Electric balance bikes are now legal, heading to cycle paths


Alexander Boero

January 18, 2022 at 5:10 p.m.

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balance bike © Windgoo

© Windgoo

Halfway between the bicycle and the electric scooter, the balance bike is finally legal. It can roll, moreover, on cycle paths.

The decree of January 14, 2022 taken by the Ministry of the Interior, published in the Official Journal the next day, sounds like a deliverance for all lovers of electric balance bikes. These two-wheelers, which are attracting more and more people, were quite simply illegal until then, whether on the street or for sale. Here they are now considered, from the point of view of the law, as ” light mopeds “.

The electric balance bike can finally drive freely, but at less than 25 km/h

Don’t be afraid to take your balance bike out of the garage or the balcony. You can now proudly show it off in the street, yes Madam, yes Sir! Because, “ayé”, it is registered in the Highway Code. Users and the Federation of Micro-mobility Professionals have been calling for its legalization for many months, via the creation of a category of light mopeds.

The electric balance bike, which can be considered as a kind of small electric bicycle without pedals, is seen as a moped, and this, when it has a saddle and a motor. Manufacturers now limit the maximum speed of these machines to 25 km/h, like other motorized personal transport vehicles (EDPM) which include electric scooters, hoverboards, Segways and other monowheels.

In addition to a speed limited to 25 km/h, the power of the motor is also limited to 350 W. And the motor must obviously be electric. France thus joins Germany, which is one of the countries to have already legalized the practice.

Direction the cycle paths for the electric balance bike, or the roadway in town

In the eyes of the law, light mopeds constitute a ” moped subcategory », which exempts them from registration (but not insurance!). Nevertheless, distributors must check that the machines are approved. The maximum length of an electric balance bike should not exceed 1.65 m, and its weight should remain under 30 kg empty, which in itself is not a problem, since most models weigh between 15 and 25 kg.

Windgoo balance bike © Windgoo balance bike

© Windgoo

The electric balance bike, to be recognized as such, must be equipped with two wheels and a single seat, being devoid of any device that could facilitate the transport of goods. Now ticking all the EPDM boxes, electric balance bikes are therefore officially authorized to circulate on cycle paths as well as on the roadway, in town.

These light mopeds can circulate anywhere where the speed is limited to 50 km/h, which effectively limits the balance bike to the city and to cycle paths or other greenways. Be careful though: if you unleash the engine of your machine and you exceed 25 km/h, whether in town or on the slopes, you risk a fine of 1,500 euros and the confiscation of the balance bike by the police or gendarmerie.

On the same subject :
Should e-bikes be banned on cycle lanes? Several cities are asking the question

Source: Legifrance



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