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Speed pedelecFrance

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France

165. Speed pedelec

A speed pedelec is a high-speed electrically assisted bicycle whose motor can continue providing pedal assistance above the normal electric-bicycle assistance limit, typically up to approximately 45 km/h. It has pedals and is primarily designed to assist the rider while pedalling.

Because of its higher speed, a speed pedelec may legally be treated differently from an ordinary bicycle or electric bicycle. Special rules can apply concerning the minimum age, driving licence, helmet, registration, insurance, cycle-path use and permitted roads, depending on the country.

Speed pedelec
A Speedpedelec of German manufacturer 'Riese und Müller'.
Wikimedia.org • Sänger • CC BY-SA
What is a speed pedelec?

A speed pedelec is an electrically assisted pedal cycle capable of providing motor assistance at higher speeds than an ordinary electric bicycle, commonly up to approximately 45 km/h.

What is the difference between a speed pedelec and an ordinary electric bicycle?

An ordinary electrically assisted bicycle normally stops providing motor assistance at a lower speed, commonly around 25 km/h. A speed pedelec can continue assisting the rider at higher speeds.

Do you still have to pedal a speed pedelec?

Normally yes. A speed pedelec is primarily designed to provide assistance while the rider pedals, although limited walking or starting assistance may also be provided.

Can a speed pedelec travel at 45 km/h?

Many speed pedelecs are designed to provide assistance up to approximately 45 km/h. The actual permitted speed must still comply with the local speed limit and traffic conditions.

Do you need a driving licence for a speed pedelec?

This depends on the country's legal classification. Some countries classify speed pedelecs similarly to mopeds and require an appropriate driving licence.

Is a helmet compulsory on a speed pedelec?

Helmet requirements vary between countries, but because speed pedelecs travel considerably faster than ordinary bicycles, specific helmet requirements commonly apply.

Does a speed pedelec need a licence plate?

In countries where speed pedelecs are classified as mopeds or another motor-vehicle category, registration and a licence plate may be compulsory.

Does a speed pedelec need insurance?

This depends on its technical characteristics and local law. Some jurisdictions require motor-vehicle liability insurance, while others exempt pedal-assisted speed pedelecs under specified conditions.

Can a speed pedelec use a cycle path?

This depends on the country, road speed limit and traffic signs. Speed pedelecs may be permitted, required or prohibited on particular cycle paths.

Can a speed pedelec use a motorway?

Speed pedelecs are generally unsuitable for motorways and are commonly prohibited where mopeds or low-speed vehicles are not permitted. Follow the local access rules.

Can you carry a passenger on a speed pedelec?

This depends on the vehicle's construction and local rules. Where passengers are permitted, the speed pedelec must be designed and equipped to carry them safely.

Is a speed pedelec the same as an electric moped?

No. A speed pedelec is primarily designed to provide pedal assistance, while an electric moped can normally propel itself without requiring the rider to pedal. Their legal classifications may nevertheless be closely related.

1 France 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Minimum speed 8 Advisory speed 9 Footpath 10 Bike path 11 Pedestrian warning 12 Tunnel 13 Bridge 14 Cycling street 15 Pedestrian zone 16 Speed bump 17 Toll road 18 Customs 19 One-way traffic 20 Quay 21 Slope 22 Bus lane 23 Bus stop 24 Dead end 25 Stop sign 26 Give way 27 Roundabout 28 Priority road 29 Road narrowing 30 Priority over oncoming traffic 31 Give way to oncoming traffic 32 Pedestrian crossing 33 Railway crossing 34 Mandatory direction 35 Turn prohibition 36 School area 37 Overtaking 38 Crossing animals 39 Slippery road 40 Rockfall 41 Aircraft 42 Curve 43 Chevron 44 Wrong-way driving 45 Roadworks 46 Crosswind 47 Height limit 48 Width limit 49 Length limit 50 Weight limit 51 Radar speed sign 52 Selective barriers 53 Low-emission zone 54 Priority at the next junction 55 Traffic lights 56 Traffic lights warning 57 Pedestrian lights 58 Road markings 59 Junction layout 60 Bike box 61 Speed feedback 62 Driving licence 63 Location marker 64 Road number 65 Countdown markers 66 Public toilet 67 Rest area 68 Traffic mirror 69 Emergency telephone 70 International border 71 Cycling route 72 End of restriction 73 Parking 74 No parking 75 No stopping 76 Parallel parking 77 Alternate-side parking 78 Parking meter 79 Parking disc 80 Disabled parking 81 Traffic management 82 Merging 83 Reversing 84 U-turn 85 Carpool 86 Traffic jam 87 Uncontrolled crossroad 88 Road surface 89 Ring road 90 Exit 91 Information point 92 Horse riding 93 Provisional licence 94 Hazardous cargo 95 Emergency exit 96 Runaway truck ramp 97 Radio service 98 Oversize load 99 Lane 100 Tyre inflation station ... 101 ATM 102 Bed and breakfast 103 Dock 104 Cable car 105 Café 106 Motorhome wastewater disposal 107 Ferry 108 Carsharing 109 Chairlift 110 City limit 111 Tram crossing 112 Truck ecotax 113 Hiking 114 Hospital 115 Hotel 116 Greenway 117 Picnic site 118 Playground 119 Restaurant 120 Road closed 121 Road open 122 Ski route 123 Winter equipment zone 124 Tourist attraction 125 Viewpoint 126 Horn 127 Axle weight limit 128 Licence plate 129 Charging station 130 Dangers 131 Weather 132 Tunnel category 133 Temporary sign 134 Turn on red 135 High voltage 136 Fire risk 137 Pedestrian 138 Cyclist 139 Moped 140 Motorcycle 141 Car 142 Truck 143 Bus 144 Police 145 Ambulance 146 Taxi 147 Tailgating 148 Tram lights 149 European emission standard 150 Pothole 151 Private property 152 Path 153 Particulates 154 Air pollution 155 Rush hour 156 Filling station 157 Road code 158 Two-way traffic 159 Street gutter 160 Cargo bike 161 Forestry vehicle 162 Construction vehicle 163 Semi-trailer truck 164 Trolleybus 165 Speed pedelec 166 Delivery vehicle 167 Idling 168 Tow truck 169 Four-wheel drive 170 No vehicles 171 Bicycle 172 Motorcycle equipment 173 Tram 174 Rail track 175 Caravan 176 Trailer 177 Tow hitch 178 Fire truck 179 Siren 180 Convoy 181 Emergency vehicle lighting 182 Tractor 183 Agricultural machinery 184 Electric bicycle 185 Electric vehicle 186 Pedelec 187 Quadricycle 188 Microcar 189 All-terrain vehicle 190 Van 191 Recreational vehicle 192 Scooter 193 Trikke 194 Personal mobility device 195 Skateboard 196 Segway 197 Kick scooter 198 Roller skates 199 Mailman 200 Hitchhiker 201 Toddler 202 Child 203 Disability 204 Motorail 205 Parking violation 206 km/h 207 mph 208 Speedometer 209 National speed 210 Rumble strip 211 Speed cushion 212 Ride height 213 Dirt road 214 Driving 215 Start-stop system 216 Manual transmission 217 Automatic transmission 218 Throttle 219 Tachometer 220 Steering wheel 221 Power steering 222 Visual scanning 223 Mirror 224 Fuel 225 Fuel gauge 226 Petrol 227 Diesel 228 Diesel exhaust fluid 229 Car insurance 230 First aid kit 231 Fire extinguisher 232 High-visibility clothing 233 First aid 234 Guardrail 235 Concrete step barrier 236 Bollards 237 Barriers 238 Vehicle lights 239 Street lights 240 Dipped beam 241 High beam 242 Fog lights 243 Front fog lights 244 Rear fog lights 245 Side lights 246 Turn signals 247 Hazard lights 248 Dashboard lights 249 Bicycle lighting 250 Bicycle bell 251 Headlight flashing 252 Seat belt 253 Child restraints 254 Head restraints 255 Airbag 256 ABS 257 Esp 258 Traction control system 259 Helmet 260 Bicycle helmet 261 Hands-free 262 Smartphone 263 GPS 264 Brake 265 Handbrake 266 Brake fluid 267 Tyres 268 Tyre code 269 Winter tyres 270 Tyre pressure 271 Snow chains 272 Bicycle tyre 273 Continuous track 274 Gross Vehicle Weight 275 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 276 Cargo 277 Car body 278 Trunk 279 Roof rack 280 Windscreen 281 Emergency hammer 282 Car battery 283 Traction battery 284 Suspension 285 Shock absorber 286 Spring 287 Exhaust 288 Exhaust gas 289 Soot 290 Catalytic converter 291 Engine 292 Petrol engine 293 Diesel engine 294 Electric motor 295 Timing belt 296 Glow plug 297 Cylinder 298 Engine oil 299 Coolant 300 Maintenance 301 Spare tyre 302 Flat tyre 303 Jack 304 Vehicle inspection 305 Key 306 Dashboard 307 Windscreen wiper 308 Doors 309 Glovebox 310 Visibility 311 Rain 312 Fog 313 Hail 314 Sunlight 315 Sunglasses 316 Salt 317 Air conditioning 318 Hydroplaning 319 Loose chippings 320 Distraction 321 Emotions 322 Road rage 323 Health 324 Epilepsy 325 Night blindness 326 Visual impairment 327 Fatigue 328 Defects 329 Traffic violation 330 Alcohol 331 Alcohol control 332 Ignition interlock device 333 Breath test 334 Breath analysis 335 Blood alcohol content 336 Blood test 337 Saliva test 338 Drugs 339 Medication 340 Penalties 341 Speeding 342 Smoking 343 Traffic enforcement camera 344 Double curve 345 Accident 346 Injuries 347 Nosebleed 348 Damage 349 Breakdown 350 Warning triangle 351 Traffic rules 352 Driving school 353 Traffic signs