Nicosia, Cyprus. Police said on Monday they are increasingly detecting electric bicycles that have been modified to exceed the legal speed limit. Importers and authorities raised concerns that some models sold as compliant are later altered to travel far faster than allowed.
Modifications after sale
Concerns have been raised over electric bicycles that appear compliant at the point of sale but are later altered to travel at speeds far beyond the 25km/hr limit set by law. Vehicles exceeding those limits are not permitted to circulate as bicycles.
Importers said many bicycles are legally imported and sold with speed restrictions locked into their systems. “They leave the shop fully compliant at 25km/h,” one company said, but users “easily unlock the settings and reach speeds up to three times the legal limit”.
Complaints to authorities
According to complaints submitted to the police and the transport ministry, some two-wheelers sold as electric bicycles are, in practice, high-powered electric motorcycles, with outputs of 800 to 2,000 watts and top speeds of 45 to 60km/hr.
Safety and compliance concerns
Importers warned that these vehicles lack certification, registration, insurance and technical inspection, creating “a direct risk for drivers, pedestrians and third parties”.
They also said the practice distorts competition, disadvantaging businesses that comply with the law, and may raise issues of unfair trade linked to EU anti-dumping rules on Chinese electric bicycles.
Police response
Police confirmed they are aware of the problem and have stepped up inspections. “We have observed vehicles circulating on the road network whose use is not permitted under the legislation,” a police spokesman said.
Have you noticed modified electric bicycles exceeding the legal speed limit where you live?
