Do EU e-bike speed limits cause unnecessary deaths?

Do EU e-bike speed limits cause unnecessary deaths?

 

Basics of cycling speeds:

A common argument is that e-bikes shouldn't operate beyond human capabilities.  Let's look at various human cycling speeds for long-duration riding:

  • Olympic athletes ride at 70 km/h / 40 mph
  • Basic speed for competitive cycling is 40 km/h / 25 mph
  • Take a random Joe, in good health, but without any training, put them on high-performance road bike, they will get 30 kmph / 20 mph
  • Random Joe on a low-performance bicycle, around 25 km/h / 15 mph

So the top speed limit for e-bikes is also the lower end scenario of human performance.

On top of that, a normal mechanical bicycle will easily reach 40 km/h going downhill on a gentle slope (4%), so that type of speed is a normal consideration in bicycle design. 

 

The Safety Case:

There are 3 kinds of accidents when it comes to Cycling:

  • Pedestrians hit by cyclists, ~2% of deaths
  • Cyclists hits a tree/wall, ~20% of deaths.
  • Cyclist is hit by a vehicle, ~80% of deaths

Drivers overtaking bike riders are the biggest cause of death among cyclists

National Transportation Safety Board

Transport for London found collisions during motorists’ overtaking manoeuvres were the single greatest cause of bicyclist fatalities in their recent survey

Motor vehicles overtaking cyclists on two-lane rural roads: Analysis on speed and lateral clearance: Carlos Llorca, Antonio Angel-Domenech, Fernando Agustin-Gomez, Alfredo Garcia

The speed limit of 16 mph for e-bikes simply doesn't work with other road traffic. The lowest 'normal' speed limit in the UK is 20 mph, and the lowest speed limit in Europe is 30 kmph. It motivates other drivers to overtake cyclists, and results in deaths.

 

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London has the slowest traffic in Europe, and as the speed limit map makes clear, there is nowhere that you can cycle on an e-bike and not risk being overtaken

There are three ways to resolve this conundrum:

  • Lower speed limits to 16 mph across the country. This would cause so much motorist outrage, it simply isn't gonna happen.
  • Build segregated cycle lane next to every road - might happen by 2150, when the oil runs out.
  • Raise the e-bike speed limit to 20 mph, so that bicycles can operate in traffic in city cores.

Switzerland has led the way in liberating the use of high-speed e-bikes. This was done by facilitating the process of obtaining a license for e-bikes with a maximum assisted speed of over 45 km/h

Since 2018 Danish parliament has allowed the use of speed-pedelecs on bike paths. A speed-pedelec is an e-bike with a maximum assisted speed of 45 km/h. Superbike riders must only wear a helmet and must be at least 15 years of age. They don't need a license plate or license.

Both countries are doing fine and are have some of the lowest road deaths in the world. It's time for Britain to follow suit.

 

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