Are UK & EU E-bikes Too Slow? | 25kph Vs 32kph Limiter Comparison!

Are UK & EU E-bikes being limited too much by the law? Will De-restricing help or hinder the EMTB industry? Join Steve Jones as he conducts a series of tests & challenges to see how much difference riding a 32kph EMTB can make compared to the restricted 25kph UK & EU models!

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[sfryer]

32km/h (20 mph) would align with the speed limit in a lot of urban areas and make e-bikes an even better option as they wouldn't be slowing cars travelling at the legal speed limit and would avoid risky urban overtaking for the sake of 4.5 mph.

[ste_t]

The problem is that on many mtb trails with man made features (jumps), quite often when trying to maintain the flow of the trail you are restricted by the 15mph limiter where on a non ebike you can actually accelerate easier to clear features as they were designed. Ive been on many trails in the UK which are relatively flat and cleared table tops or doubles on a normal mtb but struggled to get the correct speed on my ebike as it requires me to go over the limiter. I had a 2019 kenevo and i derestricted it but only to the US spec and it was so much better when hitting the trails i mentioned. I never try and max out uphill. for me its about maintaining trail speed in the same way a non ebike can / does.

[billderas]

One oversight about the 25 kph/15 mph speed limitation in the UK is that it can be too limiting for those that ride on paved roads to get to trails. Riding slow in vehicular traffic can be dangerous...

[oliverw]

Hi guys, I’m in NZ and currently there is no limit, which is surprising considering the nanny state we live in. My first ebike was limited to 32kph, but I now have a Hikobike ebike and it maxes out at 45kph! I don’t hit that speed to often but is a lot of fun when I do lol. I can’t imagine being restricted to 25kph. BTW, love your channel 😊. Cheers from NZ.

[steelframe]

I love my US spec Ebike, used mostly on paved roads and some gravel. I notice the unpowered riders seem to make a point of passing me with gusto. Even before I got old I noticed that big legs and skinny tires will always outrun skinny legs and fat tires. It's not a race, but I do like the assist on the hills. My average speeds are always about 15 MPH and my rides are generally <2hrs. If it wasn't for the Ebike I would probably be riding the couch at 0 MPH. I love it. . .and I love watching others (like you) twitch down the trails at suicidal speeds, I know I'll never be another Killian Bron at 73, but it's great to be out and about!

[benny]

The look of joy on his face on the Giant bike betrays the fact that the UK limit is too slow.

[chillout]

We are asking for higher speeds for use on flats and for commuting. I don't want my commute to be limited to a road bike. It's actually unsuitable, in my case anyway. A road bike is for flat roads. It's designed to go very fast on flat roads. That's all it can do. For practical reasons, I routinely take short-cuts when I'm commuting to and from work. Off the beaten track, so to speak - no pun intended. I also like visiting new places and sightseeing on weekends and on my free days. And I also hit the trails on that same bike. It is easy to do the kind of riding I do with an eMTB, not a road bike. I don't want to own two bikes - one for the road, and one for the tracks and trails. I want one bike. I have one bike. Right now, Stevens E-Inception is my primary bike at the moment (I also have an analogue Trek Fuel EX). The Stevens is comfortable on the rutty and potholed roads that I commute on due to its dual suspension. I'm not risking my spine on a road bike on such roads. As such, I need the speed for when I'm forced to get on the main road for parts of my journey where there are no cycle tracks or off-road tracks. 15mph with cars whizzing by you at 30-40mph is not fun. It's dangerous (even with the new, improved Highway Code rules that have just come into force).

[michaelfasher]

Yes I live in New Zealand and I commute on an ebike with a 45 km/h or 28 mph. The higher limiter compared to other bikes with a 32 km/h(20 mph) makes a difference in average speed, I cruise along at 41-43 km/h and my average speed is between 32 to 36 km/h.

[johnking]

I commute 10miles in the uk riding a grail on, I spend most of the time above the assisted limit, it does flatten the hills though. I can ride my unassisted Kona faster but the recovery time once I get to work is substantially longer...the limit needs raising.

[PsychicDavidJames]

I ride in rural New York State, and 20 mph is just far too slow to be safe in traffic, the speed limit in the UK is just ridiculously slow and is a danger to both the cyclist and the motorist.

[thecremeegg]

I've set mine to the US limit as 25kph is right on my cadence limit on the road, meaning the motor cuts in and out. Now I can do 32kph and it's fine.

[Todd]

I have a DIY ebike. If I give it a good pedal in level 9 PAS, I can hit 37mph. Stock motor and controller, but the software is “adjusted”. My bike is heavy, but for urban riding, it’s a blast to ride. 🇺🇸

[Kyokushin]

25km/h limit is simply pity. There is no limit needed at all, only regulation to limit speed for 20 or 30 kph by road singn, in same way as its done on road for cars. 25km/h is speed of dogs wandering around the streets, not for travelling humans. 45km/h is safe for riding a bicycle on road and 32 is safe for cycle lanes.

[ofpxgge]

Love the smile on Steve's face, pure enjoyment in riding :)

[CeleonA]

My question is, has there been or is there any current effort to propose a change of laws regarding the speed limit for license free e-bikes in Europe ? Like raising it to 30 or 32 kph within the EU or the UK ? Was this ever proposed by someone at all or is this considered a futile undertaking ?

[stoyanoo]

In Bulgaria we put bafang and drive with 50km/h on the streets.

[rtate]

Love this vid! I live in the US and always wondered how big a difference there would be. Cant wait til the trail video!💪✌

[nickclarkuk]

The government is trying to get us to be greener by cycling instead of using cars but at 15mph max I’ll stick with the car / motorbike . 🤷‍♂️

[markosborne]

I like to ride my eMTB to the trails and back and the 20mph US limit is about right as I tend to cruise around 16mph. 15mph would suck as the motor would be cutting in and out all the time. On the trails I'm generally slower than the unpowered MTBs!

[tommontgomery]

My USA YT Decoy 29er hits 18mph and quits, but I rarely get there offroad ...Changing subjects...When I was motocrossing my CZ400 50 years ago we put a visor on our helmets to keep the sun and mud out of our eyes. It looks like Steve uses his visor as an air brake.