Tampering with an E-bike is illegal
As a bike manufacturer we have a legal obligation to prevent the illegal use of our products, but at Giant we want to take it a step further. We care for the safety of our customers. That is why our system detects if an E-bike is being tampered with. This will result in the E-bike going into safety mode. Not only for legal reasons, but because we care about your safety.
What is tampering?
In the ‘tuning’ market nowadays there are several ways of tampering with your bike. Mechanisms such as tuning dongles or chip tuning give users a quick way of changing the maximum speed of your bike. Not only is this against the law, but it also can damage the motor and e-components of your bike beyond repair.
Voiding your warranty
Because our bikes are designed and produced as they are, we cannot guarantee the correct functionality of the bike and its components after tampering has occurred. Therefore, any form of tampering automatically voids the warranty on all E-bikes and components within Giant, Liv, and Momentum brands.
We want your ride to be safe
When your E-bike surpasses the maximum speed limit it will change the status of your e-Bike to a motorized vehicle, and it must meet the regulations for usage on the public roads. Should you be involved in an accident it could lead to substantial liability, expenses and even criminal prosecution, not to mention the risk of an accident with severe health issues.
For a long time, Giant has cooperated with the cycling industry to combat E-bike tampering. Giant is working together with manufacturers and cycling associations to counteract manipulation and tampering of E-bikes while we raise awareness about the risks and consequences of E-bike tampering. Participating partners have pledged to help prevailing anti-tampering regulations, continually enhance existing standards, and amplify public consciousness concerning the risks associated with tampering.
The guidelines articulated in EN 15194:2017 establish a consistent European benchmark for electrically power-assisted cycles (EPAC bicycles), encompassing all implicated components. Procuring an E-bike conforming to EN 15194:2017 assures buyers that the electric propulsion unit and other constituents meet the prescribed baseline requirements and function harmoniously. Additionally, EN 15194:2017 mandates the implementation of effective measures to avert or mitigate plausible manipulation, including speed tuning.
The Giant ecosystem
Giant, Liv, and Momentum E-bike systems boast software that can detect instances of tampering via computations conducted by multiple sensors. When tampering is detected, an error code signifying manipulation will be displayed, and the motor will fall into safety mode. The original factory settings can only be reinstated by Giant, which will be at the cost of the consumer. We do this to protect the Giant system that is functioning on our E-bikes. If we are unable to protect that system, the durability, functionality and safety of the bike cannot be guaranteed.
Purpose of your bike
In the end, it is all about using your bike the way it was designed and produced for. At Giant Group we are designing and manufacturing our products the best way possible. These high standards have led to bikes that are fun and easy to use. We do that with our riders in our minds. Tampering with our E-bikes is simply not necessary because you already get the best version of our E-bikes. Doing more is simply unsafe.
