In a fascinating case that is sure to spark more casual arguments than it settled, a judge was recently forced to make a ruling on whether or not “mime pedaling” counted as truly pedaling an electric bike.
Mime pedaling, or the act of casually moving the pedals on an electric bicycle to provide the appearance of pedaling without actually meaningfully contributing to the mechanical locomotive effect of the bike, is a common occurrence on powerful electric bicycles being ridden on throttle-only or with substantial pedal assist motor power. It essentially makes it look like the rider is pedaling, when in fact little or no work is being done by the rider.
In the Netherlands, where fat tire bikes have come to represent a growing group of less traditional-looking e-bikes that are quite popular with younger riders, mime pedaling is sometimes used to hide the fact that the user is operating the bike with a hand throttle – a device that is not allowed on electric bicycles under EU law.
The law requires that the motor only provide assistance when the rider is pedaling, and that the motor cuts out when the rider ceases to pedal.
The e-bike brand at the center of the court case regarding what constitutes “pedaling” an e-bike
