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Hi Everyone
With the new laws just passed regarding E-Scooters etc I thought I'd better check also regarding E-Bikes!
From the various searches it seems that as long as you have the throttle disconnected & use pedals only you dont need to register or have the bike insured correct?
Regards
Gary
I think that would make having an e-bike a bit pointless.
However, the legislation on insurance and registration of e-bikes only applies to "high performance" ones which are then treated as mopeds.
Standard, pedal assist e-bikes which have a maximum speed of 25kph and 250W and under with no throttle are exempt from these rules.
And if you have a high performance one as you mention disconnecting the throttle then Yes, a high-performance e-bike in Spain with the throttle disconnected still requires registration (matriculación), insurance, and a moped license if it exceeds 250W or continues assisting above 25 km/h. Spanish law classifies bikes exceeding these limits as mopeds, not bicycles. Simply removing the throttle does not change the classification if motor power or top speed limits are still surpassed.
Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2026 5:39pm
Legendary helpful member
I doubt the disconnection of the throttle cable would make any difference to the e-bike classification, it is most likely classified by the authorities on make and model.. What would stop someone just reconnecting the cable? Maybe if the parts that allowed the e-bike to exceed the 25kmh were removed it might be okay, but then as Marcliff says, what's the point of having it.
Probably better to investigate the costs involved in getting the e-bike registered and insured.
Rgds,
Aitch.
In short; if it has a throttle then it isn't really an e-bike, it's only that if you have to pedal to make it go. Otherwise it's a moped and as pointed out, subject to the rules and regulations governing those.
While on the subject, e-scooters which feature a seat are also automatically classified as mopeds.
Offences committed on such machines render you liable to fines and loss of points on a driving licence if you have one.
Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2026 7:14pm
Darro wrote on Thu Jan 29, 2026 5:50pm:
In short; if it has a throttle then it isn't really an e-bike, it's only that if you have to pedal to make it go. Otherwise it's a moped and as pointed out, subject to the rules and regulations governing those.
While on the subject, e-scooters which feature a seat are also automatically classified as mopeds....
Read more...
...
Offences committed on such machines render you liable to fines and loss of points on a driving licence if you have one.
I was actually stopped by the Police a few months ago and all they seemed bothered about was whether or not it was throttle operated or not!
I use the bike as a gentle form of exercise on low assist so why would I want to connect the throttle back and to risk being pulled over again anyhow?
The controller is also set to a max top speed of 25Km so within the legal limit also which the Police could see if they wanted
The bike is also fully insured for me and third parties in case of collision etc
Don't think I really need to be concerned about anything really taking into account above!
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2026 11:11pm
Legendary helpful member
ggarymanders wrote on Thu Jan 29, 2026 7:14pm:
I was actually stopped by the Police a few months ago and all they seemed bothered about was whether or not it was throttle operated or not!
I use the bike as a gentle form of exercise on low assist so why would I want to connect the throttle back and to risk being pulled over again anyhow?
Read more...
The controller is also set to a max top speed of 25Km so within the legal limit also which the Police could see if they wanted
The bike is also fully insured for me and third parties in case of collision etc
Don't think I really need to be concerned about anything really taking into account above!
Well as you said in your first post, the law has changed now. If you feel confident that the police won't bother you then that's your choice to keep using it as is.. If you have insurance it's not much of an extra step to register the bike (once that can be done), but again that is your choice.
Aitch.
ggarymanders wrote on Thu Jan 29, 2026 7:14pm:
I was actually stopped by the Police a few months ago and all they seemed bothered about was whether or not it was throttle operated or not!
I use the bike as a gentle form of exercise on low assist so why would I want to connect the throttle back and to risk being pulled over again anyhow?
Read more...
The controller is also set to a max top speed of 25Km so within the legal limit also which the Police could see if they wanted
The bike is also fully insured for me and third parties in case of collision etc
Don't think I really need to be concerned about anything really taking into account above!
A few months back the law was not out yet, it is the 250w motor (Max power limit), or the max speed that it can do, that is the limit. Not the speed you are doing.
L1e-B: E-bikes that can reach speeds up to 45 km/h. These require registration and are typically more powerful.
Posted: Wed Feb 4, 2026 5:35pm
JJ LAM wrote on Wed Feb 4, 2026 2:24pm:
A few months back the law was not out yet, it is the 250w motor (Max power limit), or the max speed that it can do, that is the limit. Not the speed you are doing.
L1e-B: E-bikes that can reach speeds up to 45 km/h. These require registration and are typically more powerful. ...
Read more...
...
It is not the limit you set it at on your control, it is the limit it can go.....ask yourself, why have a bike that can go faster, if you are not needing to go faster. I am not preaching, as I too have a L1e-B cat bike, in addition to a 250w bike....so will need to comply,
Two of my friends have had accidents with cars on their 250w bikes, with the motorists....not seeing or cutting them off at roundabouts. Motorist at fault on both occasions....but if you end up in the same situation with an unregistered/insured bike?....I would not take that risk. They could argue, you should not be on the road?
Thanks for the replies all
I cant find a link/page on the DGT site to even register an e-bike but there is a link to register scooters
Regards
ggarymanders wrote on Wed Feb 4, 2026 5:35pm:
Thanks for the replies all
I cant find a link/page on the DGT site to even register an e-bike but there is a link to register scooters
Read more...
Regards
It comes under Personal Mobility Vehicles and the DGT site is here
marcliff wrote on Wed Feb 4, 2026 5:45pm:
It comes under Personal Mobility Vehicles and the DGT site is here
Thank you marcliff, for taking your time to assist. I followed the link and may be missing something, as it says
Personal Mobility Vehicles (PMVs) are vehicles with one or more wheels, equipped with a single seat and propelled exclusively by electric motors that can provide the vehicle with a maximum speed between 6 and 25 km/h (Quote from site)
One of my bikes goes faster. I am keen to make that bike legal, so will ride on the 250w bike, until it becomes a little clearer the process. May be that someone, that has completed the procedure, may post?
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