The Bicycling Advocacy Group said today that recent changes to the Low Powered Vehicle and Cycling Regulations were a significant step forward in tackling congestion and encouraging the public to use pedelecs for short trips and commuting.

The changes help to clarify the difference between a pedelec producing just 250w or 0.33HP and far more powerful petrol powered conversions.

Pedelecs need to be actively pedalled just like a bicycle, but take far less effort to do so, making riding to work in office clothes in the hot Maltese climate a reality, the group said.

‘The power is really coming from the rider and switches off at 25KPH, so it is basically treated elsewhere in the EU like a normal bicycle’ a spokesperson for the NGO promoting bicycle use said.

Pedelec riders will still have to wear a bicycle helmet, which was retained under the revised regulations.

"Judging from the experience of other countries with mandatory helmet laws, this means that public bike share using pedelecs is off the negotiating table.

"We simply can’t see it being commercially viable to give each and every patron hiring a bike at a docking station, a clean hygienic helmet. It hasn’t worked (with helmets) in countries with far higher customer bases, it’s highly unlikely that it will work here," the group said. "Things are looking a bit grim for the pedelec based public bike share (sustainable transport) proposals that we have heard about".

The group said that although the VAT refund on pedelecs was welcome, the government might need to do far more to encourage pedelecs and mainstream cycling to make up the shortfall in uptake and provide an equivalent level of safety.