VanMoof’s V: The electric bicycle that’s so fast it breaks UK laws
Dutch electric bike manufacturer VanMoof has revealed its first ‘hyperbike’ – and it looks great. But there’s a problem. It’s too fast to ride on UK roads and cycle paths.
If you’re in the know about the rules and regulations surrounding electric bikes, you’ll be aware that UK law currently restricts all pedalassist machines to a maximum speed of 15.5mph. That doesn’t mean that the bikes can’t go faster than that, but once you hit the limit the electric assist stops working and any extra momentum is gained from pedal power alone (or gravity if you’re going downhill).
That’s not a problem for most electric bike manufacturers. They know the rules and play by them. But VanMoof has decided 15.5mph just isn’t enough, and has created a bike that’s capable of helping you go even faster. More specifically, the VanMoof V will be able to reach a top speed of 31mph (which is double the current legal limit).
There’s a reason for it though. VanMoof has taken a calculated risk, hoping that by the time it starts shipping the bike at the end of next year, there might be a change to the rules which would mean that commuters would be able to use it on the road. Although there’s been no news of such a thing happening at this stage, the electric market is constantly evolving, and quite often it’s the regulations that are last to catch up.
VanMoof reckons its new V electric bike could be a perfect alternative to a car for those living in built-up urban environments, and it believes that the faster speeds (coupled with an extended range) would make it more plausible for more people to commute. It makes perfect sense to us, but whether or not the UK Government see it the same way remains to be seen.
Speaking about the news, Ties Carlier, Co-Founder of VanMoof, said: “The VanMoof V is our first hyperbike, an e-bike dedicated to higher speed and longer distance. I believe this new type of high-speed e-bike can fully replace scooters and cars in the city by 2025.”
At this stage VanMoof hasn’t confirmed the exact specifications of its newest bike, but it has revealed it’ll get a 700 Wh capacity battery. If we take a look at VanMoof ’s S3 which has a 504 Wh and an estimated range of 37-93 miles, it seems plausible that the VanMoof V could be capable of covering over 120 miles from a single charge. That’d be more than enough for any city slickers looking to commute on two wheels. More evidence that the VanMoof V has been designed for longer rides is the redesigned frame which is complemented by front and rear suspension (which is a first for a VanMoof machine).
It’ll also get built-in theft protection, which is essentially a sensor which will automatically trigger an alarm if it detects that someone is attempting to move the bike after it has been locked up (using the VanMoof app). Riders will also be able to track its location using the ‘Find My’ app which is built in to all Apple products (but there’s no news about what to do if you have an Android OS).
There’s no doubt the bike is a serious proposition which could make commuting by electric bike even easier. However, whether or not it’ll be legal by the time it goes on sale remains to be seen.