Bicycles

Illegal ebike owners beware: Mobile test stations are rolling out

The roadside equipment is used to check when ebike motor assistance stops, which should be 25 km/h in the Netherlands
Politie
The roadside equipment is used to check when ebike motor assistance stops, which should be 25 km/h in the Netherlands
Politie

Police in the Netherlands are taking action against those who choose to ride illegally powerful ebikes, after seeing record numbers of cycling fatalities in 2022. Roadside testing stations have now been rolled out across the country.

Where ebike riders in the US can hop on powerful ebikes capable of providing assistance up to 28 mph (45 km/h), only a few areas in Europe allow such speeds – and even then, the so-called speed pedelecs may need to be insured and registered, and the helmet-wearing cyclist could require a moped license.

For everyone else, the pedal-assist speed limit is 25 km/h and motor power is capped at 250 watts. Dutch police have noticed a rise in traffic accidents involving cyclists of late – with fatalities reaching a record high in 2022 – and that such figures more or less tally with the increase in the number of ebikes and speed pedelecs in the wild.

New cycling technology requires new policing methods, which is why brand new roller test stations have been deployed throughout the region as a deterrent. The equipment can be set up at roadsides, and is used to determine the speed at which motor support ceases.

An ebike is plonked atop the platform and secured in place using straps. An officer then jumps aboard and starts pumping away until the motor cuts out. If a regular ebike's motor doesn't stop at 25 km/h, or a speed pedelec (including a boosted fatbike) at 45 km/h, then the owner is issued with a €290 penalty (about US$310). Multiple violations risk confiscation and destruction of the illegal ride.

The 247 roller test stations also have a setting for roadside testing of maximum speeds for mopeds, light mopeds and scooters.

Source: Politie

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5 comments
ReservoirPup
A high tech law enforcement in action!
dave be
Next up .. wireless keyfob that dials down the power on demand, as in the VW test software strategy.
Paul Anderson
So why do the Dutch assume a rise in cycling fatalities is caused by an increase in “illegal” e-bikes? No evidence offered, nor could there be. Bad behaviour, in command of any transport mode, is to be sanctioned. To obsess about small increments of motor power, rather than behaviour, begs the proposition: Motor vehicles should be limited to ten horsepower, twenty five for high performance vehicles. Speeds should be limited to under 110 km/hr. I could go on…
Aross
The trouble with all these laws is that the offender is not inconvenienced by the fines. When people flout these laws the punishment should be more severe. Immediate loss of the vehicle, loss of the privilege (license) to drive the vehicle and a fine equal to a percentage of gross income. Subsequent infractions should be incrementally higher and include jail time or hard community service.
Daishi
The EU has become such a nanny state. If the person on the ebike isn't speeding maybe leave them alone? By this logic the person on the ebike should get in the police car, see if it is capable of exceeding the posted speed limit, and then ticket the police officer for driving a vehicle capable of exceeding posted speed limits even if they weren't speeding. Considering ebikes achieve about 1000 MPGe maybe they should be trying to foster innovation and adoption in this space instead of issuing out thoughtcrime speeding tickets with a dyno. I regularly drive an unrestricted ebike on a bike trail. I always use the lowest assist setting on the trail, go the speed limit, and have a motorcycle license. Leave me alone.