Electric bikes are reviewed model by model. German Bike does not make one blanket road-legality or certification claim for the entire catalog.
Our four road-use statuses
Public-road compatible — documented
Used only where the available specifications and documentation support the stated public-road category for the relevant market and configuration.
Registration, insurance or licence may be required
Used where speed, power, throttle behavior, vehicle classification or documentation can place the product outside the ordinary bicycle category.
Private-land or off-road use
Used where the product is represented for non-public-road use or where its configuration is incompatible with the standard public-road category described for the market.
Road-use status not verified
Used where German Bike does not yet have enough reliable, product-specific evidence to make a stronger statement. Unverified does not mean approved or prohibited; it means the customer should not assume public-road eligibility.
Standard EU pedal-assist boundary
At EU level, pedal cycles with an auxiliary electric motor having a maximum continuous rated power of no more than 250 W, whose output is cut off when the cyclist stops pedalling and progressively reduced and finally cut off before the vehicle reaches 25 km/h, are excluded from the motor-vehicle type-approval regulation. National equipment and traffic rules can still apply.
Evidence we review
Depending on the product and market, relevant evidence may include the official manual, technical specification sheet, declaration of conformity, applicable standards documentation, vehicle approval documents and a manufacturer or authorized distributor statement. A CE mark by itself is not treated as a complete public-road determination.
Configuration matters
Motor mode, throttle operation, assisted speed, controller settings, battery or motor variants and customer modifications can affect classification. A label applies only to the configuration described on that product page.
Helmets and protective equipment
Bicycle-helmet and motorcycle-helmet standards are not interchangeable. DOT, ECE or other certification language is displayed only when the specific claim is supported by documentation; supplier wording alone may be identified as unverified.
Before riding
Check the product-specific status and current rules for the place where the product will be used. This page provides retail information and is not individualized legal advice. Contact the relevant local authority or insurer when registration, licensing or insurance may apply.