70% of BikeRadar readers think ebike peak power should be capped, according to the results of our poll.
Of the 1,487 respondents, only 20% opposed any new limits and 10% were undecided.
On the surface, the result looks to be a clear rejection of increasingly powerful motors such as the new Avinox M2S, which has made headlines with its industry-leading 1,500W peak power.
Despite Bosch releasing an over-the-air update for its Performance Line CX that boosts torque to 120Nm, Avinox’s peak power still dwarfs the German brand’s 750W motor.
While our poll suggests genuine concern among riders, it also raises a deeper question: are riders reacting to the reality of high-power ebikes, or simply the headline figures attached to them?
In response to BikeRadar’s poll, Ferdinand Wolf – Avinox’s product experience director – argued the result may “be a signal that there's a lack of education in the industry around the difference between speed and power”.
“When some people hear that an eMTB motor delivers high power, they assume higher power also means higher speed,” he said. “In reality, these are two very different things.
“Speed is what ultimately determines the level of danger, while power is the force that helps riders accelerate, especially at low speeds and in demanding situations such as steep climbs, technical ascents, and navigation around obstacles.”
Under UK and EU EAPC regulations, pedal-assist ebikes remain limited to assistance up to 25.5km/h.
Regardless of whether a motor produces 600W, 750W or 1,500W at peak output, assistance must still cut off at the same speed.
Avinox says the additional power isn’t designed to push riders beyond legal limits on flat ground. Instead, the benefit comes in situations where gravity, terrain or technical obstacles would normally bog riders down.
Wolf says: “Avinox made control a top priority with the new M2S and M2. Rather than offering unbridled power, Avinox focuses on delivering power precisely when it is needed. Our intelligent assistance algorithms provide smooth, predictable support that helps riders maintain control in various situations.”
In testing, that’s exactly what impressed us about the M2S. The motor’s standout trait isn’t just its brute force, but the way it sustains momentum on steep, awkward climbs, while remaining controlled.
Wolf argues that more power is safer for riders: “In some cases, having more power makes riding safer as it helps the rider to overcome trail obstacles or avoid dismounting in difficult terrain, enabling many different kinds of riders to experience safe and fun riding journeys.”
He concedes there is need for clarity from regulators: “Avinox is advocating for a more nuanced approach to industry management, rather than simply limiting power output, as the latter may hinder the riding experience and overall industry growth.
“We hope the industry can recognise and respect users' personalised and diverse needs, and make decisions that ultimately benefit the collective advancement of the entire sector.”
So, should power be capped?
Still, the results are in, and our poll result suggests most of you think power should be limited.
It’s a concern shared by influential industry body the Bicycle Association, with technical director Peter Eland concerned that “As an industry our priority must be to safeguard the bicycle status of e-bikes – this is also key to maintaining access rights off-road [for cyclists].”
But deciding where that cap should sit, and whether peak power is even the right metric to regulate, is far less straightforward.
Unlike the already regulated speed and continuous power figures, peak power can theoretically be manipulated depending on how manufacturers measure and market output, with those high numbers only being produced for short periods on the trails.
There’s also the question of rider behaviour.
A well-controlled high-power motor ridden responsibly may prove less problematic than a Heath Robinson-style conversion eMTB.
Equally, trail conflict is often more closely linked to rider behaviour than motor specifications alone.
For now, though, the poll highlights a growing sense of discomfort among riders as ebike performance evolves rapidly.
Whether that leads to formal regulation or self-imposed industry restraint remains to be seen.
What’s clear is that the debate around ebike power is now a mainstream concern.
