motorcycle. As such, the classification of these e-bikes varies greatly across countries and local jurisdictions. Despite these legal complications, the classification of e-bikes is mainly decided by whether the e-bike's motor assists the rider using a pedal-assist system or by a power-on-demand one. Definitions of these are as follows: With pedal-assist, the electric motor is regulated by pedalling. The pedal-assist augments the efforts of the rider when they are pedalling. These e-bikes – called pedelecs – have a sensor to detect the pedalling speed, the pedalling force, or both. Brake activation is sensed to disable the motor as well. With power-on-demand, the motor is activated by a throttle, usually handlebar-mounted just like on most motorcycles or scooters. Therefore, very broadly, e-bikes can be classed as: E-bikes with pedal-assist only: either pedelecs (legally classed as bicycles) or S-Pedelecs (often legally classed as mopeds) Pedelecs: have pedal-assist only, motor assists only up to a decent but not excessive speed (usually ), motor power up to , often legally classed as bicycles S-Pedelecs: have pedal-assist only, motor power can be greater than , can attain a higher speed (e.g., )) before motor stops assisting, sometimes legally classed as a moped or motorcycle. E-bikes with power-on-demand and pedal-assist E-bikes with power-on-demand only: often have more powerful motors than pedelecs but not always, the more powerful of these are legally classed as mopeds or motorcycles Pedal-assist only E-bikes with pedal-assist only are usually called pedelecs but can be broadly classified into pedelecs proper and the more powerful S-Pedelecs. Pedelecs The term "pedelec" (from pedal electric cycle) refers to a pedal-assist e-bike with a relatively low-powered electric motor and a decent but not excessive top speed. Pedelecs are legally classed as bicycles rather than low-powered motorcycles or mopeds. The most influential definition of pedelecs comes from the EU. EU directive (EN15194 standard) for motor vehicles considers a bicycle to be a pedelec if: The pedal-assist, i.e. the motorised assistance that only engages when the rider is pedalling, cuts out once is reached, and when the motor produces maximum continuous rated power of not more than (n.b. the motor can produce more power for short periods, such as when the rider is struggling to get up a steep hill). An e-bike conforming to these conditions is considered to be a pedelec in the EU and is legally classed as a bicycle. The EN15194 standard is valid across