Are Throttles on Ebikes Legal? | The Himiway Cruiser | How to Ride Like A Driving Instructor
Вставка
- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- Did you know that a throttle on an E bike is legal in the UK? I've been sent Himiway Cruiser E bike which has one to test out and I was really impressed. Could you sell your car and use one of these for your commute?
Please check out The Himiway Cruiser using my link uk.himiwaybike... and use code ASHLEY50 for £50 off after applying per bike. Happy riding!
Dash Camera Affiliate Links.
Car - Viofo - viofouk.co.uk/...
Motorcycle - Innov - innovv.co.uk/a...
Motorcycle, Bicycle and Equestrian - Techalogic - techalogic.co....
Social Media
www.ashleyneal...
/ ashleynealdrivinginstr...
ashleysanalysis@gmail.com
Amazon Links
Sony a6400 Camera - amzn.to/2xVCrn0
Sony A7C Camera - amzn.to/3JUvUIa
Tascam DR-10L Microphone - amzn.to/3M8P0fd
Sony FDR X3000 Action Camera - amzn.to/2YVoPDh
Listen Ash, you're never going to get your "Jeremy Vine Award for Cycling Journalism" if you keep insisting on slowing down when someone gets in your way. You're supposed to keep your speed up, then chase the driver, tap on his window and berate him. Really, call yourself a professional?
🤣👍
Great video. I Am over 60, though people don't believe me and ride more than double the distance I drive - 9700 miles cycling to 4000 miles driving. My brother has an e-bike which he prefers to use these days and he is in his mid 50's. It depends on the individuals fitness of the person, if they need require an e-bike. Most people ride e-bikes because it it easier. There are too many vehicles, especially in inner London, though within the London congestion charge zone! People are more car orientated and not everyone can or would make changes!
As a car driver... I like bikes... less cars in the road getting in my way and causing traffic. Yeah motorists complain about bikes but a cyclist is EASY to pass. A car? Not so much!
Without getting into a great debate, it is notable that the modal share of cycling in Central London is now 11%, and nearly 10% in Inner London, which are the main areas where decent infrastructure has been built.
It's all about thinking about "transport" not "cycling"; if it becomes the most convenient way to travel along with public transport, with no perceived safety issues, then people will choose it, and will transfer. Since cycling space moves people more efficiently than the same space for motor vehicles, congestion will fall in time and those who need motor vehicles get more efficient journeys too. It's just making the transition happen 🙂.
Someone needs to deal with RKBC, however. And continue building decent infra out across London.
Not exactly the all year round weather for it especially when icy and we can get more than our fare share of rain too not that I ever noticed it much with one of those classic yellow cycling capes wrapped under my seat and over the handle bars.
@@marklittler784 I have some sympathy with the weather point, and especially the ice point - as as usual in the UK we do not often have *quite* enough to make the move from low temperature tyres to studded tyres a no-brain choice.
But I note that we all seem to walk around during the winter, which is perhaps the best comparison.
Wow. I just finally managed to encourage myself to use my bike (not electric) more. Had the first use of it yesterday and I haven't ridden one in over a decade! Still spooked to use the main road so my route just using cycle paths. My town is notoriously known for its lack of kindness to cyclists.
I started this because of exactly as you mentioned. Too many cars! I volunteer for a museum and because of recent local events, people have took up almost all spots on the car park. And the volunteers aren't even able to get parking. Which is understandable.
Unfortunately though. There are absolutely no places I can put my bike, and I managed to liaise a spot inside the museum I can hide it when I arrive.
The most ironic part about this though is that the museum is literally a police station. Which is still being used. And we don't have any infastructure nearby for allowing bikers to put their bikes away to encourage the use of bikes.
The only close thing is the bike shelter in the train station. Which you have to buy a train ticket for, plus premium. Nothing else. It's honestly ridiculous..! Honestly wish it's encouraged more to use bikes. I'm definitely going to contact my council express that it might be a great thing to do such a thing. Especially now that they're planning on building houses over some more car parks..!
@user-mi6ri6in7d I understand that completely. But my town's rated to be the worst over the years can't remember if it's the worse, or second. It's Warrington to be exact. Which is not helping because now it discourages more people using bikes and therefore the council doesn't see the point investing into any infastructure to support cycling more. :(
It always baffles me when I chose to cycle into town instead of drive, how often I get beeped at for being in people's way, even though the entire reason is to not contribute to making traffic worse, else I'd just be another car taking up so much room on the roads.
Jeremy Vine would've made a whole movie about the white Ford
ebikes are brilliant, they get people interested in cycling again and that is always a good thing, the less cars on the road the better. I just converted my pedal bike with a mid drive kit and it just flattens everything out, flying up hills doing 15mph where I'd normally be pushing the bike or struggling along 5mph or less. My bike was 12.7KG originally, and is about 23KG now, probably a bit more with accessories fitted.
What mid drive kit did you go for? I'm looking to convert my hybrid so I can do some Deliveroo in a very hilly area.
@@bokehintheussr5033 Bafang
They aren't on the roads. THey are on the pavements, on pedestrian only crossings.
have you ever added a mirror to your bicycle? I have one on the right hand side of the handlebar and I love it, only ride with one now on bicycles. E-bikes should have them IMO especially considering it's greater capability of keeping up with traffic
+1 very useful in a city
Mirrors are ok if you have limited neck movement, but I would say turning your head to either side is better because other road users can see that your aware for what’s around you
Good video. I suspect the experience with regard to road user attitude and patience might have been different had it been during rush hour.
I am retired so do not commute but I do ride a lot, often many hours a day and experience a big difference in behaviour at different times of the day.
I'm a fairly keen cyclist. My ideal ebike would be lightweight and give some power assistance at any speed.
Unfortunately, my ideal ebike is not legally possible due to the 15.5 mph limit.
The legal power of 250W is OK, but it's a shame it has to cut out over 15.5 mph, which is too slow for me.
You can derestrict some ebikes. Mine goes to 20mph pedal assist. No one will ever know.
@@dtz1000 The law around ebikes frustrates me. What's dangerous in the middle of a city is completely safe on rural commutes. Being able to do ~22 mph is a god send, but what can you do. I'm tempted in the future to get a licenced 500 W bike, but they're 10 times the price of a kit.
I've never ridden an E-bike, but if the motor is doing most of the work to get you to 15.5 and then has good motor (which doesn't drag when it isn't powered) and suitable gearing - then you'll still have plenty left in the tank by the time you reach 15.5 and cruising 20-25 on the flat probably won't be too taxing (assuming the road surface isn't terrible and doesn't sap all your momentum).
@@jhferu Over 15.5 mph on a legal ebike would be harder work than on a normal bike, apart from downhill.
There's no power assistance over 15.5 mph, and an ebike is heavier than a normal bike
My illegal ebike has the legal power output of 250W, but gives power assistance up to 22 mph.
It's like having a strong tailwind, all the time. Perfect.
On any bike, there is a BIG difference between 15.5 and 22 mph.
You can get a speed pedelec but you’d need to register it with DVLA, number plate, insurance, helmet to be legal on the road. They go 28mph. Otherwise you’re looking at getting an electric moped but then you’re not cycling.
A well-timed video, Ash. There's currently a Transport Select Committee enquiry into Accessible Transport, and they need to think about some questions around this - such as can a bicycle or tricycle or e-scooter used as a mobility aid be excluded from the pavement, despite being far smaller than a mobility scooter? The recent Huntingdon 77-old-lady-forced-into-traffic-and-killed case will sharpen this debate.
At present this whole area is something that has never been addressed. My resolution would be a further developed third network for cycles / mobility scooters / e-bikes / even e-microcars 1m wide to make space available, and encourage use of that rather than focus on "Get off MY pavement" / "Get off MY road" squabble which gets nowhere, accepted to avoid making any real investment. We'll get there.
I did not watch quite the full 50 minutes, but I note that the anti-wheelchair / anti-pram barrier at 07:08 is illegal unless it offers a clear opening of ~1.5m. That is another accessible transport question, just as much as wheelers at my station having to get a train 20 miles and back to change platform because my mainline-to-London station has no lift. My area also has whole networks of railway and flat paths from which wheelchairs are completely excluded.
I've got a fat-tyre Ebike with throttle and the throttle is GREAT for moving in a slow, safe, and controlled manner. This is really useful. As Ashley's ride shows, there's plenty of shared paths and lanes where slowly navigating around pedestrians and obstacles like staggered gates is the best option. They do shoot off when pedaled, and the throttle is better for easing around things carefully. On a side note, I prefer to stay in the road when riding. Partly because I'm a life long motor vehicle driver, but mostly because the bike is too big and fast to risk on cycle lanes with regular cycles, and particularly ones shared with pedestrians.
I’ve had one of my two bikes for a good 15 years, it’s a conventional pedal only, and it’s done me very well over those years. About 4 years ago my left knee started to get really bad due to arthritis but I still wanted to cycle, so I decided to fit an electric conversion kit to it, from eBay this worked very well. Since having my knee replacement I thought I would keep this bike and buy a pedal only one. This was great for a while but now my right knee is starting to play up so at the moment I’m using the electric bike again. I don’t go off road as such, there is one stretch of about 7 miles which is dedicated cycle path away from all other traffic so the gears are set in the highest. As regarding using the throttle, although it has PAS I prefer to use the throttle only when necessary, I have a particular route which is 20 miles round trip and is very much flat, only having the occasional road bridge, so to be honest I don’t need to use the throttle very much. When I do it is only just a trickle, I must admit I wind it up a little on these ‘isolated’ cycle tracks, if no other users are around. But although I don’t need to pedal when using the throttle I always have it set just so that I still can.
My electric bike isn't legal with its throttle. But I have bad knees and will need new knees one day. I got the bike to help exercise my knees and when it becomes too painful I can use the throttle to get me home. It might not be right but seeing the police do very little to stop illegal scooters on our roads that are a lot more dangerous to others, then I'm not too concerned about going out on the odd jolly and enjoy my bike
As someone who has started cycling one or two days a week to work I enjoyed this video.
I find I enjoy the journey in on days I cycle if I drove that would not be the case. The trip home is a bit of a slog sometimes but hopefully I'll get better at it and cycle more days.
I would encourage people to try if they feel up to it.
Just checking in with everyone to say Hello and let you know all is well with me. I'm down in the Seattle USA area for the 2nd time now during my trip back to Vancouver Canada. Driving has been pretty much incident free so far, both in Canada and USA and border crossings both ways very straightforward with no waits. Some interesting driving observations here despite many years of driving over here in the past. Hope all is well with everyone back in the UK. Been very busy here and I have some serious catching up to do with Ashley's videos, including this one. Stay safe everyone.🇨🇦 🇺🇸 🇬🇧
Best wishes. Always appreciate your comments.
The reversed brake arrangement is typical in Spain, may well be standard. I always had to swap them when I borrowed friends' bikes for any length of time. There's nothing like an emergency stop with the brakes reversed to increase the laundry load.
A couple of riding hints: avoid looking behind while signalling, it's one or the other - shoulder checks are life-savers as are signals but doing them both simultaneously can present control issues; wear gloves man, even fingerless ones - you'll know why the first time you come off.
I totally agree with holding back on the left-indicating van - anyone can be right from a hospital bed. Likewise the comments on filtering.
Totally disagree about looking behind and signalling. They can't be timed correctly without a look 👍
@@ashley_neal To me they are the same as checking the blind spot in a car while moving lanes or signalling.
I understand where Pedro is coming from with the number of drivers I see turn the wheel slightly when looking in the mirror or blind spot and assume it can happen to some extent on a cycle as well with some styles of looking with the arm out
Agree with the gloves, when I did a paper round in my younger, fitter years, I would wear gloves even in the summer. Not only protects against coming off but stops bug impacts stinging and if you found yourself down an unmanaged path…stopped those brambles digging in too deep!
+1 on the gloves!
What about the shorts then?
I bet your ebike is still illegal on UK Roads Ash. That motor says 48 volts. You are only allowed a 36v battery pack..so that doesn’t marry up. I see the advert says “250w motor” but I bet it’s not..it looks as chunky as mine. You also state 80Nm motor torque which is synonymous with the bigger 500-750 watt motors. Your 6 Kph ‘throttle’ is a walk assist mode which allows you to walk alongside up a steep hill while the motor takes care of the 30 Kg bike weight. Full speed range throttles are (for no good reason) illegal in UK…the government insists you peddle to operate the motor. This is of course egregious government over reach, demanding you indulge exercise as a condition of motor assistance…what a bloody nerve to be so dictatorial about how you choose to cycle! In my opinion we should adopt the sensible American ethos of 750w motors and speeds upto 20mph with hand throttle control allowable . The UK regulations are carried over EU regs and 250 watts in a hub motor is no where near enough grunt to get an obese rider up a steep hill. All those docu/ebike channels who disagree you’ll notice are not greatly overweight folk and tend to comment from central London, not known for its mountainous roadways. Further, all e-bikes can be electronically down tuned to stay speed compliant…and I suspect the probably Chinese supplier has done this with Himiway hopefully attracting the UK market…the question is will a DVSA inspector fall for it if you get impounded and they find you have a 500 watt motor electrically limited to 250w and therefore able to be derestricted with little effort. 12:05 Ash quote “We have to get away from this car centric thinking”…Do we? Who says so Ash…Nice of you to decide my transport needs for me. Look…NOT EVERYONE is young enough or fit enough to give up their car…what about shopping when you live rurally, taking granny to her appointment, going to pub night with friends and other such venues not served by buses. Pushing this Lefty ideology of fit happy people all cycling to easily reachable destinations is not only a fairy tale, it is literally pushing us all back 100 years where only the privileged could drive…..You are literally talking yourself out of a job Mr. Driving Instructor…Ending on a +ve note, glad to see nice clear arm signals…many cyclists, if they bother at all, make a barely visible slight hand movement just off the edge of the handle bar. I always stick my arm right out and level..no misreading that, and at crossroad I raise my right arm vertically and lower it to point directly in front..like lining up a gun shot (learned it from seeing old chap doing it once and it impressed me).
Cycling can save time crossing busy towns, but a car is way faster rurally and you arrive dry instead of sometimes rain soaked and sweaty.
Finally everyone..cycle for fun, if you enjoy it and / or want to save wear and fuel on your car. Cycle for fitness if you like, but not by diktat and don’t be naive or pretentious enough to think you are ‘saving the planet’..UK’s TOTAL carbon emission on the world stage is under 2%..if you want to make a CO2 difference protest to India and China where 75% of it comes from huh!
It's a 750W motor with 25mph top speed but it's been restricted for the UK market. That's why it's so heavy.
Great video and it's nice to see more people who can relate and teach cyclist reasoning to a motorist crowd.
The Throttle's a great addition over standard electric bikes. Would be better with Indicators & Mirrors though. I agree with other comments regarding Gloves, they are a must.
There's a couple of places in this that Jeremy Vine would've turned into over-edited cars are bad sketches 😆
Nice bike! I would advise having the left and right brake levers/cables swapped over. It should be pretty straightforward to do this/have it done. Otherwise, in an emergency, you might get confused with the application of the brakes and fail to stop optimally, particularly if you regularly use annother UK spec. bike.
Imagine putting it in a car or carrying up the stairs at the train station...
Fair point, but it's all a different game on these things. If you need an Ebike for partial car and train journeys there's plenty of smaller folding ones.
Had an e bike (no throttle) for a few years and these issues haven’t cropped up because I didn’t get it to take it in a car or up stairs. I’ve clocked over 1400 miles since august cycling to work and lost about a stone of lockdown weight. There’s definitely a place for something like this even if not in the scenario you mention (as lighter e bikes exist that can be carried up stairs and put in or on cars)
There's electric folding bikes also
It’s only 72 lbs, 30ish kilos. Easy to carry up stairs. Takes up the same amount of room as a normal bike. I don’t really understand your point, unless you can carry a 10-15kg bike up, but not a 30kg one, which is certainly plausible
The same applies for wheelchairs. Railway travel can be hideously inaccessible.
A 17 year old lad can drive a car do 25 driving lessons in a Morris minor and go out the next day buy a lamborghini and drive it apparently safely cos he's kicking tax up to the government yet a throttle on an ebike is illegal and unsafe cos the govt isn't get kickbacks.
I'm only 4 minutes into the video, but again, it seems like you're not going to mention when you talk about thinbgs being illegal with ebikes, that it doesnt apply to ebikes manufactured before the legislation change. Just like cars manufactured before legislation change don't have to abide by the more modern safety standards but are still road legal.
Since you pride yourself on being factual and truthful, maybe you should mention this. I've been harassed over the throttle on my bike being "illegal" despite my bike being manufactured in 2010 and therefore legal due to being made before 1st January 2016, There are actually quite a lot of ebikes on the road which were produced between 2010-2016 which have throttles that can exceed 6km and these are legal, unless they've been modified from their original design specs.
I do see delivery riders who are going much faster without pedalling, so they're effectively a moped. The regulations aren't bad, but they need to be enforced better.
I work shifts and use my ebike on 2 of my 4, 10 miles each way. I love it because it doesn't take a huge amount longer vs the car. Generally I have very few issues with cars but there are a couple of areas I have to take primary because too many people pass too close.
Interesting, I live in the Scottish Borders and recently added a Swytch kit to my old 90’s mountain bike, with the aim like you of losing a bit of weight and getting fitter. Now it’s not anywhere near as good as this bike your on, and I will one day need to upgrade to something better but I have to say the electric assist with different power levels has made cycling a pleasure again for me. Since I last took my cycling proficiency test in 1977 it’s very useful to have some kind of lessons in how to ride in city centres etc a recent trip to drop off and then return to pick up my car from service went fine but I was terrified crossing major roads.
The government were more competent in those days. Having a cycling proficiency test was a great idea. I still remember it.
Gloves on bikes Ashley. You’re wearing a helmet and you’ll use your hands and palms to keep your head off the ground if you come off. Down to the bone in half a second
Ouch.
Ciao Ashley, I was (sometimes still am) a pretty angry driver. but watching your and other's content made me think calmer, take less fights and in general have lower expectations on the road. My girlfriend asked me a while back why i was watching this content especially because I just was such an angry man begind the wheel, and I told her that it kind of soothed my temped even in the beginning. like you always say "no need to fight it." that's what I am trying to implement myself. even if I find myself from time to time just shout "idiot" towards someone who cuts in unexpectedly and such - I'm nowhere near as angry as I have been. your calming attidude enabled me to drive with more safety, joy and less stress. So, thanks for that and keep your great content flood my subscription inbox.
greetings from switzerland :)
🙏👊
I nearly spat my tea out when such a heavy bike has cable not hydraulic disc brakes.
Please take the camera/light off your helmet. It's the mount that's the issue rather than the attachment. The best way to describe it is it's like putting a spike on your airbag.
Just waiting for the gov to have electric assisted bikes taxed and insured.😁
The brakes are swapped for the European market. I gather it’s so you can hold the front brake while mounting from the right. Uk you Mount from the left
Just came back from taking my son to sports class, on my ebike, son sitting on the back, very visible but I still got squeezed off the road by a car because he just had to overtake me.
I don't like the slow assisted speed on the road, it leaves me vulnerable and I am constantly being overtaken with about 10% of those overtakes being dangerously close.
This has to only go wrong 1 time and I'm dead, or my son is dead and the driver is very likely to get away with it and they know that.
Personally I'll get a faster ebike so I can keep up with traffic and reduce overtakes to add few as possible.
That does mean I have to be very mindful of my speed when using cycle paths and when being around other cyclists or pedestrians. I'm happy to do that, I'm trained to be sensible but I am tired of having a close call every time I ride my son to school or sports...
Being more assertive with my road position has made my riding safer, most drivers are incredibly respectful I only feel uncomfortable in probably one every 100 passes. Places where I have been squeezed (mostly in narrow 50/60 zones) I plant myself in the centre of the lane and that has helped. I try to be respectful as well and if a vehicle has to spend too long behind me, I find a safe spot to let them pass.
When you say "Himaway", I keep thinking of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"!
On the throttle on a motorcycle alters the amount of air the internal combustion engine gets ( like a choke does). So it is a term that has been reassigned to the electric motor (which does not need air to work).
The lion sleeps tonight. Nice one
The MiRider one folding ebike also has a throttle, I have one and it was one of the primary drivers for getting that bike. You can get an instant burst of power when you need it, rather than having to ride in a higher power level constantly, or use it to creep forward slowly unassisted.
I don't know if your're indicating right or it's a thanks sign you use in your car videos when you raise your arm, would it be better to extend your arm out further to indicate you're turning right?
In terms of speed, you should try a non electric road bike, very little friction, I use a cheap (£200) road bike from halfords. When I was lended an e-bike limited to 15 MPH it felt sooooo slow andf heavy in comparision, the only benifit I could see would be if going up a steep hill where I drop to 7-14 MPH on my road bike.
The 360 cam distorts the look of the arms when out to the side 👍 Look at the size of my hands compared to my head!
last summer on a shared path in Llanelli i got stuck behind two cheap Halfords Ebikers for 2 miles varying from 9 to 14 mph. My £150 Gumbtree, £325 SH, £600 rrp Roadbike felt like it was dawdling and that was after already doing 16 of a 40 mile round trip.
I like the idea of low effort 15 mph for 50 miles with power remaining, but the price for that luxury is steep.
Some ebikes can be unrestricted to go a little faster.
@@dtz1000 I can see that from some of the deliveroo/ubereats cyclists that zoom past on their electric bikes while I'm at 20 MPH, but I don't think that's at all legal
@ashley_neal you often combine a signal with acknowledgement to the driver. Look over your shoulder, then reset your position and if safe then signal by extend your arm 90 degrees to your body and keep your fingers extended. I find adjusting my weight onto my seat and less on my handlebars helps with stability. You should look like you're about the 'clothesline' someone ;) It should be bold, not half arsed like your doing. It wouldn't bother me but your lowing the standard as others will follow your example. If you really feel the need to give acknowledge a driver letting you out then do a little Indian chief signal after you've manoeuvred. I'm 42 and have been a cyclist my whole life including a decade of commuting on my push bike.
Great video! I'm glad to have been introduced to this bike company - as you said, these would be ideal for delivery riders. I'm very tempted by their cargo model!
Think the idea of encouraging cycling was to cut short journeys in cars if possible.
Enjoyed the video! Some points I wanted to bring up.
I think your arm signals are a little short, I always thrust my full arm out so it can’t be mistaken for scratching my nose and such.
The main reason for filtering (for me) other than gridlocked traffic is to get through green lights first phase, which is more applicable if you know the area!
Please get some gloves! Other than your hands must be freezing, they’ll. aid massively in preventing scrapes and other such injuries (devolving (nfsfw))if you happen to have an accident.
I would never stop alongside a vehicle tbh. This includes when using an ASL too. Too much risk of the driver brushing past as they accelerate away if it’s a tight space, and I think it also presents a visibility issue. I always stop directly in front, or directly behind to guarantee I can be seen.
I think it would be interesting to see you try out a cargobike, if you could ever get one sent in or rented. Would make an interesting video I think.
Pre-2016 ebikes that came with a throttle from the factory can still be used with throttle, all the way to 15.5mph
If you’re keeping the bike Ashley you can easily switch round the brakes (just swap the cables) but look up some videos as there are some precautions you need to take. I did this with an eBike I bought last year
More powerful E bikes should be allowed as long as you have taken a CBT course.
Take the CBT and once you pass you get a license for that class of vehicle.
As someone who started driving at 17, some 5 year ago and immediately ditched the pedal bike, this video was wildly nostalgic. Makes me wanna take up pedals again ( maybe with the added electrical motor)
Since I got my e-bike I go out of my way to find reasons to go out for a ride. It really whips away a lot of the barriers.
E-bikes are so fun. Very agile as well. The difference filtering makes to being able to commute is basically a dirty secret for anything under 5 miles.
The electric setting is also good for anyone like me who's not got the best lungs.
You're 22.. " wildly nostalgic"? I get it but relax, kid. That was like yesterday for you. 😂
The throttle is for walk assist not pedal assist. It helps you if you need to walk the bike home.
Nice bike to be given :) I have a "pro rider" folding bike I bought in 2014 and it's allowed to go at 15.5mph on throttle. They changed the law in 2017 I think so now you can only buy with a walk assist on throttle. My old bike is over 20k miles now and on its 3rd battery . Thanks for posting
that was a brilliant video. thanks. i wish all cyclists could ride in this manner. then our roads would be a better and safer place. i always give cyclists a good gap when i overtake them. and wait if there's no way to maneuver. i respect others on the roads, i think it also makes you feel good about yourself and how you drive/ ride. 😀
Thank you for respecting cyclists and being patient. Sometimes cyclists intentionally break the law. But something we just make mistakes - when the roads are generally designed with cars in mind, it's hard to always make good decisions when on a push bike.
Dropped a stone since Christmas! Congratulations.
I have always known front brake on the left... can't think of a time I have seen the opposite, at least on a push bike! :)
You're an incredibly positive influence, I've learned so much from you 👍 please keep doing what you're doing
The Eurovision final will be hosted in Liverpool this year, any comments on the matter??!?!?
Nil points
Is there a bell? Probably not going to get 60 mile range. 30 maybe 40 if your careful and use low to mid settings.
I get 25 miles on my ebike with a slightly smaller battery, so you are not wrong. 30 miles is my guess for this ebike.
Pity the bike journey didn’t include the hills we here in Wales and those in the Highlands have commute along but very impressed with your review. Health and terrain issues are two features that prevent many for abandoning the fume emitting car as I’m sure you will appreciate. Many thanks.
In Wales and COPD and a injured knee won't stop me cycling. Given that cycling removes body weight making it easier on the knee and good gear ratio and lightweight bike make hill climbing easier. Cycling also aids better controlled breathing, helps alleviate copd. 40 miles on a bike is a cinch with practice.
had an early E-bike only problem was car drivers not being able to estimate my speed and would cut in front of me
I'd be really interested to hear your views and expert opinion on Speed Pedelecs like the Stromer range (L1e category, 28mph max).
They're illegal in the UK unless you have a licence plate, tax and insure it plus you need a driving licence so not really viable for most people on a typical commute. Not that it stops the couriers though
We need an easier way to get these registered and made more accessible.
With the available battery power I would have expected that indicators could be easily fitted particularly as there are many drivers out there that have little experience of hand signals and some handsignals that are given are almost apologetic. There is no longer a requirement to be able to give hand signals in vehicles and on motorbikes so why not add them to e-bikes?
Thing is, that bicycle is way too heavy and powerful to be safe on a shared cycle/pedestrian path. Hit someone with that at full speed and they'll be in a wheelchair for the rest of their lives.
When the average person weighs 70kg, the difference between a 10kg carbon fibre lightweight racing bike and a 25kg stinking great electric mountain bike is negligible - if you’re going fast enough to put them in a wheelchair, you’re putting them in a wheelchair regardless of the bike. Those lightweight racing bikes aren’t speed limited now are they? Like the electric bikes are… 🤔
How about hitting someone with a 2 ton car?
People walking and cycling probably shouldn't be mixed then - there's a reason why the Netherlands avoids it as much as possible.
The kinetic energy of this bike with an 80 kg rider at 15.5 mph is comparable with the same rider on a 10 kg bike (e.g. a road bike) doing 18 mph, so I wouldn't consider the e-bike riskier.
@@PippetWhippet they aren't speed limited
I personally never go up the inside of a car/bus/lorry as they will only have to overtake me again, and the fact I don't think I'm brave enough!
I travel 3 miles on my commute to college (on a normal pedal bike) up and down several hills, so I would quite fancy a bike like that!!!
The thing that really annoys me is when cars park in the cycle lane because I then have to go around them.
I noticed the only drivers who caused you any bother just happened to be Taxi/Private hire cars....
I very informative video 👍
@@cycloactive5858 Yes I guess it depends on how heavy the traffic is, the traffic isn't very heavy on my way to and from college, it's easier to go with the traffic than squeeze past them
@@picklestheswift Sounds sensible in your case.
I really enjoyed this video! I'm looking to buy a bike in the near future so these videos help massively to understand what to do in different situations.
Ebikes are fun and practical. One advantage is you can wear normal clothes if want to. As need the best kit to pass all the sweat on hills. With eeebs you just make more use of assist then and do not sweat. This one seems a nice useable bike. I would swap the levers over though, it would scare me that I might grab the front brake hard in an emergency without thinking. Should be easier with the cable brakes.
Great video Ashley. I noticed a lot of the times at lights motorists kept back apart from the taxi. Was starting to think your backup had a sign saying “I am Ashley”. Either that or they watch your uploads!
A couple of tips. Get some gloves/mits. Not only will you be grateful if you have an off. It also means that your hands don’t get numb which makes braking and gear changing less of a challenge.
You also need to work on your hand signals and give a strong authoritative signal with a straight arm. This will clearly show intention. Also when you move off into traffic ( after your blurb on cameras) and when waiting on the slip road. The signal will not just highlight your presence through the movement it will also show that when you move out you my move into lane 2 or take a stronger lane position when you move off. I would also do this when waiting at a junction as the movement will draw attention to your presence and intentions even though I had signalled earlier.
If thanking I would either wave above my head or give a wave as they start to pass. A thumbs up after they pass would also do.
Again keep it up. I’m really enjoying your vt’s of being out on a bike.
I find the large space you leave behind the vehicle in front or to the stop line interesting, or perhaps it's the distortion of the camera making it look bigger?
It does make it look bigger. I leave about a car length 👍
Don't be fooled You can only have a throttle on a bike up to 3.7 mph. These twist and go throttles are designed to help people who have difficulty starting due to injury or disability. Throttles beyond this speed are not legal, pedal assist must be used from that point.
This is wrong. In the UK, you can have a throttle EPAC as long as it's limited to 15.5mph and 250W.
Have a search for: "Electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs) in Great Britain: information sheet"
When I saw your signal to turn at the start of the video I have to admit I thoght you were waving to someone.
I was always taught hand straight out with the back of your hand directly facing those behind you.
Obviously as you point out so often in your other videos, your position says an awful lot about your intentions and your positioning is harder to see here, but I imagine it's doing more than the wibbly wobbly hand wave.
Last we I rode with my brother who was on his e-bike, while I am on my road bike. If I was riding with you Ashley, I would be waiting for you in all but the steepest of hills, where the e-bike would show it's advantage. That's what happened with my brother. The proper use for the throttle is for walking assist, for an heavy bike. Any very fast throttle only capable e-bikes are probably an illegal self built or adapted e-bike. It would take a 500w or 1000w motor and extra big battery. A lot of food delivery riders in London tend to use 'illegal e-bikes which can go very fast on throttle only and no pedal input. They use them instead of mopeds or scooters to avoid business insurance.
I spotted a lot of illegal new e bikes on ebay and Amazon (marketplace) when I was looking to buy one , going by the stated power of the motors.
I use it if cycling to work, I don't get as sweaty as on my normal bike (hills on the way).
The solution is to buy a legal ebike and unrestrict it. A few extra mph on pedal assist isn't going to cause any problems.
They are no less uninsured than they would be if they had a moped with no business insurance - because what they are actually riding is a motorbike, which not only has no insurance, but also no vehicle licence - and they probably have no license to ride it either.
The overtake at 33:34, sure it probably wasn't all that necessary but presuming both lanes there are the width of a vehicle there's plenty of space, and they did overtake you going fully into the other lane and then stuck to merging in gently when they were well past you.
They also probably didn't expect you to be doing 20mph when they were overtaking. The vast majority of bicycles aren't going to accelerate anything like that fast.
I'd love to see you go back over this in its entirely and look at it critically picking up potential learning points for yourself and cyclists generally (especially those riding e-bikes).
Do you think it good practice to overtake to stop at a set of red lights in front, and then go on to restrict the ASL?
I'm afraid I would have played 'leap-frog' with that driver and filtered right past up to the ASL at the next lights. It's probably a lot easier stopping and starting on an e-bike, but on a regular bike, especially when loaded up with shopping, I would keep going as it was safe to do so.
I could be completely wrong, but as a full A1 license holder for motorcycle all I require is the electric bike has the appropriate certification for the UK and I'm off.... if... if I can insure it.
The REAL danger is that the restrictions on young learners states a maximum horsepower/kilowatt output. For a petrol engine which has a torque curve that looks like a mountain this is fine, the bike is rarely ever producing it's maximum output. However, if you take a 14.8bhp electric motor drive train, it will produce 14.8bhp from a stand still all the way up to 90mph in some cases. Yet it's legal for a 16yo with a CBT to own and ride one on the road.
Many (all in my experience) e-bikes turn on with the pedal assist on. I, and others have been caught out when getting on and moving the pedal before seated properly. The bike shoots forward, very dangerous and injuries resulted! For a city/commuting/shopping e-bike the throttle is essential. To the degree that i and all other regular users disabled the peddle trigger. And an easily removable battery, else say good bye to the bike.
Just found you, have a Himiway Cruiser myself and absolutely hate the main roads...wish drivers here in Bromley, Kent were as good as those shown on your video...hopefully, more will get the idea of changes and be a little more courteous too. Great instructional video on how to be safer on the roads. Hope to see many more videos like this from you, well informative, great instructional video, very well put together. Thank you. ATB buddy, Steve
Police either don't care or have no idea. Every delivery on ebikes is 1000/1500W motor and no pedaling. They're 99% illegal motorbikes but everyone wants an UberEats.
Depends on the age of the eBike…
There was a period when pure throttle response was legal, and those rights are grandfathered. The 6kph is described as a “walking” aid, but it does also help, as you pointed out, getting going from a total standstill.
The brakes are set for LHD countries, though plenty argue that it’s the better way round - you can indicate right and brake well (since the front brake does all the useful braking).
I converted my bike to an ebike and it has a full speed throttle (15mph). I did this before the new throttle rules came in so I think I'm ok. However, proving this to a jobs worth copper may be tricky.
Also, throttles are permitted up to the full 15.5 mph for disabled riders.
Would like to see you navigate more busy roundabouts where you're wanting to go round to the 3rd exit and drivers are going straight on, it means cutting across their path which can be very interesting.
I'm currently on a campervan touring holiday and riding my ebike around the suburbs of cassablanca morocco which quite an experience, for instance you get taxis overtaking you and immediately stopping in front of you to pick up or drop off, when they pull away they just go even if you're alongside, best to just give them space to pull away!
There's horse drawn or donkey drawn carts full of fruit or vegetables where you've got to move out into a stream of traffic to overtake them.
Saying all that even though it seems to be chaos and everyone for themselves they all manage to avoid hitting each other and drivers seem quite tolerant and will give way to cycles most of the time, they seem to take a pride n how they drive.
Good video again thanks
a trip to Sheffield to navigate the 'Dan Walker' roundabout? Better take a full-face helmet!
When I checked the law on e-bikes, because my wife's bike can be throttled up to 15 mph, I found that anything made/sold prior to 2015 did not fall under the new legislation that prohibits the use of a throttle for riding up to the 15 mph limit. So there are exceptions.
and anything after 2016, if it is type approved and limited to 250W / 15.5mph can also have a throttle and legally be considered an EAPC:
From the MSVA inspection manual:
250W LPM
250-Watt Low Powered Moped. This is a sub-group of Low Powered Moped that meets the criteria laid down in the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 (SI 1983 No. 1168) as amended by SI 2015 No. 24. The requirements are that the vehicle:
• Be fitted with pedals by means of which it is capable of being propelled.
• Be fitted with no motor other than an electric motor, which has a maximum continuous rated power, which does not exceed 250 watts and cannot propel the vehicle when it is travelling at more than 15.5 mph. (Note: the official speed is 25 km/h, MSVA will accept declarations up to and including 16 mph as per low powered mopeds).
These vehicles will be required to meet the standards applied to Low Powered Mopeds except where specified.
@@shm5547 I assume, the standards for LPM's are different in some respects, as the legislative piece I read pertained to 'e-bikes' (in their generic form).
@@michaelsowerby8198 There are some additional requirements, such as having lights fixed to the bike. However, they are considered to be an e-bike, just like e-bikes with no throttle. You just need to bear in mind that this exception is specific to Great Britain. If you went to Northern Ireland, or the EU, then your e-bike might not conform to the local law.
In switzerland and germany its allowed at low speed to start moving special for older people i guess. otherwise its a different kind of vehicle and you maybe need a numberplate or some other rules if its faster.
There is one problem with heavy electric bikes. When you have to heft them such as going up some stairs they are just impossible. You have to know your route and be sure that there is no place you have to push them or pick them up.
I live in very rural Canada and ride my himiway cruiser like an outlaw. I often ride at a solid 40 kph with full throttle and have blasted down hills at 60. Hand signals? Never heard of em. Living in a highly regulated environment like this is my worst nightmare.
A good demonstration of how to ride a bicycle on the road in traffic; always looking at what's around, and being aware of when to make a move - or holding back and not.
Something I've noticed as a cyclist and motorist, is how few cyclists constantly check over their shoulders - and are seemingly oblivious to what is behind them.
incidentally, I'm guessing you are about 2 inches to low on your saddle height. Long time cyclist here.................
We in the UK (and a few other places) are kind of the ones who have the leavers the wrong way around. Its (probably) because in the early days of cycling bikes only had one brake on the rear, in the UK we preferred the "coaster brake" which requires no leaver, the French (who supplied/where copied by the rest of Europe) preferred a caliper which does, when it came to adding a front brake we put it on the right because most people are right handed, but the French had already used that logic for the rear brake so had to put it on the left.
As a motorcyclists I got used to the front brake on the left.
@@Hiram8866 But the front brake is on the right on motorbikes (clutch on the left)??. American cyclists that swap the brakes around to the UK way actually call it Moto-Style, and 90% of the time the reason they do it is because they ride a motorcycle as well.
As for the bike itself... £1500 for a bicycle? No wonder so many people are making their own versions for cheap..
Ashley, do you think the 15.5mph limit for ebikes is correct or should it be higher?
Would it be safer if the law was changed that when you're on the road you could go faster and what speed would be safe?
Personally I think 20mph would reduce the need to overtake a cyclist. 👍
Just heard to say it weighs 40kg...then it requires a licence and insurance...max weight would be 33kg
That's not true
@@dtz1000 if you looked it up you would find it was
@@ricksanchez3628 I did look it up. That's how I know it's not true.
40kg?! I'm not surprised the brakes wouldn't work very well on that bike. Going down a large hill on that would be dangerous the brakes would end up melting
Steep Hill starts would be impossible without a throttle. Looks a good bike. I built my own hub drive bike - can go up the steepest hills, even without pedalling .
Legal assist with throttles is 3.7mph which is around the same as my average walking pace. So why does the Govt want to increase this to 15.5mph?
I suspect that they will increase the throttle based speed say to 10mph/16km that would be fast enough without peddling in cycle lanes or shared paths with pedestrians. Especially helping those with mobility issues.
Thats how you know its an American market ebike the break levers they have round the other way from us its weird just like their road's haha! Throttle assist here for the 3.6mph is for mobility issue's from what i read on the UK ebike law site but think you need permission to have it fitted or will be impounded like what their doing in Germany just now, ebike polce checking them over for de restricted and Throttle but bet their ebikes are de restricted eh!
Isn't it 250 watt motor with a maximum of 15 miles per hour before you need insurance? I wanted to buy a 500 watt motor to deal with the hills in west Yorkshire but I believe they are illegal without insurance. It seems a strange policy for a Country that is insisting on ULEZ and green city zones that they don't encourage more power assisted bike use. Safety should always be paramount. I can understand why they have banned electric scooters. But all you have to do is give us the torque for hills and restrict to 15 mph. Crazy. Thank you for the video Ashley.
Funny on how in the video titled 'are throttles legal' the (potentially) illegal part is the swapped brake levers!
The Pedal Bicycles (Safety) Regulations 2010 Section 4 require the right brake lever to operate the front brake and the left brake lever to operate the rear.
Couple of caveats - if the maximum saddle height is less than 635mm, and whether or not it is supplied fully assembled!
Worst problem with this bike - has no torque sensor.
More sophisticated bikes has a torque sensor - harder You pedal - more You get from motor (within legal limits)
It can save battery, and give a better feel of bike.
Anyway, nice to see this e-bike rewiew in UK, and just to wanna see it at more hilly terrain (I'm living at edge of Peak District)
Extra: No different Road Craft on a cycle…Ash? No way I’d take my ebike around the centre lanes of a large fast and busy roundabout. I know in theory you should be able to…but you’d be courting a nasty accident huh! Watch that thumbs up sign too…WE can see it clearly in camera, but to a driver especially in mirrors it could look like an angry fist gesture…I’d suggest a raised open palm as a more visible thank you/acknowledgement. BTW..I followed your route on google maps which was entertaining.
Thank you for your video .In my area we have to be careful. If we are lucky we get a GREEN bike light. If not it's best to go thru RED light when the cross walk signal is on. If not just use the cross walk to get thru a bad intersection. Oh yeah those painted bike lane areas are usually garbage! Get a mirror for additional safety. Thank you for the camera suggestion. Ride On!
Ashley Interesting video, I couldn't see you pedals so please can you advise whether on no the bike complies with Law RVLR regs 13,18 & 24?
40 kilograms!?! My Tenways 600Pro electric bike weighs less than half that.
Can you not adjust the lever of torque in these ebikes like on a bosch smart system? For like the take off we can change the level
Of torque it pushes out for when turning like that it taking off you and lower it or have it full power alot of tuning in the bosch system for this
I just can’t see the point of a 50kg electric bike! Surely you would get just as much of a kick up to 6mph on a lighter acoustic bike?
Ash how did you get on with moving the electric bike around when you weren’t riding it?
In England the rules are simple: 1. A limit of 250 Watts is the law. 2. Electrical assistance is only be alllowed up to 15mph, A throttle is probably okay as long as the assistance follows those rules. 🙂
The brake lever layout is covered by UK construction and use regulations. The front brake lever must be on the right. It's the manufacturer's responsibility and if there negate it then it's the retailer so Himiway should have addressed this. It is possible to be find or even have your bike confiscated by let's face it most police have no idea about bike / ebike regulations. There are so many delivery boys here in London using totally illegal bikes with 1000w engines and throttles able to propel you 28mph+
A throttle is legal in UK (at up to 15mph) if the ebike is a conversion. ie it is a standard (non-ebike) bike upgraded using a kit. I have 2 converted bikes using Bafang ebike kits. Both can be used at full speed with throttle or with just pedal assist.
If the bike comes from the factory as a ready to ride ebike then the throttle rule applies.
Not as good as my Rad Rhino6+ at £1100, with better specification, better customer service and accessories.
I'd love to ride a bike again! But where I live it's all national speed limit and dreadful unclassified back roads.
I don't understand why bicycle riders don't fit mirrors! Or why ebikes don't have indicators etc.
The bit about holding back while the car turns left, I don't care what the rules say, why on earth would you cycle into a vehicle's blind zone or into where many drivers just don't look? Don't ride into trouble because of the "I have right of way" attitude.
I don't get the phat bike thing (its just going to burn up your battery life) but it's nice to see ebikes getting cheaper.
It's not hard when you're relatively fit on a half decent bike to be doing 15 or 20 mph, to me, electric bikes make the most sense for cargo bikes where they're really heavy anyway.
32:44 "concern yourself with yourself and do the right things yourself take pride in what you do simple as that"
Easy for you to say! 😁