Not a pedelec?

[ChrisF]

Just seen this outside my local supermarket. https://youtube.com/shorts/3C8O8Z4osgU

[LittleGreyCat]

Just seen this outside my local supermarket. https://youtube.com/shorts/3C8O8Z4osgU

It would be helpful if the video wasn't private.

[ChrisF]

Oops! Don't know what went wrong there. Try this link https://youtube.com/shorts/EBUBAQKq4O4?feature=share

[PT1029]

As the rear wheel seems to manage to go round while parked (watch the spoke reflector), I'd say the owner left the power on when it was parked, I would say it was not legal.
I have seen illegal bikes where the rider "ghost pedals" (turn the pedals to trigger the pedalling sensor, but not pushing as such) to get the electrics to work.
Looking at the video perhaps this bike has a ghost rider?

One of the delivery riders I see in town has no chain fitted, another still has the chain, but the rear gear is bent out at approx 45 degrees.

[bikes4two]

I have seen illegal bikes where the rider "ghost pedals" (turn the pedals to trigger the pedalling sensor, but not pushing as such) to get the electrics to work.

What's illegal about that?

You are describing what is the normal, legal pedelec action that a cadence sensing system employs.

As long as the pedals being turned trigger the motor operating, then that is entirely legal.

[PT1029]

Yes, I see your point, legal. Though usually ridden at well over 15mph (about my around town speed, and they shoot past me), which makes them not legal of course.

[stodd]

Yes, I see your point, legal. Though usually ridden at well over 15mph (about my around town speed, and they shoot past me), which makes them not legal of course.

I suspect that most that shoot past you aren't even being ghost pedalled but just running on throttle.
(OK, technically not a throttle as some purists point out, but its what's called a throttle on ebikes nowadays)
Whatever, clearly illegal as you say.

[ChrisF]

I wasn't wondering if it was legal or not when I posted the video - I just thought it was quite a fun thing which others might like to see....

[Vantage]

Throttles are legal on converted ebikes.

[Cadence]

Throttles are legal on converted ebikes.

Try telling the police that!
In any case, you can have a throttle that works without pedalling up to 6km/h. It can still be operable above that speed, but only when turning the pedals. Stop turning the pedals and it will only work when you slow down to below 6km/h again. This is a very useful feature of KT (Kuenteng) controllers and I have two bikes so fitted. They are restricted to the legal speed limit and have genuine 250w. continuous-rated motors, so are compliant in all respects. If a plod wants to test the throttle by lifting the back wheel it will only do 6km/h (same as a "walk assist" button), but I suspect the finer points of the legislation will be lost on most of them. (That's not to excuse the ridiculous over powered contraptions I see that are the favourite chariots of pizza and drug deliverers, where the pedals are for decoration only - if present at all!).

[Vantage]

I've been doing some research on this funnily enough as I was suspicious of the pedelecs.com forum staying they had a letter from the dft stating that throttles were perfectly legal on converted ebikes. It turns out is isn't quite that simple.
I have found out that a throttle on its own is legal up to 4mph.
It is also legal up to 15.5mph, or with the 10% tolerance which we can legally use, 17mph. But, only if it works whilst the pedals are being turned and must only activate after they have been turned, not before. It also cannot function once the pedals have stopped turning.

[Cowsham]

Oops! Don't know what went wrong there. Try this link https://youtube.com/shorts/EBUBAQKq4O4?feature=share