The resolution of the National Traffic Council (Contran) on electric bicycles, mopeds and self-propelled vehicles comes into force this Thursday (1/1) and puts the owners of some of these vehicles in the crosshairs of control. The regulation, presented in 2023 and which comes into force immediately, limits places of circulation and requires registration and a national driving license (CNH), depending on the model.
On cycle paths like Avenida Faria Lima, west of São Paulo, the number of electric vehicles even exceeds that of conventional bicycles. Until mid-December, some were still unaware that the resolution would come into force.
The market for light electrical equipment is growing and the resolution aims to organize traffic in cities and establish clear rules on what is allowed and what is not. To do this, you must first understand the differences between each type of vehicle and the specific requirements of each.
Self-propelled
These are small motorcycles, scooters, scooters and unicycles, among others, whose speed and power are limited at the factory.
- One or more wheels
- Whether or not it has a self-balancing system
- Maximum power up to 1000 watts
- Maximum speed up to 32 kilometers per hour
- Width no more than 70 centimeters and wheelbase up to 130 centimeters
What the driver should know
- No need to have a driving license
- No license plate, license or registration required
Mandatory equipment
- Indicator and/or electronic speed limiter
- Doorbell
- Nighttime, front, rear and side signaling, integrated into the equipment
Electric bike
These are classic bicycles equipped with a battery and an electric motor, whose power and speed are limited at the factory.
- Two wheels
- Maximum power up to 1 thousand watts
- The motor only runs when the driver pedals (assisted pedaling)
- No accelerator
- Maximum speed up to 32 kilometers per hour
What the driver should know
- No need to have a driving license
- No license plate, license or registration required
Mandatory equipment
- Indicator and/or electronic speed limiter
- Doorbell
- Night signaling front, rear, side and on the pedals
- Left side mirror
- Tires in minimum safety conditions
Moped
These are motorcycles and scooters with up to four times more power than self-propelled vehicles and a higher speed limit.
- Two or three wheels
- Combustion engine with a maximum volume of 50 cubic centimeters and electric drive motor with a maximum power of 4,000 watts
- Maximum speed up to 50 kilometers per hour
What the driver should know
- You must hold a driving license (category A) or an authorization to drive a moped (ACC)
Mandatory equipment
- Mopeds must be equipped with the mandatory equipment established in the Brazilian Highway Code (CTB) and in the specific Contran regulations.
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
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Faria Lima cycle path, in the western area of São Paulo
Traffic locations
Concerning the places where electric and self-propelled bicycles can circulate, it will be up to the municipal authorities to define the limits.
However, some rules are already set out in the resolution itself. They cannot exceed 6 kilometers per hour in pedestrian areas. They also cannot travel on roads where the maximum authorized speed exceeds 40 kilometers per hour.
They will be able to travel on cycle paths, but the maximum authorized speed will be defined by the town hall.
Quick unlock
Although the legislation exempts driver’s licenses and registration plates for self-propelled vehicles that leave the factory with a limit of 32 kilometers per hour, many consumers easily favor unlocking this gearbox to achieve higher speeds.
In one of the stores visited by Metropolises During Christmas week, one of the attendants said that 90% of customers ask for the speed limit to be unlocked before even leaving with the product.
Without the limiter, these small motorcycles or scooters can exceed 60 kilometers per hour, thus breaking the law. Those who ride the cycle paths of the capital São Paulo can easily notice these “rockets” passing at a significantly higher speed than the others, which can cause accidents.
In addition to unlocking in the store itself, the owner can find a series of tutorials on the Internet with which he can increase the speed limit himself. There are situations in which this happens mechanically and others via a code on the vehicle’s electronic panel.
Those interviewed by the report say that only concentrated inspection of motor vehicles and seizure of vehicles that break the rules can prevent this type of speed limiter “hacking”.
To measure the maximum speed during a traffic stop, radar is not necessary. The measurement is carried out on an easel.
Decree
THE Metropolises found that a decree should regulate traffic on cycle paths in the city of São Paulo, where the speed limit will officially be 20 kilometers per hour. There will also be details on who will carry out the inspection, which could be the responsibility of traffic officers and even the Metropolitan Civil Guard (GCM).
One of the rules envisaged provides that self-propelled vehicles have an electronic speed limiter, a “cycle path mode”, so that they do not exceed 20 kilometers per hour on these sections.
Detran and São Paulo City Hall
When contacted, the State Department of Traffic (Detran) said inspection of mopeds that meet the Contran criteria begins in January and owners must provide registration and license as they will be subject to penalties under the law, including fines and removal of the vehicle.
According to Detran, the identification of technical criteria, such as power, displacement and maximum manufacturing speed, must be done through official documents, such as the purchase invoice.
“In the coming days, Detran-SP will also launch a special page on its official portal, with a brand/model guide and technical information to guide owners and inspection agents,” the agency underlines in a note.
The City of São Paulo, through the Traffic Engineering Company (CET), said it would carry out inspections based on the rules established by Contran.
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