Frequently asked questions about electric bicycles

Electric bicycles are subject to the same laws as ordinary bicycles with the addition that the electric motor is limited to 25km/h. You don’t need to have a special license to cycle an electric bicycle.

Nearly all electric bicycles sold in Europe are “pedal assist” electric bicycles, also known as “pedelecs” (short for “pedal-electric”). The electric motor isn’t the means of propulsion. What it does is provide assistance to the cyclist.

More technically, under Article 1(h) of EU Directive 2002/24/EC, these bicycles are defined as “cycles with pedal assistance which are equipped with an auxiliary electric motor having a maximum continuous rated power of 0.25 kW, of which the output is progressively reduced and finally cut off as the vehicle reaches a speed of 25 km/h, or sooner, if the cyclist stops pedalling”.

They are considered to be pedal cycles for the purposes of the law.

You don’t pay motor tax on an electric bicycle. You don’t have to have insurance either.

However, you may wish to insure your bicycle against theft or accidental damage. This can be purchased online from less than €15 per month depending on the value of your bicycle. See Bikmo or Blue Insurance for more information.

Yes. Your local credit union will provide a loan to buy an electric bicycle. In fact, Cork Credit Unions are a member of the we-bike stakeholder team.

Yes. Electric bicycles can be bought using the Cycle to Work scheme. The maximum amount that can be covered by the scheme for an electric bicycle is €1,500. This is about the price of an entry-level electric bicycle or will help you with the cost of a more expensive one.

The answer is more and more. Electric bicycles account of a third of bicycles sold in Germany, more than 40% of those sold in the Netherlands and a majority of all bicycles sold in Belgium.

So many are being sold, in fact, that it’s hard to keep track. In 2017, industry estimates were that 50 million electric bicycles would be sold in the European Union between then and 2030. It’s now estimated that 150 million will be sold between now and then.

A good entry-level electric bicycle costs about €1,799. A mid-level electric bicycle costs about €2,759–3,250. Charging an electric to full capacity every week for a year will cost about €5. Maintenance costs are the same as those for an ordinary bicycle.

Electric bicycle sales have increased steadily over the last decade and are now growing even faster. Industry research sees no sign of this abating or a slow down in growth.

The sudden increase in sales of electric bicycles is linked to changing social attitudes and government policies on transport. International research indicates that electric bicycles provide opportunities for people who would not otherwise consider conventional cycling.

Perceptions also change among those who purchase an electric bicycle, with cycling replacing journeys that would previously have been made by car.

To join a credit union, you need to hold what is known as the “common bond”. For most credit unions, the “common bond” is the area where members live – potential members will need to live or work within a local area. For other credit unions, the “common bond” might be the occupation members work in.

Once you have identified the appropriate credit union within your “common bond”, be that where you live or work, opening an account is straightforward and convenient. You will need:

• Proof of ID: A current valid passport or valid drivers’ licence.
• Proof of Address: A utility bill, a local authority document, an official document for a government body, or a bank/building society statement dated within the last three months.
• Evidence of PPS Number: A document from the Department of Social Protection, payslip or the Revenue Commissioners.

Electric bicycles can be bought in most bicycle shops. There are also two specialist electric bicycle dealers in Cork. These are City View Wheels on Blarney Street (who are a member of the we-bike stakeholders’ team) and GreetAer on Monaghan Road.

Yes, you can take an electric bicycle on the bus or train.

For Irish Rail services, it is free to bring your bicycle on the mainline train but you are recommended to book in advance to ensure that there is space. On commuter train services, you can bring a bicycle on the train at off-peak times for free. In reality, you will typically be allowed to bring it on during on-peak times too but may be refused if space is limited.

For Bus Éireann services, there is a charge of €10. You may not take a full-size electric bicycle on city bus services.

A fold-up electric bicycle may be brought on any train or bus services at any time for free since it is considered your personal luggage. You may be asked to place it in a carry bag.

A typical electric bicycles will give power assistance for around 100km on a single charge, assuming flat terrain and a moderate level of assistance.

In reality, using old motoring terms, your millage may vary. If you cycle uphill or if you set the electric bicycle to give the highest level of assistance then it may be less. If you use very little assistance or are traveling on downhill, it may be more.

The electric motor will provide power assistance up to 25km/h. This is the legal limit for electric bicycles. You can go faster than 25km/h but the electric motor won’t assist you after that.

An electric bicycle charges to full capacity in about 2–4 hours. This is done using a normal home connection and is just like charging a mobile phone. A typical electric bike will give power for about 100km on a full charge but your millage may vary depending on use and road conditions.

The battery of a good quality electric bicycle will typically last about 10 years before losing its capacity to hold a charge. After that it will need to be recycled properly, just like any other battery.

This depends on the steepness of the hill and the power of your electric bicycle. A typical rider on an typical electric bicycle can cycle up Patrick’s Hill in Cork without much effort. On an ordinary hill, increasing the power assistance on your electric bicycle will allow you to cycle uphill without any noticeable increase in effort compared to the flat.

A electric bicycle is more attractive for people who wouldn’t otherwise cycle. This might be because of their personal circumstances or because of the geography of where they live. Nonetheless, the health and environmental benefits of cycling an electric bicycle are still comparable to conventional cycling and walking – and far better for you and the environment than taking the car.

Then you’re going old school. Remember, an electric bicycle is an ordinary bicycle with the addition of an electric motor to assist you. If the battery runs out, you just pedal as normal. The only thing that changes is that you won’t have the benefit of the electric motor.

Yes. The most common form of electric bicycle in Europe is a “pedelec”. This is where you must pedal the bicycle at least to some degree under the law. Turning the pedals on the bicycle will activate the motor.

The degree to which you pedal or the motor does the work can be adjusted by a small device on the handlebars. On the flat, you may wish to conserve your battery and have the motor do very little. On hills, you may wish to increase the power and have the motor do nearly all the work.

Electric bicycles are hugely popular and well-tested in Germany, Netherlands and Belgium, countries with climates like ours. A typical electric bicycle will come with a two-year guarantee. However, like any bicycle, an electric bicycle can corrode of it’s left outdoors in rainy conditions for long time. So it’s best to store it somewhere dry or invest in a bicycle cover.

A typical electric bicycles will give power assistance for around 100km on a single charge, assuming flat terrain and a moderate level of assistance.

In reality, using old motoring terms, your millage may vary. If you cycle uphill or if you set the electric bicycle to give the highest level of assistance then it may be less. If you use very little assistance or are traveling on downhill, it may be more.

An electric bicycle charges to full capacity in about 2–4 hours. This is done using a normal home connection and is just like charging a mobile phone. A typical electric bike will give power for about 100km on a full charge but your millage may vary depending on use and road conditions.

The battery of a good quality electric bicycle will typically last about 10 years before losing its capacity to hold a charge. After that it will need to be recycled properly, just like any other battery.

Then you’re going old school. Remember, an electric bicycle is an ordinary bicycle with the addition of an electric motor to assist you. If the battery runs out, you just pedal as normal. The only thing that changes is that you won’t have the benefit of the electric motor.