What speed do I need?

One of the most common metrics that customers check for an electric moped to be considered good is the speed. In the UK, road-legal electric mopeds (L1e) are limited to 28 mph. Anything faster is classified as an electric motorcycle (L3e), which requires a different licence, insurance, and tax class. For most people, having a higher speed means a better electric moped. But is this true? Most importantly, is this necessary especially on UK roads? In this article we will be talking about the common reality of UK urban riding and why aiming for the top speed isn’t always the wiser option.

Reality of urban riding

The reality is, the city can be congested already with many cars making riding not as free as usual making you rarely ride flat-out for long periods. Stop-and-go urban roads and streets can also make you turn multiple times. Not to mention the steep hills, rough roads, and areas with speed limits you might be riding on! In most cases, you rarely get to use the e-moped’s full top speed. As long as your top speed is reliable for when you need it, you are good.

What matters more

Instead, focus on other features that might truly affect your daily riding experience. Make sure that the build of the e-moped is of quality and durable. The battery should give you a long-lasting performance. The electronics are smooth and reliable. The brakes are effective and responsive. The design is comfortable for longer rides. Ultimately, your safety, comfort, and long-term satisfaction are far more important than the few extra miles per hour.               

When speed matters

With that said, we are not invalidating speed as it can be a good indicator that an electric-moped is of quality (no one wants a painfully slow electric moped!). However, a higher top speed only really comes into its own when you are riding in rural areas or on open roads, travelling longer distances, or want to reach your destination faster. If you are someone who mainly rides in busy urban areas, buying an expensive electric moped with a higher speed as the justification for the purchase might not be a practical investment.