BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission has officially declared that Ouxi V8 fatbikes are considered an 'unauthorised' vehicle in the European Union. This means that anyone riding these vehicles is driving illegally and uninsured on the road. The China-made vehicles have risen in popularity in the Netherlands this year.
THE HAGUE, the Netherlands - In a large scale operation to halt the influx of fatbikes that do not meet the legal requirements of an e-bike or a moped, the Dutch authorities seized a total of 16,500 fatbikes. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate reports the fatbikes are in fact illegal mopeds and originate from several Chinese manufacturers.
THE HAGUE, The Netherlands - Approximately 3,500 fatbikes have been seized by the Dutch authorities due to not meeting the legal requirements of an e-bike, but that of a moped. This requires a different type approval. Fatbikes, in some cases tampered with, have become immensely popular amongst younger riders in the Netherlands prompting calls for more law enforcement in the market.
THE HAGUE, the Netherlands - Dutch authorities have imposed a €15,000 penalty on 9 'fat bikes' sellers. They all offered fatbikes which did not comply with the type approval regulations and were not street legal.
THE HAGUE, the Netherlands - 27 internet resellers have been warned by the Dutch transport authorities to stop offering their fatbikes. Research showed that they offer e-bikes that go faster than 25 km per hour and/or have a higher power than 250 watt without approval. Such e-bikes must have a type approval.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Over 200 people attended the workshop on technical requirements and road safety of personal mobility devices (PMD) this week. Organized by the European Commission, the workshop made clear that the current European regulations (L-category vehicles type approval and Machinery Directive) are insufficient and inappropriate to cover the variety of devices.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Stating that current legislation is creating 'legal bottlenecks' for the development of the light electric vehicle (LEV)-market, trade association LEVA-EU is calling on the industry to make sure their voices are heard when the European Commission holds a workshop on LEV legislation this month.
PARIS, France - The legalisation of e-scooters in France seems to be imminent with the creation of a new vehicle category in the French traffic code. The new so-called 'cyclomobiles légers' or light mopeds category was welcomed by the e-scooter industry. However, industry organisation LEVA-EU has warned for a big setback.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - From its start, LEVA-EU has argued long and hard for a review of Directive 168/2013 which has been carried out by TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) on behalf of the European Commission. Now the results have been published, LEVA-EU welcomes the conclusion that the Machinery Directive is not suitable for vehicles.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - In a joint statement CONEBI, CIE and ECF welcomed the recommendations made in the study on the e-bike and e-cargo bike sector. TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) carried out the study on behalf of the European Commission on the safety of Personal Mobility Devices (PMD).
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission's announcement to review Directive 168/2013 which regulates the type-approval for vehicles with two or more wheels has united the EU cycling advocacy associations CONEBI, CIE, European Cyclists' Federation (ECF).
GHENT, Belgium - The European Commission has initiated a review of Regulation 168/2013 which regulates the type approval for vehicles with two or more wheels. Since January 2017 all e-bikes, except those with assistance up to 25 km/h and a maximum continuous rated power of 250W, must comply with the European...
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The number of EU member states that allows an e-scooter on the roads is on the rise. With that, the availability of e-scooters with a saddle is also growing. "However, those vehicles are ticking time bombs since they are completely illegal if non type-approved," stated LEVA-EU this week, who is now calling on the European Commission to fill the legislative gaps.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - At an early February Symposium in Brussels titled: 'Symposium on Legal Status and Market Position of Speed Pedelecs' it appeared that there is rising pressure on the European Commission to include electric step-scooters in the type-approval.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - You can see them in more and more cities around Europe. And the numbers of docked and/or free-floating electric step-scooters on offer on the streets is growing like wildfire. As well as their use.
PARIS, France - From next September onwards, a new regulation will come into force in France which applies to the use of electric step-scooters.
Current EU Regulations on e-bikes offer a serious loophole. It makes it possible for companies to put over 250W and over 25 km/h e-MTBs on the market that skirt complicated and expensive type approval procedures. That's possible due to this exemption in the type-approval regulation wording: "vehicles primarily
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Recently an important step has been taken by the European Commission concerning the regulations for type-approved e-bikes.
A Dutch dealer recently clearly expressed the confusion that exists around the categorization of e-bikes in combination with type-approval regulations. The
BRUSSELS, Belgium - As of January 1, 2018, the 'old' type approval (EU Directive 2002/24) for speed pedelecs has expired. E-bikes of this category must now comply to the type approval based on the EU 168/2013 regulations. It likely results in inventories of unsold speed pedelecs with a 2002/24 type approval which have no license plate and are unregistered. For that inventory 'End of Series' provisions have been made.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - On January 1, 2018, the 'old' type approval for speed pedelecs expired. This results in the fact that EU Directive 2002/24
