92000E3877

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3877/00

by Michael Cashman (PSE) to the Commission

(4 December 2000)

Subject: Electrically assisted bicycles

Can the Commission confirm that European legislation will soon require simultaneous pedalling on electrically assisted bicycles i.e. when the pedalling stops, the motor also stops? If so, UK legislation, which currently allows for bikes to be ridden in electric-only mode, will be changed.

Does not the Commission agree that current restrictions on the weight of the vehicle, motor power and the maximum motorised speed provide ample and sufficient limits on such vehicles, thereby allowing them to be treated as pedal cycles?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(11 January 2001)

A proposal for a Parliament and Council Directive(1) amending Council Directive 92/61/EEC of 30 June 1992 relating to the type-approval of two or three-wheel motor vehicles(2) is currently under discussion in the Council working party for motor vehicles. In the original Commission proposal, which has been accepted by the Parliament without amendments in its first reading on 27 October 1999 certain vehicles are exempted from the scope.

Beside other vehicles this Commission proposal foresees the exclusion of cycles with pedal assistance (EPACs) which are equipped with an auxiliary electric motor having a maximum power of 0,25 kilowatt (kW), of which the output is progressively reduced as the vehicle speed increases, being cut off altogether at a speed of 25 kilometre per hour (km/h), and which cannot be propelled solely by means of such a motor.

Several modifications proposed by Member States to the Commission's proposal have been discussed, but a decision has not been taken yet. For this reason the Commission can at this stage not predict how far the wording will be changed in the Council Common Position and if e.g. the possibility of simultaneous pedalling on EPACs will be required or not.

(1) OJ C 337 E, 28.11.2000.

(2) OJ L 225, 10.8.1992.