E-bike recall: E-bike from well-established manufacturer should no longer be ridden under any circumstances

Cube is recalling an e-bike, namely the 630070 CUBE Reaction Hybrid Rookie SLX 400 teamline 2023 27,5 (XS / 13.5"). The issue in question does not concern the manufacturing quality, so it is not necessarily an immediate health risk, but rather the software. Cube states that some of the models specified have a wheel circumference configured in such a way that deviates from the specification, thus "violating the maximum speed limit permitted with electric assist."

What would be manageable with a cyclometer has a different dimension with an e-bike, namely a legal one. In Germany, for example, bicycles with electric motors can be used without a license and without a driving license only if they provide acceleration and speed assistance up to 25 km/h. If the support system registers a speed that is too low, the acceleration can even exceed the permissible 25 km/h.

Cube states exactly this in its recall. The affected e-bikes should no longer be used on public roads until the issue has been resolved. Cube also points out the possible consequences: depending on the age of the driver, riding an e-bike may result in the loss of a driver's license or a ban on its approval/purchase, and in the event of an accident there could also be significant legal problems. The wheel circumference can be corrected by a Cube dealer, so the e-bike does not need to be sent in.