Electric bikes
An electric bike, or e-bike, is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor to assist you when you’re pedaling. To classify as an e-bike, the motor has to help you rather than propel you on its own. As a result, you need to pedal to get that assistance. The motor is limited to 250 watts output and must cut out when your speed reaches 25km/h.
An e-bike should be used in the same way as a bicycle on public roads. You must:
- cycle on the left, including in cycle lanes and bus lanes
not use footpaths, pedestrianised areas or motorways obey all rules of the road, particularly for traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, pelican crossings and zebra crossings obey all traffic lights, including bicycle traffic lights obey all traffic signs in the same way that they apply to cyclists obey signals given by a Garda or school warden; obey all posted speed limits; and not use a mobile phone.
E-bikes with a power output or maximum speed above these limits, as well as those that can operate without pedaling, fall into a different category and are known as e-mopeds.
E-mopeds
E-mopeds are more powerful electric bicycles. Because of this additional power, all e-mopeds will require vehicle registration and annual motor tax. Users must be 16 years or over. You must wear a motorcycle helmet while riding any type of e-moped.
Pedal assisted means the electric motor cuts off when you stop pedaling. Throttle assisted means the electric motor continues to run when you stop pedaling.
L1e-A e-moped
L1e-A e-mopeds are low power e-mopeds, with a maximum speed of 25km/h and maximum power of up to 1,000 Watts. Pedal assisted L1e-A e-mopeds can use