A curious tuning offence makes headlines in the BILD newspaper. An e-biker thunders past a police patrol in Augsburg with a casual pedal and without a helmet. The officers take up the chase and stop the man, the speedometer of the patrol car showing 45 km/h in the meantime. The man later admits that the standard e-bike supports up to 99.9 km/h thanks to a tuning set. The driver is also drunk and has already had to surrender his driving licence on another occasion.
Upward trend: more and more tuning kits sold in Germany*
- 2018: 50,000 tuning kits for 1.0 million pedelecs sold (5 per cent)
- 2019: 70,000 tuning kits for 1.4 million pedelecs sold (5 per cent)
- 2020: 200,000 tuning kits for 2.0 million pedelecs sold (10 per cent)
- 2021: 140,000 tuning kits for 2.0 million pedelecs sold (7 per cent)
- 2022: 265,000 tuning kits with 2.2 million pedelecs sold (12 per cent)
*Figures are based on extrapolations after consultation with individual shops that sell tuning kits. Source: Ernst Brust for SAZ Bike
Poor chances of detection, high number of unreported cases: police overwhelmed by tuning offences
However, it is relatively rare for tuning offenders to be caught by the police. This is because unless the biker is passing a patrol at a significantly higher speed, it is often difficult for officers to detect tuning. The tuning kits are usually hidden in the engine compartment and can only be accessed with tools, and many systems can be switched on and off via an app or certain key combinations.
Unfortunately, the opinion persists that e-bike tuning is a trivial offence. Who hasn't been annoyed by the 25 km/h limit when going fast? However, tuning can have serious consequences for the individual. In the event of accidents, you are liable, drive manufacturers can usually detect tuning after the fact and then refuse to repair the motor and battery. Regardless of whether this is within or outside the warranty.
And there is also the threat of consequences for e-bikers in general, especially for e-mountain biking. At least that's what Ernst Brust, an expert on electric bikes and former managing director of the German Bicycle Industry Association, warns. We spoke to Brust about the risks and possible ways out of the tuning trap.
E-bikers' rights at risk: interview with Ernst Brust, expert witness
EMTB: Are e-bikes in Germany really being tuned more and more frequently?
Ernst Brust: As an expert witness, I am often consulted for expert opinions for the police and public prosecutor's office. Two to three times a week for tuning. 265,000 tuning kits were sold in Germany in 2022. Five times as many as in 2018, which is alarming.
There seems to be a need for pedelecs that are faster than 25 km/h...
Many people have lost their sense of speed. If you hit an obstacle at 25 km/h, you already have a problem and many riders no longer have their bike under control even at 25 km/h. Only very well-trained riders are permanently faster without a motor. The average consumer should be under no illusions.
265,000 tuning kits were sold in Germany in 2022. Five times as many as in 2018, which is alarming.
The sale of tuning kits is not prohibited. What's the problem with that?
Tuned bikes are only legal on private property. In road traffic, there is a risk of penalties, including the withdrawal of a driving licence, and insurance cover is also invalidated.
Especially a problem in the event of accidents, right?
Exactly. Just because the bike was tuned, you are no longer insured and have to bear all the consequential costs of the accident yourself. Incidentally, regardless of whether the tuning was the cause of the accident or not. In the event of serious injuries and permanent damage, there is a very real risk of private insolvency.
You do a lot of off-road riding with the E-MTB. Does that make a difference?
The forest is not private land either and the atmosphere is tense anyway. I don't want to see e-biking in the countryside banned completely because of a few black sheep with tuned bikes.
Tuning kits are often fitted directly to the engine. How high is the chance of being caught with a tuned bike?
Unfortunately, this is low. The police officers have to be specially trained and unscrewing the motor cover on all e-bikes in an inspection on suspicion is simply not realistic. There are a few tricks for recognising tuning, but again they only work for specific tuning kits. My idea: The manufacturers are obliged to prevent tuning anyway. They would have to offer a standardised interface with which the energy consumption over the last few kilometres can be read out during a check. Due to the high air resistance, an e-bike needs much more energy at 40 km/h than at 25 km/h. That would make things pretty clear.
I don't want to see e-biking in the countryside banned completely because of a few black sheep with tuned bikes.
Why not put a complete stop to tuning?
I clearly see the legislator as having a duty here. This legal loophole jeopardises micro-mobility as a whole and therefore also the transport transition. France is showing how to take effective action against tuning. There, the sale, installation or use of tuning kits is now punishable by a fine of up to 30,000 euros and a year in prison! Drive manufacturers could also do more to curb tuning.
No tolerance for e-bike tuning: EMTB takes a stand
We as the editorial team for years clearly against illegal e-bike tuning. Not to mention the risks that each individual bears: Speed chips damage the public image of e-bikers and e-mountain bikers and therefore jeopardise the rights of us all!
Adrian Kaether
Editor
