A new amendment to the National Road Traffic Act, assented on 2 December 2024, stipulates that any electric pedal cycle that can operate in excess of 45km/h is now classified as a motor vehicle.
As such, these two-wheelers must now be registered and licensed in South Africa, and the driver must have a licence for that class of vehicle.
The wide-reaching amendment has the potential to affect a growing cohort of cyclists who make use of electric bicycles for recreational and transportation purposes.
These two-wheelers incorporate a small electric motor in the frame that assists the rider when pedaling, allowing them to go faster and further with less effort.
While their top speed is typically determined by the rider’s inputs and the prevailing terrain, it’s safe to say that the majority of electric pedal cycles are capable of exceeding 45km/h under the right conditions.
Cape Town seeks clarity
The City of Cape Town’s Portfolio Committee on Safety and Security will write to Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy to request further guidance on the practical application of the amendment for electric pedal cycles.
The metro seeks clarity on the new regulations so that it may:
- Create awareness amongst affected road users
- Sensitise staff who will be tasked with enforcement
- Consider any potential changes to the City’s Traffic By-law that may be required
“The amendment is welcomed, particularly as the City has noted an increase in the use of electric pedal cycles,” said Chairperson of the Safety and Security Portfolio Committee, Councillor Mzwakhe Nqavashe.
“But, it is critical that we all have a clear understanding of the expectations accompanying it.”
Nqavashe highlighted that cyclists entering roadways in a manner that is unsafe, and cyclists riding on sidewalks, are among the more common transgressions that the city’s traffic officers encounter during a normal day on the job.
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