A speed pedelec is an electric bicycle that provides pedalling assistance of up to 45 kilometers per hour. In other words: you can ride a speed pedelec at 45 kilometers per hour. To reach this speed, you usually have to pedal hard. As with the standard electric bike, the pedal assistance is electric. This means that you are dealing with a battery that consumes power during the ride and thus provides pedalling assistance for a limited number of kilometers. The number of kilometers you can cycle depends on the brand and the assistance you set; you can usually choose, for example, high, medium or normal assistance.

What rules apply to the speed pedelec?

The speed pedelec falls under the category of mopeds. This means that speed pedelecs must ride on the carriageway within built-up areas, where the speed limit is 45 km/h. If there is a combined cycle/moped path, speed pedelecs drive there at a maximum speed of 30 km/h.

Outside built-up areas, speed pedelecs belong on the combined cycle/moped path, there you are allowed to drive 40 km/h. If there is no combined cycle/moped path, the speed pedelec rides on the carriageway at a maximum speed of 45 km/h.

The driver must always wear an approved helmet on the speed pedelec. The speed pedelec must have a yellow moped licence plate.

By law, a moped and therefore also a speed pedelec must have a rear-view mirror.

The driver must have at least a moped driving licence (licence AM).

A speed pedelec must have at least third-party liability (WA) insurance.

Article 1 of the RVV.

Speed pedelec: pedal-assisted electric moped whose drive power is maintained when the vehicle exceeds the speed of 25 km/h.

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