Support us

Electric bicycleRussia

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Russia. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Russia

87. Electric bicycle

An electric bicycle, or e-bike, is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor that assists the rider while travelling. Most electric bicycles use pedal assistance, meaning that the motor provides additional power while the rider pedals.

The legal classification of an electric bicycle depends on factors such as the motor power, maximum assistance speed and whether the motor can propel the bicycle without pedalling. Faster or more powerful electric bicycles may be classified as mopeds or another type of motor vehicle and can therefore be subject to different licence, helmet, registration and insurance requirements.

Electric bicycle
Sigo electric cargo-bike sharing station on Wönnichstraße. (Berlin, Germany)
Wikimedia.org • Singlespeedfahrer • CC0
What is an electric bicycle?

An electric bicycle is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance to the rider.

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgium, Royal Decree of 1 December 1975, Articles 2.15–2.17, 36 and 43; cycle and speed-pedelec classification; Belgian example

🔗 gov.uk • GOV.UK, Riding an electric bike: the rules; GB EAPC example

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 59–82, cycling; national guidance example

🔗 nsw.gov.au • NSW Government, bicycle safety equipment; NSW helmet rule

🔗 service-public.gouv.fr • French Service Public, mandatory bicycle equipment; child helmet example

Can you ride an electric bicycle faster than the assistance limit?

Yes, by your own effort where otherwise permitted. The assistance limit normally determines when the motor stops helping; it does not necessarily prevent the bicycle itself from travelling faster downhill or through pedalling.

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgium, Royal Decree of 1 December 1975, Articles 2.15–2.17, 36 and 43; cycle and speed-pedelec classification; Belgian example

🔗 gov.uk • GOV.UK, Riding an electric bike: the rules; GB EAPC example

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 59–82, cycling; national guidance example

🔗 nsw.gov.au • NSW Government, bicycle safety equipment; NSW helmet rule

🔗 service-public.gouv.fr • French Service Public, mandatory bicycle equipment; child helmet example

Is a helmet compulsory on an electric bicycle?

Helmet requirements depend on the country and vehicle category. Ordinary e-bikes may follow normal bicycle helmet rules, while faster electric bicycles can have specific compulsory helmet requirements.

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgium, Royal Decree of 1 December 1975, Articles 2.15–2.17, 36 and 43; cycle and speed-pedelec classification; Belgian example

🔗 gov.uk • GOV.UK, Riding an electric bike: the rules; GB EAPC example

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 59–82, cycling; national guidance example

🔗 nsw.gov.au • NSW Government, bicycle safety equipment; NSW helmet rule

🔗 service-public.gouv.fr • French Service Public, mandatory bicycle equipment; child helmet example

1 Russia 2 Motorway 3 Residential area 4 Zone 5 Speed limit 6 Footpath 7 Bike path 8 Bridge 9 Speed bump 10 One-way traffic 11 Bus lane 12 Bus stop 13 Stop sign 14 Give way 15 Roundabout 16 Priority road 17 Priority over oncoming traffic 18 Give way to oncoming traffic 19 Pedestrian crossing 20 Railway crossing 21 Mandatory direction 22 School area 23 Overtaking 24 Crossing animals 25 Slippery road 26 Curve 27 Wrong-way driving 28 Roadworks 29 Height limit 30 Traffic lights 31 Pedestrian lights 32 Road markings 33 Driving licence 34 Location marker 35 Countdown markers 36 Emergency telephone 37 Parking 38 No stopping 39 Disabled parking 40 Reversing 41 Road surface 42 Provisional licence 43 Emergency exit 44 City limit 45 Tourist attraction 46 Horn 47 Licence plate 48 Charging station 49 Cyclist 50 Moped 51 Motorcycle 52 Bus 53 Police 54 Ambulance 55 Taxi 56 Pothole 57 Path 58 Particulates 59 Air pollution 60 Intersection 61 Rush hour 62 Road code 63 Street gutter 64 Cargo bike 65 Forestry vehicle 66 Construction vehicle 67 Semi-trailer truck 68 Trolleybus 69 Speed pedelec 70 Delivery vehicle 71 Idling 72 Tow truck 73 Four-wheel drive 74 Bicycle 75 Motorcycle equipment 76 Tram 77 Train 78 Rail track 79 Caravan 80 Trailer 81 Tow hitch 82 Fire truck 83 Siren 84 Convoy 85 Emergency vehicle lighting 86 Agricultural machinery 87 Electric bicycle 88 Electric vehicle 89 Pedelec 90 Quadricycle 91 Microcar 92 All-terrain vehicle 93 Van 94 Recreational vehicle 95 Scooter 96 Trikke 97 Personal mobility device 98 Skateboard 99 Segway 100 Kick scooter ...