The terms e-bike and electric bike are being applied to a wide variety of bicycles that contain an electric motor. The motor provides assistance either when the rider is pedaling or via a throttle.
HBC will not permit e-bikes with throttles (aka Class 2 e-bikes) on club rides. Our insurance will not cover losses arising from the use of these bikes.
If you are considering purchasing an e-bike for club rides, please make sure it is a class 1 or class 3 bike, as detailed in the LAB definitions below.
The League of American Bicyclists (the League), through which the HBC and almost all bicycle clubs get their insurance, has provided the following important information:
“There has been some confusion relative to how the League’s liability insurance program applies to the use of electric bicycles during club activities. The purpose of this correspondence is to clarify the intent of the liability policy. It is important to note that coverage for electric bicycles for club activities has not changed, but there seems to be a need for clarification.
For the purposes of this communication, the definition of electric bicycle is consistent with the CPSC definition and the League’s position on electric bicycles:
- Class 1 electric bicycle shall mean an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
- Class 2 electric bicycle shall mean an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
- Class 3 electric bicycle shall mean an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour.
Based on the language from the insurance policy, losses arising from the use of a Class 2 electric bicycle would not be covered under the League’s club insurance program”.