You are driving through the center of your city and a bicycle passes you on the right. He pedals, not very fast, but moves easily. A few minutes later, another thing happens to you. It’s much faster and the guy who rides it doesn’t pedal. It looks more like a motorcycle than a bicycle. They are identical?
Let’s see, because there is a possible penalty in the technical differences. The General Directorate of Traffic, known as the DGT, distinguishes between electric bicycles and mopeds. One does not require a driver’s license or insurance, while the second does.
Shortly speaking, one is a human-powered vehicle assisted by an electric motor, and the other is a bicycle-like electric motorcycle.. The damage that one can inflict on another in the event of an accident is determined by its legislation.
If we take an electric bike, DGT says there is no need to have a driver’s license or insurance. To differentiate this vehicle, it is enough to know that an electric bicycle must have pedals, which are the real engine of the vehicle, and with them an electric motor that acts as an assistant.
these cars they do not exceed the maximum speed of 25 km/h, and if it is exceeded, the electric motor stops pushing. In short, it’s a regular bike with an electric prop motor so you don’t have to pedal all the time.
On the other hand, those bicycle-like electric vehicles that can move without having to pedalthat the electric motor pushes all the time and that its top speed of 45 km/h is considered a mopedand the DGT requires drivers to have a license and insurance.
In Spain, this type of vehicle is up to 50 cc. they can be driven with an AM card (formerly a moped license), which is obtained from the age of 15. Yes, you need to register them and have insurance covering at least damage to third parties. Because crashing at that speed is dangerous.
The fines for driving a vehicle classified as a moped, no matter how similar it is to an electric bicycle, without any permit or license for it range from 100 to 1000 euros. And the sanction may even include imprisonment for a term of 3 to 6 months.
Source: Computer Hoy
