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A quick and easy guide to electrifying a bike in Lyon

Take your bike on an adventure in one of France's most bike-friendly cities. There's no need to buy a new bike - an old one will do just fine. Thanks to bike electrification kits and subsidies from the Metropole, you can give your bike a new lease of life without breaking the bank. Cycling is strongly encouraged in Lyon. In fact, the city is inviting residents to include this means of transport as part of their standard. Both ecological and economical, in the city center or on the outskirts, the use of bicycles is highly recommended. To make it easier for residents to embrace this vision, the Metropole de Lyon is awarding a subsidy for the conversion of bicycles into electrically-assisted bicycles or EABs.

540Wh battery (approx. 70km)

Pedal motor with torque sensor (250W and 80N.m)

Display with Open Source firmware

Give new life to your favorite bike

Good for your finances, good for the environment!

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Article summary

Grants and subsidies in Lyon

Individuals and businesses alike can benefit from these grants awarded by the Metropole de Lyon. This assistance is a kind of contribution by the city to a person’s ecological inclusion. It involves transforming any type of bicycle into an electric bike fitted with a motor and battery. Applications are submitted online via the dedicated platform.

To obtain a subsidy, it is important to meet the following criteria:

  • Applications from people living in one of the 58 communes of the Metropole are eligible;
  • People who have already received assistance over the past 4 years are not eligible for subsidies;
  • The taxable income per unit of the persons concerned must not exceed 24,900 euros ;
  • Applications must be accompanied by proof of address less than 3 months old from the date of submission;
  • Your bike’s conversion must not include a battery capable of pushing the bike beyond a speed of 25 km/h. Otherwise, you risk losing the grant;
  • A copy of the EN 15194 approval certificate is required. This ensures that your VAE or electrically-assisted bicycle complies with the prescribed standards. This certification is available from the store or workshop where you purchased your electrification kit.

Which kit should I choose for my bike?

Although it’s possible to electrify any type of bike, not all conversion kits are suitable for all bikes. So it’s important to choose the right electrification kit for your bike.

Quality electrical kit

Choose a quality electric kit. It generally consists of a motor, a long-life battery and an LCD screen. This screen, also known as the control panel, is used to monitor the battery status and speed of the electric bike.

 

Conversion kit EN 15194 approved

Choose an EN 15194-approved conversion kit. Electric bikes with this approval can be used anywhere in France. Among other things, it means that the speed of the electric bike does not exceed the standards imposed by law.

For speed enthusiasts who opt for a more powerful conversion kit, such as the TSDZ8 motor orSyklo’s DM01 1000 W motor, then they won’t be eligible for subsidies from the city of Lyon. You should also bear in mind that these engines are not authorized for use on public roads.

 

Pedal motor kits

Pedal motor kits are also a wise choice. The latter are known to ensure the stability of the electric bike while avoiding imbalance during pedaling. Generally speaking, they’re very expensive, but value for money, they’re worth it. Especially for climbing the Fourvière or Croix Rousse slopes…

 

Frame-compatible electric kit

Buy an electric kit that matches your bike’s bottom bracket frame. In simple terms, it’s essential to check the compatibility of the electric kit and the bike. For example, some motors may require a bottom bracket between 68 and 73 mm with a diameter of 33.5 mm.

Kit Syklo: a must-have for electric bikes

Although there are many stores and workshops offering bike electrification kits, few of them really meet customers’ needs. For the best possible experience with your VAE, it’s essential to buy quality kits like those from Syklo. Syklo offers electrification kits for over 98% of bicycles, with a 24-month warranty.

Each kit is manufactured with durability, safety and reliability in mind. For bikes requiring special care, Syklo also offers quality accessories such as reinforced chains, bottom bracket adapters, handlebar extensions and battery mounting brackets.

For those wishing to electrify their bikes themselves, Skylo offers not only bike electrification kits, but also tools. Tools such as internal or external bottom bracket disassemblers and crank pullers are available from Skylo. It offers 3 choices of kits at very competitive prices.

 

TSDZ2B electric bike kit

EN15194-approved, the TSDZ2B is ideal for those who want to ride with complete peace of mind on the public roads of Metropolitan France. Holder of the Tongsheng TSDZ2 patent: PCT/CN2014/091373, the TSDZ2B engine guarantees good performance and reliability. What’s more, the Torque Sensor makes controlling speed and engine power child’s play. It also comes with a professional or expert display, depending on the buyer’s choice. Its 250 Wh or 630 Wh battery is designed with an aluminum shell, making it water-resistant. The 630 Wh battery has a range of 90 to 130 km, depending on driving conditions.

 

TSDZ8 electric bike kit

The TSDZ8 bottom bracket motor is suitable for bikes with standard 68 – 73 mm bottom brackets. This engine is acclaimed for its high power output, reaching 110 Nm of torque and 860W. Despite its power, this motor considerably reduces energy consumption. It combines lightness, comfort and speed.

With its robust, advanced, self-contained battery, it’s ideal for adventurers covering very long distances. Its optimized size fits easily on bicycles, without compromising aesthetics or maneuverability. However, this type of bike is prohibited on public roads due to its high power output.

 

DM01 electric bike kit

Featuring power of 1,000 Wthis motor far surpasses the power of the Bafang BBHD. Thanks to its 160 Nm of torque, it’s easy to climb steep slopes. The Expert T24 display gives at-a-glance access to essential information on the bike’s condition. Elegant, lightweight, functional, powerful and durable are the words that best describe this motor.

As with the other kits, the user can choose the drum kit that suits him best. He can choose between a 480 Wh or 840 Wh battery. The first provides a range of 40 km, while the second has a range of 60 km. What’s more, its advanced connectivity function keeps track of battery status. Like the TSDZ8, DM01 motorized bicycles are only permitted on private tracks or lanes.

Where can I have my kit installed in Lyon?

For your installation and also to have access to the city subsidy, you can turn to our partners:

La RénoCyclette (Rue de Marseille, 69007 Lyon, France): Located in the heart of Lyon, La RénoCyclette is a benchmark workshop for transforming your traditional bike into an electric model. Headed by Romain Jacquemet, the expert team takes particular care with each project, guaranteeing a safe and appropriate modification. For more information or to book an appointment, contact the workshop by email at larenocyclette@gmail.com. Checkupvélos (7 Bis Rue César Paulet, Collonges-au-Mont-d’Or, 69660, France): Checkupvélos, run by Romain Davot, is another trusted partner for bike electrification in the Lyon region. Located in Collonges-au-Mont-d’Or, this workshop offers personalized services, ensuring that each bike is optimized to meet the specific needs of its users.

For further details or to schedule a conversion, send an e-mail to checkupvelos@yahoo.fr.

Vincent Cycles (10 Grande Rue de Saint Clair, Caluire et Cuire, 69300, France): In Caluire et Cuire, Vincent Cycles is renowned for its expertise in bicycle electrification. Under the direction of Vincent Barthelemy, this workshop offers tailor-made solutions for transforming your bike. With a focus on quality and durability, Vincent Cycles is a must for those looking to move towards a greener mode of transport. Contact the workshop by email at contact@vincentcycles.com for more information.

The best circuits for testing your VAE

You’ve finally got your VAE, and now it’s time to test it. The good news is that Lyon is known as one of the most bike-friendly cities in France. It boasts more than 540 kilometers of cycle paths. What’s more, each year we are committed to adding more than 30 kilometers of bike paths to get from one point to another throughout the area.

Discover Lyon’s emblematic landscapes on your electrically-assisted bike.

  • The Dombes

The trails in Les Dombes are ideal for amateur cyclists. Located to the north-east of Lyon, Les Dombes offers the opportunity to cycle on flat terrain while enjoying the wild birds and countless ponds along the way.

  • Monts d’Or and Monts du Lyonnais

The first is located in the northwest of Lyon. Its highest point is 626 meters above sea level. The latter are located in the west of the city. These mountains are appreciated for their peace and quiet, and for the demanding nature of their steep slopes. These routes are best suited to trained cyclists.

  • The famous Quais du Rhône trail

This track is by far the most popular in France, and has been for several years. To date, no fewer than 18,000 cyclists use it every day. Work is currently underway to widen the path and extend it over a distance of 18 kilometers by 2026. The metropolis’ aim is to link the route from Vaulx-en-Velin to Saint-Fons with the Doua campus, the high quays on the left bank of the Rhône and the Gerlands district.

FAQ

How much does it cost to electrify your bike in Lyon?

The price of electrifying a bike depends on a number of criteria, including the condition of the conventional bike frame, the quality of the motor, and individual needs and expectations.

How can I benefit from assistance from the Metropole de Lyon?

To take advantage of the Lyon Metropolitan Council’s grants, you need to meet its eligibility criteria. If you are eligible, you can submit your application on the dedicated platform.

Why use an electric conversion kit?

A new VAE can be very expensive and doesn’t necessarily fit into everyone’s budget. Thanks to electric conversion kits, it’s possible to transform an old or mechanical bike into a sophisticated VAE. What’s more, it allows cyclists to ride easily without too much effort and to control speed. For long-distance travel, electrically-assisted bikes are more comfortable and lighter.

Where to electrify your bike in Lyon?

To electrify your bike in Lyon, bring your electric kit to Syklo, La RénoCyclette’s workshop (address: Rue de Marseille, Lyon, 69007, France).

 

Discover other cities :

540Wh battery (approx. 70km)

Pedal motor with torque sensor (250W and 80N.m)

Display with Open Source firmware

Give new life to your favorite bike

Good for your finances, good for the environment!

*From €850 with battery 🫣

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