Anyone who buys an e-bike, also known as an electric bicycle, will be able to pedal lightly but still cycle quickly thanks to pedal assistance. But what do you know about e-bikes? What rules apply to riders of e-bikes? And what should you take into account as a car driver?
We’ll tell you everything about the e-bike.
A major advantage of the e-bike is that you need less effort to move forward. You stay active but cycle easier and faster.
Additionally:
- E-bikes are environmentally friendly
- Better for older adults
- Risk of injury is higher due to weight and speed
- Unclear if e-bikes cause more accidents
Legally, an e-bike is considered a regular bike if:
- Pedal assistance is max 25 km/h
- The rider must pedal to activate assistance
- Motor power is max 250 watts
- Must use bicycle path traffic signs where available.
Other road users may misjudge your speed, so caution is needed, especially when it comes to right of way rules at intersections.
E-bikes are popular among all age groups. Keep in mind:
- Modified/tuned e-bikes can exceed legal speeds
- Drivers may misjudge cyclists going 40 km/h
- Tuning is not allowed for road use
- Be alert as both a cyclist and driver.
Rotation Sensor E-Bikes
- Starts after one pedal rotation
- Always provides assistance
- More battery consumption
- Cheaper
Torque Sensor E-Bikes
- Responds to pedal force
- Assistance adjusts to effort
- Requires more calibration
- More natural riding experience
Some bikes use Dual Sensor Technology (DST) combining both.
| Feature |
E-Bike |
Speed Pedelec |
| Max Speed |
25 km/h |
45 km/h |
| License Required |
No |
Yes (AM or B license) |
| Helmet Requirement |
No |
Yes |
| License Plate |
No |
Yes (yellow plate) |
| Road Type |
Bicycle paths |
Road (like mopeds) |