Speed pedelec: what does French law say in 2026?
A 45 km/h electric bike (speed pedelec) is legally a moped: registration, insurance, AM licence, motorcycle helmet and roadworthiness test. Vélo Shop Obernai's clear guide.
A fast bike, moped rules
45 km/h. A bicycle, really?
In the eyes of the law, no: a bike that assists up to 45 km/h is a moped (category L1e-B, EU regulation 168/2013). It’s registered, insured and ridden with a licence — exactly like a scooter.
Slide the speed
Find out when your electric bike changes category.
Standard e-bike or speed pedelec?
- Assistance cut at 25 km/h, ≤ 250 W
- Considered a bicycle
- No registration, no plate
- No licence, no motorcycle insurance
- Allowed on cycle lanes
- Assistance up to 45 km/h (L1e-B moped)
- Registration + plate
- AM licence (age 14) + motorcycle insurance
- Motorcycle helmet, CE gloves, roadworthiness test
- On the road only
Everything you need to know
A speed pedelec within the rules? We take care of it.
Vélo Shop Obernai helps you choose the model, register it and maintain it — a Stromer-certified workshop in Alsace.
Straight answers, like at the counter
Yes. It’s a moped (category L1e-B): registration certificate and plate compulsory, via the ANTS. We’ll help you with the paperwork.
The AM licence (formerly BSR) is enough, from age 14. Exempt if you were born before 1988 or already hold a car (B) licence.
An approved motorcycle helmet (ECE 22.05 or 22.06) — not a bicycle helmet. CE-certified gloves are also compulsory.
No, unless a municipal by-law allows it. The speed pedelec rides on the road, with the cars.
Yes, since 15 April 2024, as for mopeds — to be renewed every 3 years.
The e-bike is limited to 25 km/h (a bicycle, no formalities); the speed pedelec goes up to 45 km/h (registration, insurance, licence, helmet) — half the journey time.
Information up to date for 2026 (sources: Service-Public.fr, EU regulation 168/2013), given for guidance only.
→ See our Stromer speed pedelecs in stock in Obernai: 45 km/h electric bikes, ST1 to ST7 — free test ride, help with registration.
The models we talk about
These machines are mentioned above. The status shown is the one on their product page, checked when you open this page.
Prices and availability taken from the catalogue. Payment in 3×, 4×, 24× with Cofidis, 4× interest-free from €100 to €3,000. Available at Vélo Shop Obernai — test ride possible in store (26 rue de Sélestat), pick-up without an appointment.
A question about your machine? We’ll take care of it.
Diagnosis, adjustment, bringing a machine back within the rules: we answer at the counter just as on the phone, no appointment needed.
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