For quite a while now, the law around the use of electric bikes in the UK has been somewhat hazy. However, with more and more people choosing to get around on these type of bikes, there has been somewhat of a shift. This change has meant that there is a much clearer picture of what e-bike riders can expect when they get ready to ride.
It was, until recently, the case that electric bikes in the UK were subject to the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles regulations. These regulations were created in the 1980s and to be honest, were rather outdated. The maximum power of the motor was restricted to 200W, the speed was set to a maximum of 15mph. There were no guidelines or rules set out that covered safety equipment or even training and anyone over the age of 14 was able to jump on the bike.
For years, this was the only law that e-bike riders had to abide by, until November 2014 when talks began to update the legislation and make some much needed changes. These changes came into force in April 2015.
Here are some of the main points that you need to keep in mind if you want to make sure that you are on the right side of the law when it comes to your electric-bike.
Your bike must always have pedals
This one may sound a little on the obvious side, but in order for your bike to be classed as an e-bike you need to have pedals. Pedals that propel you forward.
It must have a power rating of no more than 250w
When it comes to power, your e-bike must have a continuous rated power of no more than 250w. There is a little wiggle room with this, as it is open to definition. However, you do need to keep this in mind.
It cannot travel over 15.5mph
In order to keep within the regulations, the electrical assistance on your e-bike must cut out when you reach speeds of 15.5mph. Of course, if you can reach that with pedal power alone then there isn’t much that they can do about that.
You have to be over 14 years old
If you are under the age of 14 then you are not able to ride an e-bike.
You can have twist and go power (with limitations of course)
The idea of a twist and go bike is that it usually appeals to those who are disabled and elderly. They don’t rely on pedals, instead they have an almost throttle like approach to getting the power underway. In the UK, you can have a throttle and still be classed as an electric bike, but you also need to have a pedal assist mode. Even if you don’t have to use them to get the motor running.
Higher power modes are not allowed, even if they are marketed as off-road
For some time in the UK, electric bikes have been offered with higher-power modes, however have been sold as off-road, only to be used on private land. Unfortunately, this wasn’t always the case and sometimes those power modes were being activated in a public setting.
In doing this, the EAPC regulation need to add in that any e-bike that is more powerful than 250w, should be registered, insured, taxed and have its tyres approved. Just like a road vehicle. Not only this, but you also need to make sure that you wear a motorcycle helmet when riding them too. Much like a small motorbike or moped.
Regulations for riding an e-bike in the UK are likely to be more complicated than you realise. When you add in that you need to also think about all the legislation that covers regular bikes, then that is a lot to think about. However, it is important to remember that these laws are there to help to keep you safe and protected. Not to make things difficult for you.