A fantastic idea: a vehicle that is so fast that it can also be used as a means of transport for medium distances of up to around 25 kilometres and can just about keep up in city traffic, but is still as manoeuvrable as a bicycle. It avoids traffic jams during rush hour, is fun to ride and, just like the pedelec, provides exercise and therefore sustainable health benefits. The S-Pedelec is - in theory - this vehicle. The drive supports up to 45 kilometres per hour, otherwise the S-Pedelec works just like a classic 25. The technology is the same, apart from the motor power and a few details (see interview). Many motors are very easily "upgraded" by the manufacturer to 45 km/h support. The S-Pedelec does not have to be heavier or more difficult to ride. However, a permanently significantly higher speed requires more riding safety. Externally, a large mandatory rear-view mirror and the licence plate distinguish the bike from a normal e-bike.

Bad times for the S-pedelec

It all sounds great, but so far it's just a dream in Germany: the real life of the S-pedelec rider is usually different. They have to take long detours, take risks on fast roads and sometimes only reach their destination by committing an offence. The main reason for this: Unlike the pedelec, the fast bike is not legally a bicycle, but a vehicle - with different rules. The most important ones: it may not use a cycle path and must ride on the carriageway, it may not ride in the opposite direction through one-way streets that are open to cyclists, and it can even only use cycle lanes if they are open to motor vehicles - after all, it is a vehicle. Even if this sounds like a minor flaw: In practice, this is a real challenge for the S-pedelec rider.

One kilometre and three traffic lights instead of 100 metres

An example from my own experience: A combined cycle/walking path leads out of my neighbourhood onto the shopping street. I am not allowed to use this in everyday S-pedelec use. I have to take a diversion of over 1.2 kilometres and three traffic lights (approx. seven minutes) to get to where I can be by bike in less than a minute. Stupid example? It gets even more stupid: if you want to get from one side of the Rhine in Düsseldorf to the other - whether you are commuting to work or travelling in your free time - you can only do so via one of the four multi-lane bridges. These are approved for 60 kilometres per hour - which drivers do not always adhere to. Something for strong nerves and good guardian angels. The dyke paths to the north and south, fantastic cycle commuter routes, are almost always combined cycle and footpaths - so there is no such thing. The rule here is to take busy roads through the suburbs and be able to deal with annoyed motorists in the passages in between. Many agricultural roads are also off-limits to cars - and therefore unfortunately also to speed pedelecs. However, it would often be possible to rededicate these paths. This would also reduce traffic congestion.

Country bumpkins have an advantage

The S-pedelec can also show its advantages here - if you are lucky in your region. If you live in the countryside and want to use an S-pedelec to commute to work, you sometimes have a good chance: the further away a larger city is, the less traffic there often is on the country roads. Here, as long as the roads are wide enough for comfortable overtaking, you are often safer and more relaxed on an S-pedelec than in the city centre. Occasionally, slightly larger roads are accompanied by parallel paths that are not designated as cycle paths and are therefore authorised for S-pedelecs. Speaking of cycle paths: using them on a fast bike is tempting, but dangerous. Not only because of the 15 euro fine if you are caught: In the event of an accident, it can quickly lead to problems with the insurance company. There is also additional trouble if you have deliberately travelled on the path without a sign. Shortcuts along country lanes and farm tracks are a good option if there are no "No through traffic" or cycle path signs blocking the way. If you are unsure which roads are authorised for vehicles, you should check with your local authority. The individual federal states differ in their authorisation. In our south-western neighbours, the S-pedelec is an important part of daily traffic.

Learning from the European S-Pedelec paradises

26,000 S-Pedelecs were sold in Switzerland in 2023. That is 15 per cent of all e-bikes sold. By comparison, the total number of pedelecs sold in Germany was 2.1 million. According to the Zweirad Industrie Verband ZIV, just under 1 per cent of these were S-pedelecs, i.e. around 20,000. In Switzerland, the fast bike is mainly used as a commuter vehicle. One of the reasons for the differences between countries is the obligation to use cycle paths in Switzerland. Here, S-Pedelecs must be ridden on the cycle path where available.

S-pedelecs in road traffic - what's the problem?

The federal states, cities and municipalities have the power to decide how traffic space is used. Until now, however, they have not been able to simply give cycling much more space. In fact, cycle lanes, new cycle paths or even the approval of cycle paths for S-pedelecs have been extremely difficult, explains Michael Müller, transport policy spokesman for the VCD (Verkehrsclub Deutschland). The legal requirement for this was set out in the Road Traffic Act: the flow of motorised traffic must not be affected. "It was only easier for local authorities to make changes when it was demonstrably about quantifiable safety." In other words, the saying "Something bad has to happen first for something to be changed" has so far been the sad truth when planning new cycle paths or creating cycle lanes or redesignating them as cycle lanes and the like.

Light at the end of the tunnel

With the recently amended Road Traffic Act, municipalities and federal states can also argue in specific cases with climate and environmental protection purposes as well as urban development when it comes to redesigning infrastructure. And what is more conducive to climate protection than many more people riding bikes, pedelecs or even S-pedelecs?

So there is light at the end of the tunnel. Cities can now use climate protection as a good argument when it comes to new or rededicated paths for bikes or pedelecs. And also for rededications for the S-pedelec. "The demonstrable danger situation is no longer fundamentally necessary." However, Müller also emphasises: "In practical terms, it is still difficult because it is complex to improve the position of bicycles and pedestrians in individual cases. But local authorities have to take a bold step and just do it," he postulates, "then it will work." Of course, this always depends on the will of the people in the individual institutions. The city of Tübingen set an example years ago: The Mayor of Tübingen, Boris Palmer, managed to open up many cycle paths for fast bikes, even within the old Road Traffic Act, with a great deal of assertiveness, thus creating a small S-pedelec oasis in Germany.

Now it's the turn of the local authority mobility experts. We all know that the mills often grind slowly, but we are confident that things will soon change in this area too. After all, it would be fatal not to utilise the potential of this ingenious vehicle.

S-Pedelec: legal regulations

The S-Pedelec is legally a vehicle, more precisely designated as a light motorbike with two wheels, L1e-B. An operating licence from the Federal Motor Transport Authority is required for the bike. The motor of the S-Pedelec may provide assistance up to 45 kilometres per hour. A (defined) rear-view mirror is mandatory.

• Rated power: maximum 4,000 watts
• Tyres: with ECE-R75 approval, tread depth at least one millimetre
• Driving licence required: yes, at least class AM (scooter)
• Trailer operation: prohibited
• Age rating: yes, from 16 years
• Alcohol limit: yes, 0.5 per mille
• Compulsory insurance: yes, incl. illuminated insurance licence plate
• Helmet compulsory: yes, note: no clear specifications for helmet type
• Only parts registered in the licence can be retrofitted - simply replacing the handlebars is not possible!

>> Which pedelec drive suits which rider?

>> Powerful thrust: pedelec drives in a comparison test

Dirk Zedler: "We need to rethink the S-pedelec"

Dirk Zedler is an expert for bicycles and pedelecs and founder of Prüfinstitut Zedler. We asked him what technically distinguishes the S-pedelec from the pedelec.

MYBIKE: What technical features does the S-Pedelec need to have?

Zedler: S-pedelecs are vehicles and therefore require an operating licence. Manufacturers often use very high-quality components for these vehicles. Mainly original spare parts must be used for maintenance work. For tyres, for example, you need replacement tyres of the same dimensions and with UN ECE-R 75 approval. You can find more detailed information on spare parts in our "Guide to replacing components on S-pedelecs". Many pedelecs have high beam and brake lights as standard, daytime running lights are mandatory, as are rear-view mirrors, reflectors, insurance licence plate illumination and a horn.

Does the chassis of a fast pedelec have to be designed differently to a pedelec?

The probability of getting into a demanding driving condition is significantly higher in a vehicle that is generally driven more quickly. Reputable suppliers design more reserves into the driving stability. Suspension forks and wide tyres should be part of the basic equipment.

Should the S-pedelec differ from the pedelec in other technical respects?

Mileage is often significantly higher than on a pedelec 25, so wear and tear is a huge issue that not all manufacturers are taking seriously. Brake pads and discs, chains and sprockets are still based on mechanical bikes. A rethink is needed here.

>> Study: Pedelec and bicycle accidents in comparison

How the S-Pedelec is becoming a hit - and a driving force behind the transport revolution

• Open up suitable cycle paths and cycle lanes for this purpose. S-pedelec riders should be able to avoid car traffic jams on cycle paths like cyclists and be protected by clearly marked areas on roads where people drive fast.
• Allow the use of field, forest and farm tracks. Like cyclists, S-pedelecs should be able to use these paths, which are closed to cars, to realise safe and easy routes outside the city centre. The Federal Forest Act is currently being revised anyway.
• Carriage on public transport. Only with the modal split, i.e. the possibility of combining mobility types, can the S-pedelec pull out all the stops. The ban on taking them on the train is particularly inexplicable, as a pedelec is actually being transported in terms of the relevant technology.
• Define mandatory helmet use. Uncertainty about the "right" helmet often makes people shy away from making a decision.
• Allow trailer operation. This is important so that families can also switch from a car to an S-Pedelec for medium-distance journeys - for example as a daycare centre taxi.

S-Pedelecs in the check

Flyer Upstreet TRCF 763 HS

The Swiss company Flyer AG was founded in the early 1990s and was one of the pioneers of the pedelec. Flyer has been part of the Cologne-based ZEG (Zweirad-Einkaufsgenossenschaft) for seven years.

• Price: from 8,499 euros
• Performance: 800 watts, 85 Nm torque
• Battery: 700 watt hours
• Pinion-MGU (motor-gear unit) with 12 gears and fully automatic transmission
• Different versions available
• Weight: 27 kilogrammes

>> The Lemmo One: pedelec and organic bike in one

Riese and Müller Charger 4 Touring

The manufacturer Riese und Müller only produces pedelecs and S-pedelecs in Hesse (exception: Birdy folding bike). According to the press spokesman, the 25cc models are so elaborately and robustly constructed that they are also suitable as a basis for S-pedelecs (with the appropriate equipment).

• Price: from 6,049 euros >> available here
• Performance: Bosch Performance Line Speed, 600 watts, 85 Nm torque
• Battery: Bosch, 750 watt hours
• Weight: from 29.5 kilograms
• derailleur gears, Shimano Cues, 11-speed, suspension fork
• Extensively customisable

Stromer ST5 Pinion

The Swiss company MyStromer AG sees itself as a pioneer of the mobility revolution. It only manufactures S-Pedelecs and stands for fast commuter vehicles like hardly any other company.

• Price: 10,990 Euro
• Stromer rear wheel motor, 850 watts, 48 Newton metres
• Battery: 983 watt hours
• Electronically shifted 9-speed Pinion gearbox
• Maintenance-free belt drive
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
• Supernova M99 Pro 2 lighting with up to 1,900 lumens
• Optional: suspension fork, suspension seat post, etc.
• Weight: from 33 kg

HP Velotechnik Scorpion FS 26 S-Pedelec

HP Velotechnik is one of the few trike manufacturers that also offers its vehicles as S-Pedelecs. For commuters with long distances - and safe routes to work - this is certainly a sensible alternative to a two-wheeler. Incidentally, slightly different legal regulations apply here.

• Price: from 11,790 euros
• Performance: Neodrives Z20 RS, 500 watts, 40 Nm torque
• Battery: BMZ, 651 watt hours
• Weight: from 37 kilograms
• SRAM derailleur gears, 30-speed
• Elaborately constructed full suspension
• Front brakes act on both front wheels
• Indicator
• Extensively customisable