What is a speed pedelec? Rules, license, and insurance

A speed pedelec looks like a regular e-bike but goes much faster. The pedal assistance continues up to 45 km/h instead of 25. That sounds attractive, but there is more involved than with a regular bike.

Good to know before you choose, because a speed pedelec falls under very different rules than a fatbike with pedal assistance up to 25 km/h. Below you can read exactly what a speed pedelec is, what you need, and who it is suitable for.

What makes a speed pedelec different?

With a speed pedelec, also called S-Pedelec, the motor assists you up to 45 km/h. Legally, it is no longer a bike but a moped. A regular pedelec stops assisting at 25 km/h and remains a bike. That 20 km/h difference determines almost all the rules that follow. If you want to know how a regular pedelec works, read what is a pedelec.

Otherwise, they are similar: you both pedal yourself and the motor assists. Only the limit is higher for a speed pedelec, which requires heavier materials, better brakes, and a sturdier frame.

What do you need for a speed pedelec?

Because it is a moped, stricter requirements apply in Germany. You need an insurance plate, which you renew every year. You need at least an AM driving license, and anyone with a regular car license may also ride. A helmet is mandatory, and you must be at least 16 years old.

Where you ride also changes. With a speed pedelec, you ride on the roadway, not the bike path, unless a sign explicitly allows it. In short, it feels like cycling but the rules resemble those of a moped.

Is a speed pedelec right for you?

If you ride long distances on the road and want to ride quickly, a speed pedelec might suit you, provided you accept the paperwork. For daily use in and around the city, a regular fatbike with support up to 25 km/h is usually more convenient: no license plate, no insurance, no helmet requirement, and just on the bike path.

We focus on that second group. Most fatbikes with us are pedelecs up to 25 km/h, not speed pedelecs. A single model is purely intended for off-road and not allowed on public roads, which is stated with the model. If you want to see what that entails, look in the fatbike collection or read how fast an e-bike can go.

Read more: What is a pedelec? · How fast can an e-bike go? · Insuring a fatbike · Fatbike rules · What is a fatbike?

View directly: fatbike collection · e-bikes · skinnybikes