BRUSSELS, Belgium (BRAIN) — The European TwoWheel Retailers' Association is hosting a meeting on Jan. 10 in Brussels to clear up any confusion around the new e-bike legislation.
The six-hour schedule includes time with representatives from the European Commission to answer questions on the type approval process, which is required for all e-bikes that travel faster than 25 kilometers per hour with motors of up to 250 watts.
The meeting is aimed at technical and general management staff of any company active in the electric bicycle sector including frame, battery, component and motor manufacturers, importers, wholesalers and dealers. It is also open to the press.
The European Parliament recently voted to keep in place existing regulations for e-bikes in Europe. That means bikes with motors up to 250 watts and pedal assist of up to 25 kilometers per hour are regulated as bicycles and anything more powerful falls into the category of motorbikes and mopeds, requiring lengthier and more expensive testing.
ETRA has argued that the market for so-called speed pedelecs — e-bikes with assist of 45 kilometers per hour — is not developing because of stricter regulations. Europe's bicycle manufacturers association, however, has maintained that the faster, more powerful bikes need to follow stricter rules for safety reasons.
The Jan. 10 session begins with a presentation by ETRA on the implications of the new legislation, and will cover the legal, practical and administrative aspects to the e-bike industry. Guido Gielen and Peter Broertjes, policy advisors at the European Commission's DG Enterprise and Industry, Directorate Automotive Industry will answer all questions on the new type-approval and electric bicycles.
The meeting is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at UEAPME, Rue Jacques de Lalaing 4, 1040 Brussels.
