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As of July 2025, Switzerland has officially implemented a new regulation framework for electric bicycles—one that doesn’t just affect local riders and manufacturers, but may also set the tone for broader regulatory changes across Europe. The key focus? A newly defined class for heavy electric cargo bikes and growing pressure on European lawmakers to revisit outdated standards around motor power and vehicle weight.
Why Switzerland’s E-Bike Laws Matter
Compared to many EU countries, Switzerland occupies a unique position in the e-bike ecosystem. Its S-Pedelecs (speed pedelecs)—e-bikes with pedal assistance up to 45 km/h—are widely adopted for commuting, making up nearly 10% of all e-bikes sold in the country. This rate is the highest in Europe and has given Swiss regulators ample real-world data to justify more nuanced categorization.
In the latest legislation, electric bicycles are now classified into three categories:
1. Light Electric Mopeds
- Potencia del motor: Max 500 W
- Pedal assist speed: Max 25 km/h
- Total weight: Up to 250 kg (previously 200 kg)
- Requirements: No driving license needed for users over 16 (M license needed from age 14); no number plate; helmets recommended but not mandatory.
2. Fast Electric Mopeds (S-Pedelecs)
- Potencia del motor: Max 1000 W
- Pedal assist speed: Up to 45 km/h
- Unassisted top speed: 30 km/h
- Requirements: Mandatory M license, insurance, license plate, and helmet.
3. Heavy Electric Mopeds (New)
- Potencia del motor: Max 2000 W
- Max speed: 25 km/h with or without pedal assist
- Total permissible weight: Between 250–450 kg
- Requirements: M license, registration plate, helmet, and insurance required.
This third category was designed specifically with bicicletas de carga in mind—vehicles that are increasingly being used for urban delivery, child transport, and even municipal services.
Stricter Child Safety Rules for Cargo Bikes
The Swiss regulation also updates standards for carrying children in cargo bikes. While previously the rules were vague, the new law allows for transporting up to four children, provided that each seat:
- Is a designated child safety seat, y
- Is equipped with a seatbelt.
This move strengthens Switzerland’s position on family-friendly, low-emission urban transport, while aligning safety standards with increasing usage scenarios.
New Road Sign Rules: E-Bikes = Motor Vehicles?
Another notable update concerns traffic signs and road rights:
- The traditional “Bicycle” sign now applies to all subcategories of motorized personal transport: slow and fast e-bikes, electric scooters, etc.
- El “Motorized Bicycle” sign continues to cover S-Pedelecs, petrol mopeds, and the new heavy electric mopeds. Any road prohibiting motorized bicycles also prohibits these—even if the motor is switched off.
Swiss municipalities are now empowered to exclude heavy or fast e-bikes from narrow cycling paths or pedestrian-priority zones, depending on local safety conditions.
Europe Is Watching: The Push for Updated E-Bike Standards
The Swiss law has reverberated across the EU, especially as Germany’s ZIV (Zweirad-Industrie-Verband) pushes for Europe-wide updates to outdated e-bike definitions. Under current EU law, e-bikes are limited to:
- 250 W continuous motor output, y
- 25 km/h pedal assist cutoff.
However, critics say this standard no longer reflects modern e-bike performance or real-world use cases—especially for bicicletas de carga used in delivery or logistics.
Proposed Changes Under Discussion:
- Increase in Power Limits: ZIV proposes shifting from continuous 250 W to 750 W peak power, aligning with how most motors (e.g. Bosch, Bafang) already operate. This would give manufacturers greater flexibility while improving performance on hills or under load.
- Weight Caps for Cargo Bikes: There’s also a proposal to set weight limits at:
- 250 kg for two-wheel cargo e-bikes, y
- 300 kg for multi-wheel cargo e-bikes. Any vehicle beyond that would require a new regulatory framework (referencing EN 17860-4:2025 draft standard). Critics warn that overly large cargo bikes increasingly resemble mini delivery vans and may not belong on regular bike lanes.
- More Realistic Performance Metrics: Some proposals also seek to limit power output based on a ratio to human input—e.g. power assist of 400% to 600%, instead of a flat wattage cap.
⚖️ Industry Debate: Innovation vs Regulation
While some regulators see this as a necessary update, not everyone agrees:
- LEVA-EU, a European light electric vehicle association, has warned that stricter rules could block Asian manufacturers, reduce innovation, and make urban e-mobility less accessible.
- Researchers and urban planners advocate for regulation based on real-world use behavior, not just lab specs like wattage or speed.
- RLVD, Germany’s cycle logistics association, strongly opposes removing cargo bikes under 300 kg from the bicycle category, arguing this could undermine last-mile logistics and green mobility goals.
🧭 Looking Ahead: What’s Next for European E-Bike Policy?
The EU has not yet officially committed to new e-bike legislation, but the public involvement of influential trade bodies like ZIV and growing adoption of e-cargo bikes in cities like Berlin, Amsterdam, and Paris suggest that reform is not only likely—but necessary.
Switzerland may have taken the first formal step, but Germany and others are right behind. The coming months will determine whether Europe embraces a more performance-based, category-diverse, y innovation-friendly framework for e-bikes—or remains bound by decades-old rules written for simpler machines.
🔚 Final Thoughts
The shift from traditional bicycles to electric and cargo e-bikes is one of the biggest transformations in modern urban mobility. Switzerland’s new legislation reflects this evolution, and Europe now faces a critical decision: adapt its framework to support the future of sustainable transport, or risk stalling progress under outdated limits.
At Regen, we’ll be closely watching these changes—not just for compliance, but to better serve our clients across Europe with cutting-edge, regulation-ready cargo bikes.
