this post was submitted on 24 Feb 2026
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Some sort of licensing might be appropriate above a certain power level, but a driver's licence is not really relevant to riding a bike.
You have to demonstrate an understanding of road rules and signage to get a driver's licence, which is pretty relevant.
I agree it would be better if there was a separate licensing system - one that would allow younger people to access some categories of e-bike - and I imagine we will in the long-run, but using existing systems as a stop-gap doesn't seem unreasonable.
The problem is that overly onerous requirements will discourage even more people taking up biking, in a time where absurd numbers of people drive literally everywhere.
I can understand the throttle based e-bikes requiring a license, but limiting pedelacs which are no more powerful than conventional bikes is ridiculous and feels like a moral panic type action.
They are not banning them for adults. Anyone who drives on the roads should have a driver's license of some form, and anything too fast for pedestrian paths should be driven on the roads only. Maybe they should limit and classify e-bikes by top speed, not power. It wold be reasonable fist step.
I'm not against licencing for ebikes, especially if it allows 35 km/h top speeds (25 is a bit slow really).
Needing a car to get the licence, is a bit silly though