The competition between manufacturers to build the fastest electric bicycle can seem purely academic to cyclists in Britain where such machines must be registered as motorcycles in order to be road legal, but the recently-launched, German-designed ‘Blacktrail’ is a fascinating insight into the type of electric-assist bike that might one day be commonplace.
The ‘Blacktrail’ has a top speed of 62mph and weighs only 19kg.
The £50,000 electric bicycle
At 59,500 Euros the bike costs over £15,000 more than an entry-level Porsche sports car, but everything about the Blacktrail is high spec; power is courtesy of a 48-volt lithium-ion battery held within a hand-stitched leather carrier; the frame is constructed from a carbon fibre with various components made from magnesium, titanium, and high alloy aluminium; the wheels are built in carbon fibre. 
A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “The Blacktrail grabs headlines with its high top speed and price, but electric bicycles already provide green, powered personal transport to far more people than electric cars and there is no reason to assume their performance will not evolve over time. In terms of price, range and usability, the bicycle is the most practical option for those who want the benefits of an electric vehicle today”
Cycle insurance
Road-legal electric bicycles are eligible for cycle insurance from the ETA. Every policy covers against theft, accidental damage and vandalism – even at race events. It also includes third party insurance, bicycle breakdown recovery and worldwide cover. Get an instant online quote below.
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