We will drive a route of 11km through The Hague under police guidance to create awareness for Light Electric Vehicles among the population, and to send a signal to local and national politics to make legalization possible.
RULES:
helmet is required
we drive through the city slowly and neatly
remain behind the police at all times
Team captains ride with it, listen to them
signs with expressions allowed
NETHERLANDS ARE BEHIND
Thanks to advances in technology, a series of new vehicles has emerged called LEVs, Light Electric Vehicles. Such as the electric scooter, electric skateboard, Onewheel and Monowheel. These electric vehicles are not children’s toys such as a Hoverboard, but are aimed at adult commuters and offer serious advantages such as very low energy consumption, no emissions, low purchase costs and most importantly: faster travel times!
Now a lot (uninsured) are driving around and risk a fine of 410 euros. Legalization has been around for years and could become a disaster with inspections, license plates and individual insurance policies. In Belgium - unlike in the Netherlands - it has been explicitly permitted to drive these vehicles on public roads since October 2016 and you are automatically insured regardless of the vehicle.
WHAT WE WANT
The possibility to insure light electric transportation. Insurers already want to offer this but are being stopped by the Ministry of I&W.
Allow light electric transport on the cycle path, with a maximum speed of 25 km / h. Just like the e-bike.
No type approval, or license plate obligation. There are so many types of vehicles that the RDW cannot handle this in terms of knowledge and manpower.
A minimum age from 16 years i.v.m. traffic insight and liability.
Helmet requirement for light electric vehicles: depending on the learning curve. Not for an electric scooter, but for balance vehicles such as electric skateboard and Onewheel.
ABOUT US
LegaalRijden.nl represents the users and debates with political parties, insurers and news organizations about the issues and possible solutions regarding the legalization of PLEVs.
The weather sucked, at some point it felt like we were under the shower but other than that it was a fun time and nice to meet some new people. We did make the news so we got some exposure for the petition and the movement which is great!
Although it wasnt all positive, when I just arrived and was talking to @Bavioze a motor cop approached me telling me I need a license plate and im being illegal when I drive my MTB. I told him I knew this and thats exactly why were are here and that everyone is currently not allowed to ride and that the organisers arranged the demonsttation so we can ride legally for a few km’s. I was literally standing next to 150 LEV users… He kept saying I was being illegal untill another police officer stepped in and explained the situation. Wonder why he picked me to talk to, probably cuz my MTB looks a bit intimidating
I hope this accelerates the process of legalisation, although I think only e steps and onewheels will be legalised first and soonish, but electric skateboards I am not so sure, especially not DIY boards since most people seemed intimidated by the (DIY) MTB’s and such
Anyway hope the guys in berlin will have better weather and get some publicity too
Yes the motor police was there to stop the entire demonstration. We have identified one of them that hunts on electric scooters daily at a neighbor city Leiden. Journalists had not seen the police act this strange in 15 years. It was literally two camps.
Luckily the police that were assigned to escort us were very friendly throughout the entire demonstration.
We are already in talks with the government again so that is a big win, they know we are here. We are also very happy that not just electric scooters but also electric skateboards, onewheel and euc’s are now in the picture for the general audience.
Two national Dutch news stations and one local reported on the demo which you can view here:
This message was sent by the ministery to the guy that started the Dutch LEV legalisation petition:
"More and more new vehicle innovations are and are coming onto the market. We define most of these vehicles as “LEV”: Light Electric Vehicles. For the benefit of road safety, the authorization of LEV must be unambiguously and carefully arranged. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has therefore started working on an LEV admission framework and as part of its approach it has asked stakeholders for input via an online consultation and / or various working groups. As a stakeholder, you have contributed in the past six months by sharing your knowledge and questions.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management would be happy to share the latest state of affairs and to discuss the admission of LEV with you. She will do this in the form of a webinar on Tuesday 29 September 2020, from 14:00 - 16:00."
but other than that it was a fun time and nice to meet some new people. We did make the news so we got some exposure for the petition and the movement which is great!
