Discussion
Satsuma said:
hello there.
am considering a velosolex. what are the regs around these in the uk are they the same as a motorbike? does it need licence plates m.o.t. and insurance? or is it a pushbike?!
As far as I'm aware, they are considered to be motorcycles/mopeds. If you want a means of transport that avoids all the regs, get an electrically-assited pushbike. I have only ridden a Velosolex once in my life, many years ago. I thought it would be fun. It was not. They are truly utterly sam considering a velosolex. what are the regs around these in the uk are they the same as a motorbike? does it need licence plates m.o.t. and insurance? or is it a pushbike?!
te.
Satsuma said:
At What point do 'the regs' come in then? Electrically assisted bike is outside the regs. petrol assisted bike is within the regs. Petrol assisted car is clearly within the regs. electronically assisted car is also within the regs?
I think it goes on weight & if it can exceed 15mph under it's own power. Same as those [UnPC]Spaz chariots[/UnPC].http://velosolex.webs.com/apps/members/membersList...
9 members so far
Going rate is about £500 at the moment, but much cheaper in France.Having looked at some of the vids on youtube, the want is starting to grow !
9 members so far
Going rate is about £500 at the moment, but much cheaper in France.Having looked at some of the vids on youtube, the want is starting to grow !
Edited by Greeny on Thursday 10th November 21:18
So...
If you were to take a mobility scooter. essentially a car that is outside the regs, and enhance its performance to allow it to achieve 20mph. you would then have to register it m.o.t it and tax it. whereas if it can only achieve 15mph then you can cruise to the shops free of the above? correct?
If you were to take a mobility scooter. essentially a car that is outside the regs, and enhance its performance to allow it to achieve 20mph. you would then have to register it m.o.t it and tax it. whereas if it can only achieve 15mph then you can cruise to the shops free of the above? correct?
Electrically assisted pedal cycles are defined in some Statutory Instrument or other that I once went to the trouble of looking up because I was building one.
The motor is limited to 200w and mustn't be able to power the machine over 15mph. There was also a weight restriction (80kg?) but as mine was well within the limit I can't remember what it was. Anything that doesn't comply is a moped. Mine didn't - it could just about crack 25mph on the flat, but once I'd seen everything working I couldn't be bothered forking out for a speed controller and bunged it behind the shed. Good fun, though.
A friend of mine built a whole series of electric vehicles, and the local police used to get the arse with him when they didn't look sufficiently like bicycles. They were particularly unimpressed with his motorised bar stool, which was really quite fast. Luckily they used to treat him as a local nutter rather than doing him for hundreds of C&U violations each time!
No idea about mobility scooters, but presumably there are corresponding restrictions beyond which it would fall into a similar category to a G-Wiz.
The motor is limited to 200w and mustn't be able to power the machine over 15mph. There was also a weight restriction (80kg?) but as mine was well within the limit I can't remember what it was. Anything that doesn't comply is a moped. Mine didn't - it could just about crack 25mph on the flat, but once I'd seen everything working I couldn't be bothered forking out for a speed controller and bunged it behind the shed. Good fun, though.
A friend of mine built a whole series of electric vehicles, and the local police used to get the arse with him when they didn't look sufficiently like bicycles. They were particularly unimpressed with his motorised bar stool, which was really quite fast. Luckily they used to treat him as a local nutter rather than doing him for hundreds of C&U violations each time!
No idea about mobility scooters, but presumably there are corresponding restrictions beyond which it would fall into a similar category to a G-Wiz.
Satsuma said:
So...
If you were to take a mobility scooter.........enhance its performance to allow it to achieve 20mph.......
This, I gather, is currently the sink-estate chav Xmas present of choice for their beloved 14 year olds. I've read somewhere that some of the machines have a very simple speed limiter fitted which is easily removed or adjusted.If you were to take a mobility scooter.........enhance its performance to allow it to achieve 20mph.......
They are an interesting machine certainly... A lot of the "bodywork" is leather stretched over a skeletal frame. I think the idea was borrowed for the BMW GINA concept a few years back. It's well worth a look if you haven't seen it.
Unfortunately they are incredibly rare in this country. But I think there is a following in Belgium, holland and a few of the ex-soviet countries too.
Unfortunately they are incredibly rare in this country. But I think there is a following in Belgium, holland and a few of the ex-soviet countries too.
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