So, to
try and keep it brief, last year I wondered what options were out there for me getting a new bicycle. Maybe not a true mountain bike but one that would take some off-road abuse, and seeing as a) I'm lazy and a) I'm the wrong side of 50 then perhaps an electric one??
Ah, the
Rad Power RadRhino looked appealing (even if a hard-tail) but wait...it was only available in the states. Screw the import fees and all that. My heart rate slowed and I forgot about it.
Fast forward to 2018 and I see they're now available in the EU with free shipping. And at £1200 not out of reach. Reading more.. 750W motor, max speed 25kmh, 40-70 km range, speedo, odometer, lights, including brake light, 7-speed. Hmmm. The rear rack is a bit pants but that would come off...
...except not, because due to the size of the motor the bike is a
L1E-A category bike. This means in the UK you
must complete a DVLA registration, which means it needs a rear number plate!
DVLA Registration
- Request a DVLA V267 and V55/4 form.
- Rad Power Bikes will send you a sample V267 and V55/4 form to assist you with filling out your own as well as instructions for how to request them.
- You will need to send by post the following items to the address printed on the DVLA V55/4 form:
- Completed V55/4 form
- Completed V267 form
- Check or postal order for £55
- Copy of an identification document
- Copy of a document that confirms your address
- Copy of the Certificate of Conformity (CoC) that comes with the bike
- DVLA will take up to 30 days to register the bike and will inform you once the registration is complete.
- Once the bike is registered, you will need to have a license plate made.
- The rider must have a valid drivers license.
Also, you must have liability insurance. Whatever that'll cost.
How pants would it look riding a mountain bike that had a rear number plate! Not sure I'm really interested now.
Fuck this country and it's nanny-state laws. It's a fucking bicycle :/