Electric Bike Throttle Conversion?

[33q]

Some years ago we had electric bikes and they had the option of being able to determine the amount of assistance in some way or simply twist the right grip and it was similar to a moped requiring no pedalling. After little use we sold them.

Yesterday my wife's friend asked if we could sell her almost new electric bike. I picked it up and noticed there is no twist grip feature only graduated assistance.

Just advertised it on FB Marketplace and hey ho...first question...does it have a twist throttle? Seemed to be a deal breaker.

Have the rules changed?

Can you buy a kit to add a throttle feature?

Thanks

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

I believe that they cant have a throttle and still be considered a pushbike. Road legal ebikes will only have assistance.

Conversions kits that are probably technically illegal have them, but an OEM bike from a reputable. manufacturer wont.

I would imagine most people are aware of this, the person that messaged you just doesn't fancy pedaling I would imagine.

[33q]

Chainsaw Rebuild said:

I believe that they cant have a throttle and still be considered a pushbike. Road legal ebikes will only have assistance.

Conversions kits that are probably technically illegal have them, but an OEM bike from a reputable. manufacturer wont.

I would imagine most people are aware of this, the person that messaged you just doesn't fancy pedaling I would imagine.

I'm going back 10 years or so. Certainly the two bikes we had were bought on-line and were not modified in any way. Instruction book explained the function etc. I did some research back in the day and all bikes seemed to have a throttle as standard.

[Catchme]

Ebikes sold in the EU and Europe since 2016 are pedal assist only. You can add a throttle to a hub system. Mid drive motors are more problematic to retrofit since you have to pedal to get the motor working.

If you are adding a throttle, you might want to add some brakes that disconnect the motor when you pull the brake levers for additional safety (in case the throttle jams in the on position).

[33q]

Catchme said:

Ebikes sold in the EU and Europe since 2016 are pedal assist only. You can add a throttle to a hub system. Mid drive motors are more problematic to retrofit since you have to pedal to get the motor working.

If you are adding a throttle, you might want to add some brakes that disconnect the motor when you pull the brake levers for additional safety (in case the throttle jams in the on position).

Thanks. That explains it. Ours were 2011 ish. It is a hub motor but I'm not interested in actually doing anything...just is it possible etc. I want the thing gone!