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A pedelec (from pedal electric cycle) is a bicycle where the rider's pedalling is ''assisted'' by a small electric motor; thus they are a type of low-powered e-bike. However, unlike some other types of e-bikes, pedelecs are classified as conventional bicycles in many countries by road authorities rather than as a type of electric moped. Pedelecs include an electronic controller which cuts power to the motor when the rider is not pedalling or when a certain speed – usually 25 km/h (15 MPH) – has been reached. Pedelecs are useful for people who ride in hilly areas or in strong headwinds. A pedelec can be any type of bicycle, but a pedelec city bike is very common. Ordinary conventional bicycles can be converted to pedelecs with the addition of the necessary parts, i.e. motor, battery etc. In many places pedelecs are legally classed as bicycles rather than as mopeds or motorcycles. Other kinds of e-bikes, such as the more powerful S-Pedelecs and ''power-on-demand'' e-bikes (those whose motors can provide assistance regardless of whether the rider is pedalling or not) are often classed as mopeds or even motorcycles and the rider therefore must conform to the conditions that apply to users of those vehicles, e.g. being licensed, wearing a helmet, vehicle registration etc. == Advantages and disadvantages == Pedelecs provide various advantages over conventional bicycles: * ''Mobility'': People living in hilly areas can cycle using a pedelec rather than be forced to rely on fully motorised transport (i.e. cars or motorbikes). This is particularly of use to the older people who may no longer have the capacity for strenuous exercise that hill climbing demands that they once had. * ''Speed'': Destinations can be reached more quickly, since the average speed is higher for the same amount of effort. * ''Effort'': Alternatively, the same speeds can be reached with less effort. This means that a rider on a pedelec can sweat less if at all – particularly when going up hill – so that bicycle commuting in work clothes is made less problematic, i.e. eliminating the need to change and/or shower upon getting to work. * ''Higher range'': Since the rider will be less fatigued, and average speeds higher, greater distances can be attained. The main disadvantage is the purchasing cost of the pedelec itself, which is significantly more expensive than a conventional bicycle of the same type: the average selling price in Germany is between €1,500 and €2,000.〔 The other additional expenses are minor: these are the electricity recharging costs and the eventual replacement of the battery, which together have been calculated to cost a mere €0.20 - €0.40 per 100 km. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「Pedelec」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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