Electric bikes

I don't think they are legal, not unless they are pedal assisted.

Trust me on this, as long as it has pedals that could propel it and brakes on all wheels that can stop it. It can pass the 250w LMP inspection.
(If you want a long pretty boring read https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6308ab748fa8f55361ddd828/motorcycle-single-vehicle-approval-inspection-manual.pdf or a slightly less boring one https://www.lfgss.com/comments/17076823/ Spoiler he did it)

This true of the rickshaw pedi cabs around the west end? They seem to be a nuisance and no cheaper then uber/black cab in many cases.

I do not know for a fact, but I think a lot of them are more than 250w. But if not then they could well be legal. Actually thinking about it they are most likely over the weight limit as well.

wow, ok. didn't know that, thanks!
so it's legal to ride a throttle powered e bike as long as it has a 250w max motor, doesn't go above 15.5mph, and has the ability to be pedal powered.

so do you have to be able to provide paperwork to show that it has had type approval?

also, according to THE ELECTRICALLY ASSISTED PEDAL CYCLES (AMENDMENT)
REGULATIONS 2015
2015 No. 24

the weight limit was removed for this type of vehicle.

Ref the paper work; I think I would have a picture on my phone just in case. As you have put it though the test yourself you get to name it and as the only markings on the frame would be the frame number. You could in theory stamp your own number on it and well…
I didn’t clock the weight limit had gone. Pedal assist Fraud Transit anyone?

Get in before they change the rules. https://youtu.be/QAwJUePQJQ4

I’ve had too many door shut by ‘loopholes’ being closed.
And first ever my arse.

Can anyone recommend a light, folding electric bike? My wife was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and is struggling with her GoCycle (which I think is useless as a folding bike anyway). It’s for commuting, so the folding, lifting part, is key.

Brompton electric?

Need an electric bike to cart my two kiddos (4 and 1) around, mostly trips within 1-5 miles, sharing it with my wife on a daily basis. My wife can get a bike scheme through her work, it's capped at £4k. We tried a Tern GSD which was great but wouldn't fit through the dog leg in our house around the stairs, so nothing quite that big. I'm clueless with e-bikes so any suggestions would be gratefully received.

We’ve got a Yuba Kombi. Similar sort of bike to the GSD but a bit shorter so might be easier to manoeuvre through your house. It’s not as expensive as the Tern, but does the job fine for us. Having said that it isn’t as easy to adjust for different riders as Terns are I don’t think.

Another option might be the Yuba fastrack, a little longer than the kombi, but I think shorter than a GSD. You can test ride them both at London green cycles.

Thanks. I'm in Bristol but there's a stockist here so I might go and see if they'll let me have a test ride

has anyone lost their battery key? 😭 Bosch and Abus

Both lost or just the spare? If you've still got one, there's plenty of online key ordering places that'll replicate from pictures on the keying.

If both, the lock should have a code on it which you can order a new one from Abus etc.

both lost, will find a code on the lock itself ..

Liz picked up Miss Grace from its service the other day, I’ve just seen her usage report. Not bad for 2 years. But only 1% in turbo? If it was mine that would be 100%!!

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Is there a favourite for torque sensing, mid drive conversion kit?

If you get a Bosch diagnostic report I believe it includes the key code

The code on the lock shouldn't allow you to get another key cut. The keys will have come with a little keyring tag and barcode which have the correct code, and as cmyj says, should be visible in Bosch diagnostics.

Only if that info was filled in by someone.. at some point. Worth a go though

There's an open Government consultation about e-bikes, looking at:

1. raising maximum assistance to 500w
   
2. raising throttle assist limit to 25kph.
   
   

You can read the document and access the response form here.

New Swytch kit is £299 if you pre-order. Seems to use the same front wheel but a much simplified battery mount which brings the cost down.

Can someone point me in the right direction for the bolts i need? Shimao steps (6100?) alloy mount. It’s different side to side.

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Are integrated batteries a terrible idea in the UK where bike will be stored in an unheated garage?

Being cold won't do the battery any good. I'd also want a removable battery if it was a bike I was planning to ever lock up. I used to work for a company that hired out a fleet of several hundred e-bikes and the vast majority that were stolen still had the battery attached. Removing the battery when you leave the bike locked up seemingly makes it much less attractive to thieves.
Another benefit is that you can just take the battery off to charge it and leave the rest of the bike in the garage. Maybe not an issue if you have power in there anyway though.