In Germany, speed pedelecs (up to 45 km/h) are usually only allowed on the road, require a driver's license, license plate, and insurance – a setup that keeps the segment at under 0.5% market share. Manufacturers like Stromer and Riese & Müller demand access to suitable bike lanes, public transport carriage, and clearer rules for speed limits on bike paths. In Belgium, tax-free mileage allowances and flexible infrastructure fuel the boom; in Switzerland, S-pedelecs are allowed on many bike paths.

From the manufacturer's perspective, the business case is there: commuting distances of 14–19 km are considered ideal, real consumption and ranges often make the S-Pedelec a car replacement. Brake block remains the purchase prices (often 10,000 € and more) as well as the legal classification as a light motorcycle. Field trials (including Tübingen) and manufacturer features like "Limit Mode"/"Cruise Control" are intended to facilitate integration into cycling networks. The key will be whether politics and municipalities adapt the infrastructure and set incentives – otherwise, speed pedelecs will remain a niche in this country, while neighboring countries occupy the market.