Folding e-Bikes

RustyD · Guru

Folding e-Bikes

Chris61 · Senior Member

The wife has been looking at the Leitner Libelle, the step through version of the Tirol. It is not the cheapest, nor the dearest, but it does look like a bike.

www.leitner.com.au/leitner-electric-bike-folding-250w-step-through.html

I am interested in what others have to say, I don't recommend any as I really don't know what is best, although the Leitner is good value for money

Chris61 · Senior Member

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-- Edited by Chris61 on Friday 29th of September 2017 06:46:19 PM

RustyD · Guru

There is a comment on the Libelle somewhere in the forum that I read in answer to a previous general question about bikes on vans. Now I'm getting a bit more serious. Every day I look at my shortlist, a different bike floats to the top (or the bottom).

Hylife · Guru

Rusty D, looking at your avatar I can see you are already a rider and as such you should already know the laws about when and what you can ride.

Unfortunately, that info ( http://dillengerelectricbikes.com.au/blog/electric-bikes-and-the-law.html ) is not strictly correct.

There are limits to power outputs and speeds etc, BUT, any bi or tri cycle that can power itself and maintain any set speed, without requiring human power to maintain that speed, is deemed to be a motorcycle, and as such must be registered and you must have a motorcycle licence to ride it, on anything other than on private property.

The rules about power and speed etc were originally written with regard to 4 wheel mobility type scooters.

Greystone · Senior Member

Rather than buying a new expensive ebike, 3 years ago I modified my old Giant Cypress bike by installing a Bafang electric motor plus battery which I bought on eBay. It was easy to do and I still enjoy the bike during the warmer months riding around the hills in central Victoria.

Sharke · Senior Member

Changes in legislation

In May 2012, the Federal Government announced changes to the national vehicle safety standards in relation to power-assisted bicycles. The standards, detailed in the Australian Design Rules, have been changed to allow a power output of up to 250 watts, increased from 200 watts for pedalecs. However, powered speed remains restricted to 25km/h for these bicycles for safety reasonsiii. These new regulations in Australia reflect the standards set out by the European Union's Committee for Standardisationi.

These changes imply that any pedalec with a power output exceeding 250 watts in Australia will be classified as a motorbike, requiring registration and riders to hold a licencei. Currently, the Victoriaiv, ACTv, New South Walesvi, and Queenslandvii state governments have implemented these standards with other state and territory governments expected to followiii. Until the remaining governments implement these new rules, owners of e-bikes within those states or territory with a power output that exceeds 200 watts will not be able to ride their unregistered bikes on public roads.

The Federal Government has made these changes in correlation with the Austroads' National Cycling Strategy 2011-16, which aims to double the number of people riding bicycles by 2016iii. In March 2009, only 2% of people aged over 18 years cycled to work or full-time studyviii. This number is minimal considering that half of all Australian households had at least one working bicycle kept at their home in 2009, with two thirds of this number keeping two or more bicycles in working orderviii. The most common reason reported for not cycling to work or full-time study by people of every age group was that the distance was too far, with 45% stating thisviii.

With the introduction of these new standards, the market for electric bikes is expected to open up with more options available to Australia. This includes the huge range of e-bikes that are currently offered in Europei. These bikes, which were formerly only available online through foreign exporters or at niche custom-design bike stores, are expected to become more commoni.

Cheers

Sharke

Sharke · Senior Member

Changes in legislation

In May 2012, the Federal Government announced changes to the national vehicle safety standards in relation to power-assisted bicycles. The standards, detailed in the Australian Design Rules, have been changed to allow a power output of up to 250 watts, increased from 200 watts for pedalecs. However, powered speed remains restricted to 25km/h for these bicycles for safety reasonsiii. These new regulations in Australia reflect the standards set out by the European Union's Committee for Standardisationi.

These changes imply that any pedalec with a power output exceeding 250 watts in Australia will be classified as a motorbike, requiring registration and riders to hold a licencei. Currently, the Victoriaiv, ACTv, New South Walesvi, and Queenslandvii state governments have implemented these standards with other state and territory governments expected to followiii. Until the remaining governments implement these new rules, owners of e-bikes within those states or territory with a power output that exceeds 200 watts will not be able to ride their unregistered bikes on public roads.

The Federal Government has made these changes in correlation with the Austroads' National Cycling Strategy 2011-16, which aims to double the number of people riding bicycles by 2016iii. In March 2009, only 2% of people aged over 18 years cycled to work or full-time studyviii. This number is minimal considering that half of all Australian households had at least one working bicycle kept at their home in 2009, with two thirds of this number keeping two or more bicycles in working orderviii. The most common reason reported for not cycling to work or full-time study by people of every age group was that the distance was too far, with 45% stating thisviii.

With the introduction of these new standards, the market for electric bikes is expected to open up with more options available to Australia. This includes the huge range of e-bikes that are currently offered in Europei. These bikes, which were formerly only available online through foreign exporters or at niche custom-design bike stores, are expected to become more commoni.

Cheers

Sharke

PeterD · Guru

Sharke, from the reference numbers you left in that text it looks like you copied and pasted from a web site. Please give us a URL that will lead us to the same document.