ELECTRIC BICYCLE (E-BIKE) ENTRY OPTIONS

E-Bike (electric bicycle) entry options will be available once again for the 2024 MTB and Road race edition for the following races: MTB race 30km Leisure and 60km Adventure and Road race 106km Classic. With it growing in popularity – whether for leisure, a new means of commuting or to keep fit, many can attest that there has been a significant uptake in interest within Nelson Mandela Bay.

Kindly note that the introduction of the e-bike race entry option was not an offhand and instant decision made by the event organizers. Months of acute planning and consultation with experienced race officials has gone into this to ensure that safety is foremost maintained a priority – for both the regular and the e-bike riders, while at the same time ensuring that all riders have an enjoyable experience on-route. E-bike riders for the road race will be allocated a start group.

By participating in The Herald Cycle Tour with an E-bike, you confirm/agree to the following: 

  • Entering with a “pedal assisted E-bike” confirms that your primary focus is on participation, rather than racing. 

  • E-bikes are to start in the E-bike allocated start group only, and may not ride in or with any other groups whatsoever.   

  • Your E-bike is categorised as a “pedal assisted E-bike” and meets all local laws regarding the definition of a “pedal assisted E-bike”.  This includes, but is not limited to the laws pertaining to “throttle” assisted bicycles which are prohibited. 

  • Your E-bike has not been modified (through the likes of software manipulation or “chipping”) from the original manufacturers specifications in order to increase the speed governing legal “pedal assisted E-bikes”. 

  • E-bikes may carry a spare battery with them prior to starting the race. This may not be collected while on-route.

  • You will not interact with any other start groups, including racing categories.  No other rider from a separate start group will be allowed to draft you at any given time. 

  • You agree that pedal bicycles have the right of way and that E-bikes overtaking pedal bicycles should be performed at an appropriate manner and at a safe time.  E-bikes overtaking slower riders should be conducted in a manner that should not put slower riders at risk or create anxiety on their part.  E-bike riders may only overtake to the right of a rider. 

  • The fastest time that a cyclist, using an e-bike, may complete the event is 3hr 30min for the 106km event. Any e-bike cyclists recording a time of less than 3hr 30min will be disqualified.

  • You agree that disregarding the above could result in your position / time being removed from the results, as well as other penalties enforced, should race officials deem it necessary.

  • All participants riding on an e-bike need to be 19 years or older.