Attention cyclist! Take your cautions if you ride an e-bike, because will be forbidden the circulation of e-bikes in bike paths. In addition, will be mandatory to have license plates, as the use of a certified helmet.
Do you want to know more about it? We are going to give you all the details… If you as cyclist prefer conventional bike… We invite you to join us, we will give you all the details to transit healthily.
E-bikes, can or can’t circulate in bike routes?
Reglamento de Tránsito de la Ciudad de México (Transit Rules of Mexico City) consider as motorized vehicles, the transports with motor that exceed 15 mph.
On the other hand, those vehicles which maximum speed don’t exceed this limit whether are or not boost by motor, aren’t considered motorized vehicles.
In Mexico, any non-motorized vehicle, from bikes to rollerblades, and even loading trolleys and wheelchairs, can circulate by bike paths. Under this rule, e-bikes can circulate within bike paths, but without exceed the 15 mph.
In addition, any person who drives a transport of this kind is not obliged to use a helmet. The use of it is only applied when talking about vehicles able to exceed the already mentioned sped limit.
So, what is the dilemma?
The conditions to differentiate a motorized vehicle from a non-motorized one are clear… Recently has arose a great problem: many of them are able to exceed the 15mph.
In most of the cases is about electric motorbikes, in others, e-bikes. Both are increasing their presence in streets, for some people has become an inconvenient.
As reported, many of them circulate in sidewalks, in opposite way or at high speed. This aspect, in addition gets more severe, taking children on these vehicles without helmet.
The same case occurs when using bike paths, even though are e-bikes and motorcycles, circulate within these lanes to a speed higher than 15mph.
By exceeding that speed, would be considered as motorized vehicles. In this case need to have a driver’s license.
What does authority says?
In accordance to that, there isn’t so much to explain when you already have a specific rule in Transit Rules of Mexico City (CDMX). The Secretaría de Movilidad (Semovi) (Secretariat of Mobility) has clear that:
“Electric motorcycles or e-bikes which technical features indicate are able to exceed the 15.5 mph must comply with the standards established in the Transit Rules of Mexico City, as conventional motorcycles and moped scooters.
It’s also clarified that being considered as motorized vehicles, can be sent to impound lot if incur in the above-mentioned offenses.
To this, Andrés Lajous, head of Semovi require sellers and buyers of e-bikes & e-motorcycles to check technical features and maximum speeds.
“Its very important that citizenship is informed about these vehicles, such as users, sellers and buyers. Transit rules establish that maximum speed for a vehicle to be considered a non-motorized vehicle even though has a motor, is to drive at 15 mph. It’s established in the transit rules, meaning, those with a greater speed than 15 mph are considered motorcycles, even if is an electric motor. Therefore, need to have a license plate a helmet depending on the vehicle features”, said.
Will electric bikes be regulated?
The SSC of CDMX mentioned they will work on the regularization of electric vehicles that exceed 15 mph. For that, ask users of these transports to stick to the current rules.
Even though this isn’t official yet, a post by X, SSC clarified that is matter of time to regulate motorcycles and electric bikes with these features in a near future. “Keep on mind that when regulated the speed limit, if your electric bike exceeds the 15 mph you must comply with the rules of a motorized vehicle”, as read on the post.
In this case, both transports need license plates and can’t circulate within pedestrian and cyclist spaces, as bike paths too.
Likewise, motorists must use the correct safety equipment, as their passengers.
Now that you are conscious about this situation. If you want to buy an e-bike, make sure this comply with the conditions to don’t consider it a motorcycle.
