You’ve probably already seen a cyclist riding at the same speed as cars. If they weren’t dressed in Lycra with the thighs of Pogacar or Evenepoel, chances are they were riding a speed pedelec.

Speed pedelecs are electric bikes whose motor assistance works up to 45 km/h, compared to 25 km/h for standard e-bikes. The name says it all: today, they are the fastest form of active transportation in urban and suburban areas. Even with a 20 km commute, you can challenge cars.

At KAMEO Bikes, we love these bikes — and here’s why.

1. They’re fast.
43 minutes for 26 km, including crossing the city center of Liège: that’s the time it takes on a speed pedelec to ride from Tilff to Visé. A performance that’s hard to beat by car during rush hour.

2. They expand what’s possible by bike.
On average, a trip on a speed pedelec is 60% faster than on a standard electric bike. In Belgium, the average home-to-work commute lasts 30 minutes. With a realistic average speed of 32 km/h (including stops), that means covering around 16 km. With a speed pedelec, a daily commute of 15 to 20 km becomes perfectly achievable, even for non-athletes.

3. It’s a workout… if you want it to be.
A speed pedelec lets you travel quickly while staying active, with fully adjustable effort. Modern motors allow you to ride at 45 km/h with moderate effort. For example, bikes equipped with the Pinion motor can maintain this speed with an effort of around 120 to 140 W. By comparison, 120 W while running corresponds to a comfortable pace at which you can still hold a conversation. Want a more intense workout? Simply reduce the assistance to reach efforts of 200, 300, or even 400 W.

Definition
A speed pedelec is an electric bike whose assistance:

• works up to 45 km/h,
• is activated only by pedaling,
• has a maximum continuous rated power of 4,000 W.

👉 In Belgium, it is classified as a Class B moped.

Registration & insurance
A speed pedelec must be registered with the DIV, have a moped license plate, and be covered by mandatory third-party liability insurance.

Minimum age & license
The minimum age is 16. An AM license or any other valid license (B, A, etc.) is required.

Mandatory helmet
Wearing an approved NTA 8776 helmet is mandatory. It offers better protection for the neck and temples than a standard bicycle helmet.

Where can you ride?
Speed pedelecs must ride on the roadway. Cycle paths are mandatory if the adjacent road is limited to 30 km/h, and optional if it is limited to 50 km/h.

After testing many models, we’ve selected a range focused on comfort, safety, and reliability.

The most practical: Riese & Müller Load 75 & Multicharger
Fast and capable of carrying heavy loads (note: only one passenger is legally allowed).
Link to the Riese & Müller Load 75
Link to the Riese & Müller Multicharger3 HS

Before committing to the purchase of a speed pedelec, a real-world test is essential. That’s why at KAMEO Bikes, we offer you the opportunity to test a speed pedelec for an entire week.

Interested in the experience? Leave us your contact details and come discover the fastest active mode of transportation on the market.