What rules apply to speed pedelecs?

You see it more and more, Dutch people going to their destination with a speed pedelec. The speed pedelec is the faster version of the well-known e-bike. With a speed pedelec you can easily go up to 45 kilometers per hour.

This allows you to easily cover longer distances with this electric two-wheeler without it costing you any effort.

The fact that the speed pedelec is becoming increasingly popular is also clear from the numbers. According to CBS, in 2021 there were already more than 10,620 speed pedelecs driving around in the Netherlands. Among these bicycles there were many speed pedelecs from the Stromer brand, which was also the best-selling speed pedelec in 2021. It is mainly people between 45 and 65 years who choose the speed pedelec and with this also two thirds of the fast electric own bicycles. But in 2022 we will see that the bicycle is also becoming increasingly popular among the younger age.

But which rules now apply to the speed pedelec?

Because the development of e-bikes such as the Gazelle Orange C7 Plus and the speed pedelecs has gone so fast, the legislation did not keep up and kept chasing it again and again. It was therefore a big question mark for many people, especially for speed pedelecs, what exactly the rules were for this bike. Finally, from 2017, clarity came about the rules surrounding the speed pedelec, the speed pedelec was regarded by the government as a moped. The legislation that applies to mopeds therefore also applies to speed pedelecs. With this, the rules for the speed pedelec were finally clear, but which rules now apply to the speed pedelec?

Rules for using speed pedelec

• Be at least 16 years old
• Have a moped driving license (type AM)
• Wear an approved moped helmet or an approved speed pedelec helmet
• Have civil liability (WA) insurance
• Have the registration certificate with you
• Ride on the bicycle/moped path. Or on the roadway. You are therefore not allowed to ride on the bicycle path.

Maximum speed speed pedelec

The following maximum speeds apply to a speed pedelec:

• 45 km/h on the carriageway.
• On the bicycle/moped path outside the built-up area 40 km/h.
• On the bicycle/moped path within built-up areas 30 km/h.

Equipment that a speed pedelec must have

A speed pedelec has:

• A yellow moped license plate
• A left rear view mirror
• A vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Relief
• Red and white/yellow reflectors