Pedelec tuning is not a trivial offence. Nevertheless, tuning kits are openly offered on the Internet that can make bikes significantly faster than they are. are already. Small electronic boxes are used to override the motor choke on the software side. You hardly need any manual skills to install them. But be careful: If the legal limits are exceeded (maximum rated motor power 250 watts, maximum speed 25 km/h), pedelecs are no longer considered bicycles. They are then motor vehicles subject to registration and insurance. Anyone caught riding a customised pedelec on public roads risks drastic penalties.
Anyone who tunes their pedelec illegally risks a lot
ADFC legal expert Roland Huhn explains why this is the case: "Anyone who leaves private property on a tuned two-wheeler is travelling without an operating licence. This is an administrative offence under § 4 and § 48 of the Vehicle Registration Ordinance. Because the rider cannot produce the required liability insurance with insurance licence plates, they are also committing a criminal offence under Section 6 of the Compulsory Insurance Act and risk a prison sentence of up to one year or a fine. Whether the driver also lacks the necessary driving licence (at least class AM, from the age of 16) is a question of the individual case."
Anyone involved in an accident with such a bike can also ruin themselves financially. This is because according to Section 7 of the Road Traffic Act, the owner of a motor vehicle is liable for damage during operation. "This also applies to the owner of a tuned pedelec. Motor vehicles are covered by liability insurance, but not tuned pedelecs without an operating licence," says Roland Huhn. "Even the personal liability insurance that covered the pedelec until the conversion does not pay. In addition to the increased liability, there is therefore an unlimited, uninsured liability for damages." Only the suppliers of the tuning kits are legally off the hook. As the sale of such equipment is not generally prohibited in Germany, it is sufficient to point out that the devices may not be used in public areas.
In addition to legal aspects, pedelec tuning weakens the riding safety of pedelecs because their operating limits are significantly exceeded. In the worst case, motor tuning favours serious accidents and thus jeopardises the privileged status of pedelecs. All the advantages that they legally enjoy as bicycles would then be a thing of the past. Bike tuners can also do a lot legally: lightweight add-on parts, Optimised circuit, Better ergonomics - all perfectly legal.
What the experts say about e-bike and pedelec tuning
"Tuning is a game of cat and mouse"
Suppliers of tuning kits are constantly thwarting efforts to prevent tuning. We spoke to Claus Fleischer, Managing Director at Bosch eBike Systems.
MYBIKE According to DIN EN 15194, manufacturers of pedelec drives must endeavour to prevent tampering with the systems. How does Bosch eBike Systems counteract attempts to tune the drive systems?
Butcher In addition to intensive public awareness and prevention work, we are also taking technical precautions against the tuning of our drive systems. Together with the German Bicycle Industry Association, we have initiated a voluntary commitment by the industry to take action against tuning. This resulted in the adaptation of the pedelec standard EN 15194 with the passage that e-bike systems must recognise themselves whether they are being tampered with in order to protect themselves or react appropriately. We have actively contributed to this standard and implement our anti-tuning measures on the basis of it.
How long has Bosch eBike Systems been implementing these measures?
Since 2018/2019, the software has included an algorithm that recognises tuning and manipulation of the eBike system. With the 2020 model year, we have further strengthened protection with our anti-tuning software: it recognises whether the eBike has been tuned while riding and switches it to emergency mode. The e-biker can restore the original riding status by riding for 90 minutes in emergency mode without the tuning kit. As soon as the system is back in normal mode, the manipulation query is repeated. After the third restoration, emergency operation can only be cancelled by the specialist dealer.
Preventing e-bike and pedelec tuning is a continuous process. How is Bosch eBike Systems adapting to this?
It really is a cat-and-mouse game, as we know it from computer viruses and antivirus software: we have a technical solution and the tuning providers respond to it. But we remain persistent, monitor the market and the available kits and are constantly developing our software further. We are also looking to discuss how the authorities can take legal action against tuning providers.
"Tuning threatens the pedelec as such"
Pedelecs could lose their privileged status as bicycles if accidents and violations of legal requirements occur too often. We spoke to bicycle expert Dipl.-Ing. Dirk Zedler about e-bike and pedelec tuning:
MYBIKE Why is it so easy to customise pedelecs?
Zedler In Germany, the sale of tuning kits is not prohibited. Suppliers merely have to point out to buyers that such equipment may not be operated in public areas. A ban on the sale of tuning kits, as exists in France for example, would make tuning pedelecs much more difficult.
Why is it dangerous to ride a tuned pedelec?
Pedelecs are designed for a nominal motor output of 250 watts and motor assistance up to a maximum of 25 km/h. If these operating limits are exceeded, safety-relevant components such as frames, wheels, stems, seat posts, etc. can fail. This can lead to serious accidents. And: the higher the speed in the event of a fall or collision, the more serious the injuries are usually.
How will tuning affect the future of the pedelec?
The pedelec is an exceptionally privileged vehicle. It is motorised, but is not subject to registration or insurance. At the same time, it is categorised by law as a bicycle - with all the advantages that this entails. If the bikes are tampered with and their operating limits illegally overridden, the pedelec is at risk of losing this unique status.
Tuning and its legal consequences
- Operation in road traffic is prohibited
- Operating limits are exceeded
- Material wear increases
- The range is reduced
- Warranty and guarantee expire
- The insurance cover expires
- Specialist dealers refuse repairs
- Tuning jeopardises the classification of the pedelec as a bicycle
