany and this in turn was 55% more than in 2010.^[5] In fact, in Germany sales have gone up by more than 30% every year since 2008.^{[6][timeframe?]} In comparison, there were around 70 million conventional bicycles in Germany in 2011 according to ZIV, the German Bicycle Industry Association.^[6]

About 95% of all e-bikes in Germany are in fact pedelecs.^{[citation needed]}

ADAC, the German automotive club, tested a large number of pedelecs in 2013, where about 56% of the pedelecs failed the test with a score lower than reasonable due to unsatisfactory safety and durability.^[7]

Elsewhere

Only the Chinese market for pedelecs and e-bikes is bigger than the European. According to the National Bureau of Statistics in China, more than 100 million e-bikes are on the road. Annual production in Chinese factories has increased from 58,000 in 1998 to 33 million in 2011. A pedelec classification separate from an e-bike is not known in China.

Legal status of pedelecs worldwide

To really be useful, it is important for a pedelec to be legally classified as a bicycle in each country or jurisdiction rather than classified as a moped or motorcycle. Otherwise, if a pedelec is classified as a moped or motorbike then it may not be allowed in bike lanes or on bike paths; the pedelec may have to be registered; the rider may have to wear a motorcycle helmet; and/or vehicle insurance may have to be paid for.

Europe

In the European Union a pedelec does not need registration, insurance, or license plate, if it adheres to these rules:

1. Motor power up to 250 W (continuous)
2. Motor is active only when the pedals are turned
3. Highest speed of 25 km/h (15.5 mph) with motor assistance

If any of these rules is not followed, the vehicle is classified as either e-bike or S-Pedelec which require a license plate and insurance, or as a motorbike which also requires a driving license.^[8]

Austria

In Austrian law, there is no difference between any types of electric bicycles like such as exclusively powered by electricity without having pedals (see below, lit. d) or as hybrid powered (see below, lit. b), equal if it is power-assisted only when pedalling (pedelec^[9] but not: S-Pedelec^[10]) or without need of pedalling (commonly in Austria known as e-bike^[9]).

To be such electric vehicles not classified as motor vehicle but as Fahrrad (= bicycle) according to § 2 paragraph 1 number 22 lit. b and d Road Traffic Act 1960 (StVO 1960)^[11] in conjunction with § 1 paragraph 2a Motor Vehicle Law 1967 (KFG 1967)^[12] two types of electric bikes can be distinguished:

22. Fahrrad:
a) […],
b) ein Fahrzeug nach lit. a, das zusätzlich mit einem elektrischen Antrieb gemäß § 1 Abs. 2a KFG 1967 ausgestattet ist (Elektrofahrrad),
c) […],
d) ein elektrisch angetriebenes Fahrzeug, dessen Antrieb dem eines Elektrofahrrads im Sinne des § 1 Abs. 2a KFG 1967 entspricht[.]

—§ 2 Abs. 1 Z 22 lit. a and d^[11]

Translation:

22. bicycle:
a) […],
b) a vehicle according lit. a, which in addition to an electric drive according to § 1 paragraph 2a KFG 1967 is equipped (electric bike),
c) […],
d) an electrically driven vehicle, the drive corresponds to an electric bicycle as defined in § 1 paragraph 2a KFG 1967" (thus a just-electric drive)[.]

—§ 2 paragraph 1 number 22 littera a and d

The above named § 1 paragraph 2a KFG 1967 defines as follows:

(2a) Nicht als Kraftfahrzeuge, sondern als Fahrräder im Sinne der StVO 1960 gelten auch elektrisch angetriebene Fahrräder mit
1. einer höchsten zulässigen Leistung von nicht mehr als 600 Watt und
2. einer Bauartgeschwindigkeit von nicht mehr als 25 km/h.

—§ 1 Abs. 2a KFG 1967^[12]

Translation:

(2a) Not as motor vehicles, but as bicycles in the sense of the StVO 1960 are also electrically driven bicycles with
1. a maximum allowable power of not more than 600 watts and
2. a design speed of not more than 25 km/h.

—§ 1 paragraph 2a KFG 1967

As for normal (only muscle powered) bikes, also for electric bikes, the provisions of bicycle Regulation, for the control of these are the same as those for muscle StVO-powered bicycles, etc. Mandatory use of the bike path lane with bicycles. For their (commercial) In placing on the market subject to the product liability provisions.

If the above criteria are exceeded, the electric bicycle (equal if a so-called S-Pedelec or any other e-bike) it is a motor vehicle under the rules of the KFG 1967 and not a "Fahrrad" under the StVO 1960 and is only allowed to drive as a moped with the corresponding consequences. It must be a liability insurance be completed, it is the helmet and a driver's license of the corresponding class L1-eB (Vehicle classification "Two-wheel moped" in the Regulation (EU) No 168/2013) must be present. It must also be equipped like a moped with a maximum design vehicle speed less or equal 45 km/h. For these, the buyer should make sure to receive a COC (certificate of conformity) from the dealer in addition to the purchase contract. Only with these documents, the fast e-bike can be registered.^[9][10]

Other of above described electric bicycles are not typable in Austria.

Switzerland

The Swiss rules conform partially to the European rules, with some differences. From July 1, 2025 the following apply^[13]:

"Light-Motorbicycles". Including tricycles. In difference to the EU rules, they are not required to be pedelecs:

   Motor: max. 500 W
   Max. speed with or without pedalling 25 km/h
   Max. total weight 250 kg
   No driving licence required over 16 years, category M licence for 14-16 years
   No licence plate, liability insurance of some type required
   No helmet required

"Fast Motorbicycles":

   Motor: max. 1000 W
   Max. speed without pedalling 30 km/h (including mopeds with i.c. engines)
   Max. speed with pedalling: 45 km/h (S-pedelecs)
   Driving licence at least category M licence required
   Licence plate including liability insurance required
   Helmet required

"Heavy Motorbicycles" Including tricycles:

   Motor: max. 2000 W
   Max. speed with or without pedalling 25 km/h  (E-cargocycles)
   Total weight: 250 to 450 kg
   Driving licence at least category M licence required
   Licence plate including liability insurance required
   Helmet required

The Netherlands

The true Pedelecs are not required to have any other prerequisities than a bicycle has.

However, any pedelec where the power assistance is triggered by merely turning wheels rather than pedal motion (a large number of cheap versions or notoriously front hub assistance), are required to have a licence plate for a scooter / small motorcycle (so called snorfiets or bromfiets), a valid driving licence and an insurance.

In case of the power assistance stopping at a speed up to 25 km/h, the riders are not required to carry motorcycle helmets, however, this speed limit shall not be exceeded even while pedaling only.^{[citation needed]} There is no speedlimit by law for human powered vehicles, including un-assisted pedelecs at > 25 kmh speed. Electric bicycles, for example Specialized Turbo, without 25 km/h speed limitation for power assistance are considered a small motorcycle and besides license plate (yellow with black letters), driving license and insurance, a 'motorcycle helmet' must be worn at all time from the start of 2017 and onwards.

A large fleet of electric bicycles and pedelecs without required power control linked to the pedaling effort can be seen on the cycling paths without any proper registration.

Additionally, many users found simple ways to modify their pedelecs in order to overcome the pedaling sensor, making their pedelecs without further proper vehicle registration illegal.

Asia

Hong Kong

Pedelecs, and all kinds of mechanical assist, are regarded as "motor vehicles" and classified as motor cycles, making legal registration impossible. The Hong Kong Transport Department is currently conducting a review, with a first report expected in mid-2020.^[14][15]

Singapore

Pedelecs are allowed, when wearing a helmet, the motor output is limited to 200 W and the motor cuts out by 25 km/h.^[16]

India

Electric vehicles whose motor's power is under 250 W and whose maximum speed doesn't exceed 25 km/h, require no registration under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules. They can be driven freely without license or other paperwork.^[17]

Japan

Electric-assisted bicycles are treated as human-powered bicycles, while bicycles capable of propulsion by electric power alone face additional registration and regulatory requirements as mopeds. Requirements include electric power generation by a motor that cannot be easily modified, along with a power assist mechanism that operates safely and smoothly. In December 2008, the assist ratio was updated as follows:^[18]

• Under 10 km/h; 2
• 10–24 km/h; ${\displaystyle 2-{\tfrac {{\text{speed in }}{\tfrac {km}{h}}-10}{7}}}$
• Over 24 km/h; 0

In October 2017, only for the special case that 3 wheel bicycle that draws a cart with a device to be drawn, the ratio was updated as follows:

• Under 10 km/h; 3
• 10–24 km/h; ${\displaystyle 2-{\tfrac {3\cdot {\text{speed in }}{\tfrac {km}{h}}-10}{14}}}$
• Over 24 km/h; 0

(See Moped)

Australia

As of 30 May 2012, Australia has an additional new electric bicycle category using the European model of a "Pedelec" as per EN15194 Standard. This means the bicycle can have a motor of 250 watts continuous rated power which must be activated only by pedalling (if above 6 km/h) and must cut out over 25 km/h. The State of Victoria is the first to amend their local road rules to accommodate this new standard as of 18 September 2012.^[19]

Technical

Components

Pedelecs differ from an ordinary electric bicycle by an additional control system for the motor as well as a sensor to detect the speed and/or the torque of the cranks.

Battery

see Electric_bicycle#Batteries.

Motor control

For switching or control of the motor, there are several possibilities:

• Measuring the force or torque from the signal of a force sensor on the pedals, the pedal crank, the chain or at the wheel
• Measurement of treading on the signal from a revolution counter or threshold switches on the crank, or at another suitable location
• Measurement of both force and the speed
• Measurement of acceleration or drawbar force at the push trailer
• Measuring electrical values in the serial hybrid (pedal generator)

In addition, the speed of the vehicle are measured on the wheel, in particular, for example, to drive the motor from 25 km/h off.

The measurement can be further processed mechanically or electronically and is used to control the motor on and off or to regulate a control function based on continuously.

The fed power is based on the sensor data (force sensor, crank speed, ground speed) is calculated based on the chosen level of support from the motor controller. The so-called support levels, that is, how much the motor supported in addition to the driver's performance lie in horizontal drive 5-400 percent.

When the motors are regularly used heavily, especially when going uphill they may heat up significantly, some have a temperature sensor in the motor winding, where if a certain temperature is reached the electronics may reduce power to the motor. Ideally the electronics disconnect the battery at a predetermined discharge voltage to prevent total discharge and to ensure sufficient supply for the operation of the lighting system. This can be done by electronics in the battery.

Force control

When running with a force sensor, the motor is automatically a certain percentage of the service provided to the driver. In many models, this proportion may be set in several stages. There are also models where the support level can be set only at the dealer to the customer.

Rotary motion detection

In the version with speed sensor (s) of the motor is automatically using a function to a set percentage of the self-applied force. Since the force required at the speed rises sharply, it can be calculated in some models without force sensor.

Sliding or traction

The slide or traction can help with Maximization of legislation to support a motor without pedaling to 6 km/h. The shift means has the advantage that you can let the bike roll along with motor support without pedaling or you push yourself (e.g. must, when transporting a heavy load, or so you walk up the wheel alone on a hill may be). For some models, the allowed 6 km/h can be achieved only in top gear, the other gears in the wheel rolls correspondingly slower. In any case, it allows for a faster (and more controlled physically) starting from standstill to "green" switches over light .

Power electronics

The power electronics, depending on the type of motor, consist of a DC motor controller with pulse-width modulation or a regulated DC-AC converter.

Motor types

Pedelec hub motor with gearbox

Smart e-bike motor

See Electric_bicycle#Motors_and_drivetrains

Force approach of the electric drive

See generally starting points of the electric drive. When Pedelec specifically, the type of control of the drive by the pedaling (see above), which may be integrated in the drive.

Drive positions

The position of the motor has a significant impact on the handling of the pedelec. The following combinations of actuator position and motor have been successful:

• Motor in the bottom bracket (mid-engine)
• Motor in the hub of the front wheel
• Motor in the hub of the rear wheel

Range

Generally the maximum range of a pedelec trip is of the same order as that of a similar unmotorized cycle and thus mainly dependant on the trip conditions and the human rider. The maximum range while using the motor depends in addition on the battery capacity, the speed and the degree of motor assistance chosen. As a pedelec cannot be used without some human power input, its range is likely to be somewhat higher than an e-bike used without pedalling.

A pedelec with a 70 kg rider (total mass of ≈100 kg) can be calculated to go about 5.6 kilometres on a 10% grade at 25 km/h on battery power alone (assuming frontal area = 0.4 meter-squared, drag coefficient = 0.7, altitude = 100m, wind speed = 10 km/h (2.8 m/s) and rolling resistance coefficient = 0.007^[20][21]). Depending on the assistance of the rider (which is required on a pedelec), a proportionally greater range is possible.

Safety

Safety issues are a concern in relatively flat areas, but are more pronounced in the hills. Hilly areas provide changing conditions; this poses the possibility of encountering more critical situations and thus more accidents may occur. Cars may need to overtake pedelecs at higher speeds than cars would overtake regular bikes, and this may result in more accidents with serious consequences for both cyclists and drivers. For drivers and pedestrians, it may be difficult to estimate how fast a cyclist is moving. Also, an elderly person may ride much faster on a pedelec than previously possible. Risky situations can also arise at road exits and junctions. To illustrate the consequences of such critical situations, the German Insurers Accident Research (UDV) has conducted a research project with road tests, performance tests and crash tests for pedelecs.^[22][23][24]

On the other hand, many pedelec (and e-bike) users report that they can ride more defensively with the auxiliary electric drive assisting them; unlike traditional bicyclists that tend to be averse to braking since this incurs effort to accelerate again, a pedelec rider can brake and then accelerate back to a normal speed with much less effort. The Bavarian accident statistics for the first half of 2012 lists 6,186 accidents involving bicycles, of which 76 are e-bikes and notes that the accident risk of e-bikes is not higher than for other bicycles.^[25]

The use of S-Pedelecs involves an additional risk. Not only do they achieve a higher average speed, but a higher top speed (usually 45 km/h) and can also expect a higher annual mileage.

See also

• Motorized bicycle
• Electric bicycle
• Electric bicycle laws