The EU Directive 2002/24/EC comes into effect on
May 9, 2003 and will replace the current Directive
92/61/EEC.

Until May 9, 2003 the current national regulations concerning the status of pedelecs will remain unchanged.
After May 9, 2003, the EU Member States have the choice of either keeping their current regulations for another 6 months or changing over to the EU-directive.

By November 9, 2003 all Members of the EU are required to integrate this Directive into their national legislation and abolish their previous regulations.

Example:
In Great Britan pedelecs with a top speed of 15 mph (22.5 km/h) and 200 Watt motor are classified as bicycles. Pedelecs with a higher top speed or a stronger motor require a type approval.

No later than November 9, 2003, Great Britain must conform to the EU-directive: Pedelecs may have a 250 watt motor and be able to reach a top assist speed of 15.5 mph, and still be classified as a bicycle.

Download the Document
The directive 2002/24/EC is available to download at the Official Journal of the European Communities:

Austria
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Ireland
Italy
Luxembourg
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
The Netherlands
United Kingdom: Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales), and Northern Ireland.

New Member States since May 1, 2004:
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Estonia
Hungary
Latvia
Lithuania
Malta
Poland
Slovakia
Slovenia

EU Directives and Regulations are applicable in all Member States. Where Regulations are directly applicable, Directives have to be implemented into national law. (However some provisions of Directives might have a “direct effect”, i.e. they are applicable even if the national legislator fails to implement the Directive in time.)

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