Christmas is coming E bikes and Scooters advice

Good morning.

Christmas is on it's way and many children will have an electric bike on their list. Not everybody is aware of the legality of electric bikes and what the differences are between legal bikes and illegal bikes.

Hopefully the below will help.

You will see many stores selling electric scooters. Scooters of this type are all intended for off road use. They are classed as a mechanically propelled vehicle because they can move under their own power rather than using your feet to push. 

Unfortunately, they can be seized and disposed of when stopped.

Regarding bikes. The only legal bikes that can be used on the highway have a maximum motor of 250w and it will only move if the rider is pedalling.

These are called EAPC- Electric Assisted Pedal Cycles

You can ride an electric bike if you’re 14 or over, as long as it is an ‘electrically assisted pedal cycle’ (EAPC).

You do not need a licence to ride an EAPC and it does not need to be registered, taxed or insured.

When your bike is an EAPC

An EAPC:

It can be propelled up to 15.5mph without pedalling but only if it’s been approved.

Its electric motor:

What your EAPC must show

Markings on the bike must show both:

It must also show either:

Where you can ride an EAPC

If your bike is an EAPC then you can ride it on cycle paths and anywhere else pedal bikes are allowed.

Bikes that have a throttle control that enables the bike to go over 3.7 mph(walking speed) are also illegal. Some bikes on the internet can exceed 36 MPH on the throttle. Not a safe speed for a pedal bike.

So the take away advice to parents would be, if you are thinking of buying an electric scooter for your child to use on roads or footpaths. DON'T. If we seize it, you won't get it back and you will be out of pocket.

If you are buying an E bike. Make sure that the motor doesn't exceed 250 watts. It will only move when the pedals are turned, (unless it has a throttle assist not exceeding 3.7 MPH.) or is approved.

Illegal bikes are available across the internet and may  describe themselves as fit for the roads. Please do your homework on them and don't waste thousands of pounds.