In many ways 45km/h e-bikes represent the overlap in the e-bike/e-moped Venn diagram. Chinese manufacturer Niu, who typically produce pedal-free electric bikes, have seemingly entered this particular niche from the opposite direction to most.

If you’ve read our guide to buying and riding an S-pedelec in the UK, you’ll know that while they may look like ordinary 25km/h e-bikes, legislatively speaking, faster electrically-assisted pedal cycles are basically considered mopeds.

If a bike offers pedal assistance above 25km/h, it will need to be taxed and insured and the rider will need a licence.

The Niu BQi-C3 Pro has pedals, but it also has a 500W motor (750W max), a 45km/h (28mph) top speed and the option of riding with the throttle only. (It also has twin batteries – one in the down tube, one in the seat tube – with a combined capacity of 920Wh.)

A bit of a square peg in a round legislative hole, this kind of light electric vehicle is a tricky sell in the UK and that’s probably why there are no signs of it being made available here.

It’s a US release for now, where it’s on sale for $1,999.

This isn’t however the first Niu e-bike we’ve reported on. A few months back we brought you news of the NIU SQi, an utterly perplexing 25km/h bike that is for some reason done up to look like a motorbike from a dystopian science fiction film.

That one’s been made for the Chinese market where the relevant vehicle category allows for the inclusion of a 400W motor.