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PedelecSouth Africa

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of South Africa. 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
South Africa

57. Pedelec

A pedelec, short for pedal electric cycle, is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance while the rider pedals. The motor supplements the rider's effort rather than replacing pedalling entirely.

The maximum motor power and assistance speed permitted for a pedelec depend on local law. When the bicycle remains within the applicable limits, it is normally treated as a bicycle rather than a moped or motorcycle. Faster electrically assisted bicycles are commonly classified separately as speed pedelecs.

Pedelec
Pedelecs during an e-mobility dealer training event.
Wikimedia.org • holding graz • CC BY
What is a pedelec?

A pedelec is an electrically assisted bicycle whose motor provides assistance while the rider pedals.

🔗 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 pedelec the same as a speed pedelec?

No. A speed pedelec can provide assistance at considerably higher speeds and is commonly subject to additional requirements concerning helmets, licences, registration or road use.

🔗 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 a pedelec?

This depends on local bicycle law. Some countries require helmets for particular riders or circumstances, while others recommend them without making them compulsory.

🔗 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 South Africa 2 Motorway 3 Speed limit 4 Pedestrian warning 5 Speed bump 6 Toll road 7 Dead end 8 Stop sign 9 Give way 10 Roundabout 11 Pedestrian crossing 12 Railway crossing 13 School area 14 Crossing animals 15 Curve 16 Wrong-way driving 17 Traffic lights 18 Traffic lights warning 19 Traffic mirror 20 Parking 21 Reversing 22 Tourist attraction 23 Dangers 24 Bus 25 Police 26 Ambulance 27 Pothole 28 Path 29 Particulates 30 Air pollution 31 Rush hour 32 Road code 33 Street gutter 34 Cargo bike 35 Forestry vehicle 36 Construction vehicle 37 Semi-trailer truck 38 Trolleybus 39 Speed pedelec 40 Delivery vehicle 41 Idling 42 Tow truck 43 Four-wheel drive 44 Bicycle 45 Motorcycle equipment 46 Rail track 47 Caravan 48 Trailer 49 Tow hitch 50 Fire truck 51 Siren 52 Convoy 53 Emergency vehicle lighting 54 Agricultural machinery 55 Electric bicycle 56 Electric vehicle 57 Pedelec 58 Quadricycle 59 Microcar 60 All-terrain vehicle 61 Van 62 Recreational vehicle 63 Scooter 64 Trikke 65 Personal mobility device 66 Skateboard 67 Segway 68 Kick scooter 69 Roller skates 70 Mailman 71 Hitchhiker 72 Toddler 73 Child 74 Disability 75 Motorail 76 km/h 77 mph 78 Speedometer 79 Ride height 80 Dirt road 81 Driving 82 Start-stop system 83 Manual transmission 84 Automatic transmission 85 Throttle 86 Tachometer 87 Steering wheel 88 Power steering 89 Visual scanning 90 Mirror 91 Fuel 92 Fuel gauge 93 Petrol 94 Diesel 95 Diesel exhaust fluid 96 Car insurance 97 First aid kit 98 Fire extinguisher 99 High-visibility clothing 100 First aid ...