BERLIN: They look like bicycles but move as fast as mopeds: According to some experts, “speed-pedelecs” or S-pedelecs are a genuine alternative for car drivers looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
Infrastructure Minister Susanna Karawanskij in Germany’s Thuringia state is one fervent advocate.
She believes S-pedelecs belong on the roads and only on cycleways in urban areas. Unfortunately such routes do not exist in Thuringia although in some other federal states, a few municipalities have already established a network of cycle paths with S-pedelec clearance.
The Green parliamentary group in the local parliament is also open to opening up the rules. So could pedelecs advance the mobility transition in rural areas?
With more speed on tap, S-pedelecs allow the rider to cut journey times even more than when using regular pedelecs, which are limited to 25kph.
And of course, with quicker e-bike journey times on offer, the less time spent behind the wheel of a car may seem attractive.
In many countries, these fast pedelecs are treated like mopeds fitted with with electric or combustion engine power. The S-pedelecs are classified as mopeds and must be covered by liability insurance.
Additionally, they need to be equipped with license plates and rear-view mirrors. Riders also need a driving licence to use one. A helmet is often compulsory and child trailers are prohibited. The minimum age for riders is 15.
Surveys show that only a small proportion of e-bike owners use a speed pedelec which may be due to their unclarified road use status.
A typical experience is related by Immanuel Schneeberger in an article for Germany’s Dekra safety and testing agency. He describes some of the problems.
After encountering a cycle path on his commuter route, Schneeberger noted: “My first obstacle: I’m not allowed to ride here with the S-pedelec. Despite 45kph, I quickly become a traffic hazard on the road, with cars rushing past me at nearly 100kph. I don’t really feel good this way.”
“The biggest advantage of pedelecs as a whole, especially for commuters, is that routes can be planned”, said Thilo Braun of Germany’s cyclist club ADFC.
“If you ride with motor assistance, you know exactly how much time you need for a route – no matter how strong the wind blows and from which direction. With S-pedelecs, it is also possible to cover longer distances quickly.”
Braun points out, however, that even with S-pedelecs you have to pedal hard to reach 45kph – the design means the bikes cannot achieve top speed using motor drive alone. If you stick to the rules and only ride on the road, you can quickly lose interest if cars whizz past you at 100kph on a busy street. “That is also dangerous,” he said.
In Germany and many other European countries, cycle paths are taboo for S-pedelecs – unless the paths have been explicitly cleared for the fast bikes.
The German university city of Tübingen is considered a pioneer here, and it opened the first cycle paths for S-pedelecs as early as 2019. According to the city, there is now a coherent network that connects the districts with the city centre.
Perhaps the last word should go to enthusiastic s-pedelec user Schneeberger.
“At least outside of built-up areas, S-pedelecs should be allowed to ride on (cycle paths). That would be good for safety and might get more commuters to hop on their bikes, at least on sunny days.
“Because the bike is able to keep pace with other traffic, five minutes more riding time and a quarter of an hour for showering and changing are more pleasant for me than sitting for the same time in traffic jams.”
Keyword: Fast S-Pedelecs on cycle paths - a better way of getting to work?