Is this legal

[airtime]

Hi all,
I had my first ride of an electric mountain bike today and wow so much power. I've riden motoX bikes all my life and I like the feel of them better.
My question, Is it legal to ride a modefied or custom made frame with an electric motor on the road if it does not have pedals but motor bike style pegs instead
in Australia?
I'm new to this electric stuff , but would like to convert a down hill mountain bike to electric and take off the pedals.

cheers Astan

 

[Kepler]

As long as its no more than 200W which I am tipping the bike you rode isnt .

My advice is, keep the pedals on and pedal like crazy when passing anyone remotely official looking.

 

[whatever]

the limit in australia has changed very recently to 250watt continuous which is approx 750watt peak power,
but speed limited to 25km/hr with motor power alone,
find the thread on 200watt power limit and have a read of the last few pages and decide from there.

 

[airtime]

As long as its no more than 200W which I am tipping the bike you rode isnt .

My advice is, keep the pedals on and pedal like crazy when passing anyone remotely official looking.

But I like the feel off Pegs better...Damm

 

[Sunder]

In NSW, the bike must be primarily propelled by human power, and only assisted by a motor. What this means in court is so far unclear, but there has been at least one case, where the judge asked the defendant whether she pedaled most the time, and she admitted she only pedals when the battery runs flat. Therefore, he ruled that her bike was not pedal assisted, but actually a motor vehicle.

In NSW at least, removing the pedals would make the bike a motorcycle and require registration.

 

[dogman dan]

The real question is, does anybody care where you live? In particular, any cops hate you already?

On the other hand, adjusting to pedals should take you about 5 min, if you are a real wheelman. Just ride till you are used to pedals, even if it takes longer than 5 min. Always good to at least superficially appear legal.

 

[airtime]

Good point, thanks for the help guys,appreciated.
Now I just need to learn how to build one.

I'm gonna try and find a old Norco mountain bike,
Any suggestions what wood be a good setup for off road
Trail riding.

 

[sn0wchyld]

Good point, thanks for the help guys,appreciated.
Now I just need to learn how to build one.

I'm gonna try and find a old Norco mountain bike,
Any suggestions what wood be a good setup for off road
Trail riding.

are you talking bike trails? like decent surfaces, and moderate hills? if so, go with a hub motor.

if not, you'll want a mid drive (a motor that sits on the frame and drives the rear wheel via either the cranks or directly via a chain)

check out my norko (link in my sig) for a bike that's great on light trails and on road... but suffers on the real rough stuff. I'm chaining it to a mid drive though as I get time.
For some mid drive ideas have a look at the 'non hub motors' threads http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=28 lots of ideas there.

 

[airtime]

A mid mount is what I'm after. I'm talking trails that we ride on with motox bikes.
What would be a great setup to go on a Norco mountain bike.
Asto