A VanMoof bike that used to be faster. | Image: VanMoof
VanMoof is the latest e-bike maker that will remove software that allows its e-bikes to offer pedal-assisted power beyond the EU limit of 25km/h. The option that cheats European speed limits will be removed on November 17th with an update to the VanMoof app that will be applied globally.
All of VanMoof’s new S3 and X3 e-bikes regardless of country are fitted with the same custom-built motor capable of 250W or 350W of continuous power and a 500W peak. A default region setting in the VanMoof app allows owners outside of the US to select the faster and more powerful US limits even when located in Europe. In the US, e-bikes are generally capped at 32km/h (20mph).
“Over the past months we’ve had a number of cases in Germany of our riders…