Taking into account the amendments to the Road Traffic Regulations adopted on 24 March 2026, the Consumer Rights Protection Centre (CRPC) reminds consumers and traders of the requirements applicable to self‑propelled bicycles.
Self‑Propelled Bicycle
A self‑propelled bicycle is a bicycle additionally equipped with an electric motor whose maximum continuous rated or effective power does not exceed 1,000 watts, whose primary function is to assist pedalling, and which switches off before the vehicle reaches a speed of 25 km/h.
❗ The electric drive of a self‑propelled bicycle operates even when the pedals are not being pedalled.
Electric Bicycle (E‑Bike)
An electric bicycle is a bicycle additionally equipped with an electric motor whose maximum continuous rated power is less than or equal to 250 watts, and which switches off when the cyclist stops pedalling, or whose power is gradually reduced and switches off before the vehicle reaches a speed of 25 km/h.
❗ The electric drive operates only while pedalling and switches off when pedalling stops.
❗ Electric bicycles are marked with the CE conformity marking.
Important to Note!
- Registration with the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) is voluntary but recommended for conventional bicycles and electric bicycles.
- For self‑propelled bicycles, registration with CSDD is mandatory from 1 April 2026.
Before Purchasing a Self‑Propelled Bicycle
In order to register a self‑propelled bicycle with CSDD, it must meet specific requirements. Before purchasing, CRPC encourages consumers to check whether:
- there is a type‑approval marking (E‑mark with the required information);
- there is a marking or identification plate indicating the manufacturer, model/type and technical parameters;
- a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued by the manufacturer is available, indicating the VIN number of the self‑propelled bicycle.
Call to Traders
In accordance with Section 4 of the Consumer Rights Protection Law, consumers must be provided with complete information about a product, including any restrictions on its use. CRPC calls on traders who sell micromobility devices to:
- display information at points of sale, alongside each vehicle description, about the applicable usage restrictions, including those related to participation in road traffic (where applicable);
- ensure that information about the manufacturer (trade mark), model and essential technical characteristics (motor power, maximum speed, seat height, where applicable) is provided with each vehicle;
- ensure that the offered vehicles have undergone conformity assessment in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.
Please Note!
Compliance of a vehicle with specific requirements cannot be assessed solely on the basis of its appearance or name. Visually similar vehicles may be subject to different regulatory requirements depending on classification criteria such as technical parameters, operating principle, construction, intended use and other factors (see infographic).
❗ In the “E‑type approval number” field, the marking consists of digits.
❗ The VIN number consists of letters and digits; it is unique and unequivocally attributable to a specific vehicle.
❗ Information in the “Technical parameters” field is indicated as
“– – – dB(A) – – – min⁻¹”,
as self‑propelled bicycles do not generate noise like traditional two‑wheeled vehicles with internal combustion engines (e.g. mopeds or motorcycles).