E-bikes changing legal landscape 

E-bikes changing legal landscape 

As market shares for e-bikes across Europe grow, so does the need for the correct regulatory framework to help this booming business thrive. This online magazine looks at the legal changes being made and what is on the horizon, including the new battery regulation which is aimed at developing a competitive and sustainable battery industry in Europe. Also, as a last mile delivery opportunity and eco-friendly alternative to a car, the relevance of the cargo bike is growing. A new European standard for this category is needed to help standardise the legal patchwork that exists throughout Europe.

Highlights in this latest online magazine (Issue 26 | April 2023) include:

  • Cargo bike standard nears completion
  • Europe awaits finalisation of battery regulation
  • FTA to push Thailand as bicycle supplier
  • Reform of EU Competition Law completed
The Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique (CENELEC) in Brussels is currently assessing whether there is sufficient support to adopt the VDMA 24994 as the standard across the European Union for safe e-bike battery storage. – Photo Tweewieler

Will German standard for e-bike battery storage soon apply across...

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Which battery cabinet provides sufficient protection when an e-bike battery catches fire? Many bicycle industry entrepreneurs are uncertain about the products available. The German VDMA 24994 standard is intended to help separate the good from the bad. According to Bart van de Broek of Dutch financial services provider Nationale-Nederlanden, it will soon be clear whether this standard will also apply across all of Europe.

Fatbikes like the Ouxi V8 which was labelled as an 'unauthorised' vehicle, are the reason for the introduction of a quality mark. - Photo Bike Europe

Fatbike import rule-bending triggers stricter conditions in the...

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - Imports of fatbikes which do not comply with EN standards and road safety regulations has prompted the Dutch bicycle industry organization RAI Association to introduce a new e-bike quality mark. The use of illegal and tweaked fatbikes has caused a major increase in e-bike accidents and a lot of irritation amongst the Dutch public.

The survey aims to find out how the anti-dumping duties on Chinese components have presented challenges for many European manufacturers and assemblers. - Photo Shutterstock

European e-bike industry invited to participate in anti-dumping survey

GENT, Belgium - Trade association LEVA-EU is inviting e-bike manufacturers and assemblers across Europe to participate in a newly launched survey. The survey is designed to gather insights on the impact of European anti-dumping duties on bicycle components imported from China, aiming to provide a clearer understanding of how these tariffs affect the industry's competitiveness, business operations, and market growth.

On a European scale, CEN (European Committee for Standardization) is working on standards for (e-)cargo bikes to align with the Machinery Directive. – Photo Shutterstock

LEV framework in the Netherlands faces further delays

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands - The Dutch Light Electric Vehicles (LEV) framework has been postponed once more, according to the RAI Association, the professional organization for (e-)bike manufacturers in the Netherlands. Initially set to take effect on January 1, 2025, the framework is now delayed until July 2025. Implementation of the new framework will have implications for amongst others, e-cargobike users in the country.