E-Bike: serious fines for those who rig, sell or produce

A thousand euro fine for those who produce, sell or tamper with pedal-assisted bicycles and even more for those who drive them.

Clearer, harsher and more applicable sanctions are coming to those who rig e-bikes by removing the speed limiter or to be able to use them as if they were scooters.

The innovations are contained in four amendments to article 50 of the Highway Code, which regulates bicycles: we begin to punish those who ensure that bikes that do not comply with the law can be purchased on the market: the electric motor, in fact, must not exceed 0.25 kiloWatt, power that decreases as the speed increases until it reaches zero when 25 km/h is reached.

The Legislative Decree establishes that: “anyone who manufactures, produces, markets or sells pedal-assisted bicycles which develop a speed higher than that provided for in paragraph 1 is subject to the administrative sanction of paying a sum ranging from 1,084 euros to 4,339 euros. Anyone who makes modifications to pedal-assisted bicycles that are suitable for increasing the maximum continuous rated power of the auxiliary electric motor or the speed beyond the limits set by paragraph 1 is subject to a fine ranging from 845 euros to 3,382 euros.”.

This involves manufacturers, assemblers, wholesalers, retailers and mechanics who try to tamper with the engine.

The cyclist, however, is involved in a further modification of article 50 which makes it clear that a souped-up e-bike must be considered as a moped and that, therefore, it must be registered, insured and the driver must wear a helmet.

Simply put, by adding the sanctions provided for by articles 97, 171 and 193, the cyclist risks thousands of euros.

There is also news for the riders: until now they have been forced to carry the large cooler bags with which they carry their meals over their shoulders.

Now "cycles used for the transport of goods must have an approximately flat and horizontal loading surface, open or closed, corresponding to the following criterion: length of the loading surface × width of the loading surface ≥ 0.3 × length of the vehicle × maximum width of the vehicle”, the engine power and speed limitation remain unchanged.