eBike Speed Limit Hack
Let’s face it, every popular eBike owner has thought of how to hack electric bike speed. If you’ve used one before, you understand the feeling when you pedal energetically, and the bike powerfully assists your acceleration up to 15mph/25km/h.
Despite an eBikes zero carbon emission level and efficiency, it is not as quick as gas-powered alternatives. So if you want a non-gas model, check out our Nakto Bright GG electric hunting bike review.
For many e-bike lovers, the 25km/h speed limit when the bike turns off the juice is pretty annoying and insufficient. Is it possible to delimit an eBike to cruise past the 25km/h limit? Fortunately for many eBike owners, it is possible to tune your e-bike to cruise past the 25km/h speed limit. But be warned, it might be illegal in your city to ride it on public roads.
Understand the Basic Principle of Delimiting
Delimiting, also known as tuning an eBike, is getting rid of your bike’s pedal assistance limit, helping you achieve speeds well over 25km/h. The speed limit feature on bikes prevents the electrical power from the engine from getting released once the speed limit is achieved. So if you are wondering how fast a 1000w electric bike can go, these features are in place and limit the speed even though it has a stronger motor than most other bikes.
Speed limits are set by the manufacturer in line with legal regulations that provide that bike motors need to be 250 watts, with a maximum speed of 25km/h. It is essential to note that delimiting your eBike will void the manufacturer’s warranty.
The eBike doesn’t magically trip off the speed but is triggered by a system that notifies it when the speed limit is achieved. It should be noted that delimiting may reduce how long your electric bike lasts.
Components of an eBike Responsible for the Speed
An electric bike has three major components that help it achieve speed and determine how fast it goes:
Motor
This is the bike’s engine that provides motion. eBikes come in three distinct types: mid-drive, front, and rear hubs. The wattage determines the power of the engine. The motor will also help determine the type of controller your bike uses. While you are at it, learning about how to test an electric bike motor could be Smart as well. This would give you a basic idea of how to troubleshoot your motor.
Battery
The battery is what provides the juice to power your electric bike motor that is converted into motion. You should check out the best eBike battery to ensure that your battery can get you the range you are wanting from your bike. Alternatively, if you are a DIYer and want to, you can make a battery for your electric bike.
LCD
The LCD acts as the control panel of the bike. This component helps bikers monitor the performance as well as toggle ride options. And, you’ll be able to see if this is the fastest electric bike by checking on the panel. over, while some ebike LCDs may be resistive, many of them are touchscreens.
Speed Sensor
It Is the electric component in your eBike that calculates the wheel’s rotation to determine the speed you are riding. It reads the behavior of the bike and translates it to the computer unit in the controller. You’ll find a similar sensor on many ebike models, including the one in our Giant Road E-1 Pro review.
Are ebikes legal?
Yes, and their use is actively encouraged as a way to get more people riding, help them get fit and reduce the number of short car journeys made; take a look at our article on 14 benefits of riding an electric bike. You can buy a bike equipped with an electric motor across all the main bicycle categories: electric road bikes, electric hybrid bikes with flat bars and electric mountain bikes. You can even buy electric folding bikes, electric gravel bikes and electric cargo bikes. Also check out our guide to the best electric bikes, which explains more about the different types of electric bike available. There are some regulations covering the speed limit at which they are allowed to provide assistance and their power output, as we’ll explain below. However, if an electric bike meets these it’s perfectly legal to ride an electric bike anywhere you’d ride a normal bike. You can also buy an electric bike conversion kit to convert a pedal-only bike into an electric bike. Again, if it complies with the power output and speed regulations, this is perfectly legal. Read our beginner’s guide to electric bikes for more details on how an electric bike works.
Most electric bikes in the UK fall within the ‘electrically assisted pedal cycle’ (EAPC) category. Russell Burton / Immediate Media
We’ll be dealing first with the laws covering electric bikes in the UK, and that starts with defining what constitutes an ebike, or an electrically assisted pedal cycle (EAPC) to give it its technical name. Not all electrically powered two-wheeled vehicles are covered by this category – we’ll cover some other types later. Also, an ebike doesn’t have to have two wheels – the legislation also applies to EAPCs with more than two wheels.
What is an EAPC?
- Have pedals that can be used to propel it
- Show either the power output or the manufacturer of the motor
- Show either the battery’s voltage or the maximum speed of the bike
- Have an electric motor with a maximum power output of 250 watts
- Not have a motor able to propel the bike when it’s travelling at more than 15.5mph
An EAPC must have a motor with a maximum power output of no more than 250 watts. It also requires pedals to propel it. Russell Burton / Immediate Media
Let’s cover each of those elements in a little more detail.
An EAPC’s motor can only provide assistance when the rider is pedalling.
It will have sensors built into the system that recognise when the rider is pushing on the pedals and provide power from the motor in proportion to this, so the bike doesn’t run away with you or power you along without pedalling.
Electric bike laws state that assistance from the motor must cut out at 15.5mph (25km/h). That’s the same across the UK, EU and Australia (but, as we’ll come on to, this limit rises to 20mph in the USA).
You can ride an ebike faster than this, but the motor will cut out and you’ll then be riding solely under your own steam. It’s perfectly possible to exceed 15.5mph when travelling downhill, while a fitter rider will be able to exceed this speed on the flat, particularly on a performance-oriented, drop-bar electric road bike.
The motor’s power output has to be limited to a continuous output of 250 watts, too, although peak power may exceed this, which is why you see ebikes, particularly eMTBs, with quoted outputs significantly higher.
Note that there’s a newer category of cargo-carrying ebikes that can be fitted with a more powerful motor, up to 1,000 watts. This L1e-A classification requires the rider to be licensed, and the bike needs to be registered and insured. Power output can be regulated by a throttle on L1e-A bikes.
However, the vast majority of electric bikes sold in the UK fall under the EAPC classification, so that’s what we’ll FOCUS on here.
What are the regulations when riding an ebike?
If an ebike falls within the EAPC definition, legally it is treated like a regular, non-assisted bike, although you do have to be at least 14 years old to be allowed to ride an electric bike.
You don’t need to register the bike and you don’t need to have insurance (although we’d recommend having insurance that covers theft, personal accident and third-party liability as a minimum). We’ve got a guide to choosing the best bicycle insurance for your needs and you can even buy specific electric bike insurance policies.
You are also not legally required to wear a helmet in the UK, although we’d advise always using one, particularly with the higher weight and average speed of an electric bike.
As with any bike, it’s advisable to keep your bike well maintained to make sure you’re safe when riding. Read our simple guide to electric bike maintenance.
In the UK, you are not legally required to wear a helmet when riding an electric bike. Bosch eBike Systems
You can ride an ebike anywhere you are permitted to ride a regular bike. That includes on roads, cycle lanes and bridle paths. As with a non-electric bicycle, you’re not allowed to ride on pavements, unless they’re designated for mixed cycle and pedestrian use. You have to obey the Highway Code too, including stop signs and traffic lights.
If you’re not confident that you know the rules when riding, it’s worthwhile enrolling in a cycle safety class and getting to grips with the Highway Code.
Are the laws different in Northern Ireland?
Until mid-2020, by a legislative quirk, electric bikes were treated differently in Northern Ireland than in the rest of the UK. You had to register your ebike, have a licence to use it, carry insurance and wear a motorcycle helmet, so it was treated like a moped.
Those rules were changed in May 2020, so the law in Northern Ireland is now in line with the rest of the UK and an ebike that complies with the EAPC regulations above is treated like a non-electric bicycle.
Watts and torque
Electric bike motors designed for off-road riding typically offer more torque, and are better-suited to steep, loose climbs. Bosch eBike Systems
We’ve already mentioned that the motor must have a continuous peak output of 250 watts for a bike to be classified as an EAPC.
Some systems have a boost button on the handlebar that you can hold down to temporarily provide more power than this, which can be useful when accelerating. In all cases, the motor must cut out at 15.5mph, even if you’re holding down the boost button.
An ebike motor’s output isn’t measured only in watts – its torque output and assistance levels are also important factors in its performance.
Torque is the amount of turning power that the motor delivers to the wheels, determining how fast the ebike will accelerate and how steep a gradient it can tackle. An ebike’s torque output isn’t governed by legislation.
Most ebike systems will feature a display to show key data such as the motor’s power setting and battery life, though more advanced units may include GPS, too. Russell Burton / Immediate Media
Torque figures vary significantly between electric bike motors, depending on what the system is designed for.
Flat-bar electric hybrid bikes and drop-bar road ebikes typically have torque outputs of between 40Nm and 60Nm. For example, Bosch’s Active Line motor has a maximum torque of 40Nm and is designed for urban riding.
Electric mountain bikes are usually heavier and need to be able to tackle steep, loose off-road climbs. As a result, they will often have much greater torque outputs, starting at around 60Nm and, in the case of Bosch’s Performance Line CX motor, topping out at 85Nm.
E-bike top speeds
The top speed of an e-bike is going to depend on a number of factors. These include the drive system, the throttle, and the pedal-assist feature.
The vast majority of e-bikes are going to top off at around 20 miles per hour (mph).
On the other hand, some class 3 bikes that have exceptional drive systems or throttles might end up reaching a top speed of 30 mph.
Even though there are some bikes that go faster than this (even into the range of 45 miles per hour), these bikes may be more challenging to control.
Laws regulating e-bike speeds
Every state has different rules and regulations surrounding ebikes that stem from safety concerns.
The rule and regulations that govern e-bike usage and speed will vary from state to state. When comparing laws in various jurisdictions, some of the most important factors to consider include:
- How does the state define an electrical bicycle?
- What is the maximum speed allowed when powered by a motor?
- What is the maximum power permitted by the motor?
- Is helmet usage mandatory for all e-bike riders?
- Is a driver’s license required?
- What is the minimum age required for someone to ride an e-bike?
Because the laws are not consistent from state to state, this can be confusing for ebike users. It’s critical for everyone to be familiar with the laws in their state before they decide to use an e-bike.
States have a maximum allowable speed of between 20 and 30 mph. For example, the top e-bike speed in South Carolina is 20 mph but the top e-bike speed in Missouri is 30 mph.
The inconsistency can make it challenging for ebike users to keep the laws straight. As e-bikes become more common, the laws surrounding e-bike usage should become clearer as well.
The growth of the e-bike industry
Your e-bike battery and motor have a big impact on how fast you can go on an ebike.
E-bikes are a great way for people to get from place to place quickly without having to spend money on gas while getting some exercise. They’re also incredibly efficient and safe for people comfortable riding them.
As e-bikes continue to grow in popularity, they’ll continue to get cheaper and better (and maybe even faster). Ready to purchase your first e-bike?
What Are The Benefits Of An Ebike Over A Traditional Bicycle?
Ebikes offer a number of advantages over traditional bicycles. They provide an easier and faster way to get around, allowing users to cover more ground in the same amount of time.
Increased Speed and Efficiency:
Ebikes are equipped with an electric motor designed to assist riders with pedaling, providing extra power and allowing cyclists to go further and faster than they could on a traditional bike.
Lower Physical Impact:
Ebikes allow riders to cover more distance with less physical effort, making them ideal for riders who may struggle to keep up with other cyclists on traditional bikes.
Lower Cost of Ownership:
Ebikes are cheaper to maintain than traditional bicycles, with electric components requiring fewer repairs and maintenance than the complex parts on traditional bikes.
Improved Rider Safety:
Ebikes are equipped with features such as lights and reflectors that make it easier for riders to be seen while cycling, providing greater protection from accidents.
Environmentally Friendly:
Ebikes are powered by electricity, eliminating the need for gasoline or engine oil, and making them a greener form of transportation than traditional bikes.
What Factors Affect The Speed Of An Ebike?
Battery Capacity:
The size of the battery and its capacity to hold a charge will have a significant effect on the speed of an e-bike. A larger battery capacity will allow the motor to draw more power, producing higher speeds.
Motor Power:
The power of the motor is another major factor in determining the speed of an ebike. A more powerful motor can produce greater torque, allowing the bike to accelerate faster and reach higher top speeds.
The weight of the ebike will also be a factor in its speed. Heavier bikes require more effort from the motor and rider to propel, resulting in slower speeds.
Wheel and Tire Size:
The size of the wheels and tires on an ebike will affect its speed. A larger wheel and tire size will be able to generate more torque and thus greater speeds.
Gear Ratio:
The gear ratio of the ebike will also influence its speed. A higher gear ratio will produce higher top speeds, while a lower ratio will provide more torque and acceleration.
Pedal Assist Level:
Most ebikes have a pedal assist level that allows the rider to select how much power the motor should provide. The higher the level, the faster the bike can go.
The type of terrain the ebike is used on will also affect its speed. Riding on smoother surfaces such as asphalt or concrete will allow the bike to be faster
Are There Safety Concerns When Riding An Ebike At Higher Speeds?
Riding an ebike at higher speeds can be dangerous and should be done with caution.
There are many safety concerns to consider when riding an ebike at higher speeds, such as the speed of the ebike, the terrain, the surrounding environment, and the rider’s skill level.
It is important to be aware of the laws and regulations in the area, as some places may have restrictions on the speed of ebikes.
Additionally, the rider should always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear to protect themselves from potential falls.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the speed of an ebike can range from 15-45 mph depending on the type of motor, battery, terrain, and rider weight.
How fast can an ebike go?
The speed of an ebikes can vary depending on the motor and battery system. Generally, the average speed for an ebike is 20mph, although some can go up to 28mph.
Is it legal to ride an ebike on roads?
Yes, ebikes are legal to ride on roads in many countries. People riding ebikes should follow the same road rules that apply to regular bicycles.
Are ebikes safe?
Yes, ebikes are generally considered safe when operated according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The rider should always take safety precautions and wear protective gear when riding an ebike.
How does an ebike work?
An ebike is a two or three-wheeled vehicle that is powered by electricity. The rider pedals to engage the motor, which propels the bike forward.
Is it easy to use an ebike?
Yes, ebikes are typically easy to use. They come with an intuitive user interface and the rider can easily adjust the speed and power.