[mikepurvis]

Do they not allow e-bikes in those? That seems surprising, given how important e-bikes and pedal-assists have been (or have been represented as being) for broadening the accessibility of cycling.

A quick googling led me to this statement about Germany and e-bikes:

"Insurance and license plates are required. The maximum motor output is 500 watts for e-bikes. Also, e-bike drivers must use bike lanes unless there are none, in which case they are allowed to ride on the roads."

From: https://adoebike.it/en/an-ultimate-guide-to-e-bike-laws-in-e...

[croon]

E-bikes are generally allowed as they 1) work like regular bikes. 2) only allowed if they're pedal assisted, ie not mopeds.

[lm28469]

Of course e bikes are allowed, but as you said you need an insurance + they must be capped to 25kmh and only provide power when the user is actively pedalling.

[throwaway14356]

in NL we have 3 kinds rly. 1) electrical assist that is limited to matching the riders output and limited in speed. They are cosidered bicycles. 2) e-bikes that are considered mopeds and 3) electric motorcycles.

[Fradow]

That differs from country to country.

In France, pedelecs (pedal-assist, assist is capped to 25km/h) are allowed on bike lanes, but speed bikes (not limited to 25km/h, they can reach the same speed as cars in cities, often 50km/h, and do not require pedaling) are not allowed on bike lanes.

For all intent and purpose, a speed bike (or however you call it) is an electric moped.