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E-Scooters and Electric Bikes |
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More illegal e-bikes have been taken off the road thanks to another joint operation with Cardiff Council. Officers and council staff worked together to continue tackling community concerns about mechanically propelled vehicles (MPVs) also known as illegal e-bike and scooters.
The total number of illegal MPVs seized since August 2025 is 633.
Please ensure you are familiar with the law and make safe, legal choices when purchasing an e-bike. Any e-bike with a throttle button or twist and go that delivers power to the wheel without the need for peddling, is classed as a motor vehicle under the Road Traffic Act 1988. This means the rules that apply to motor vehicles, also apply to e-scooters including the need to have a licence and insurance.
Riding an electric bike: the rulesYou can ride an electric bike, or an 'electrically assisted pedal cycle' (EAPC), without a license or insurance if you're 14 or over. An electric bike: must have pedals that you can use to propel it can have more than two wheels, for example a tricycle must have an electric motor that can run continuously at a maximum power of no more than 250 watts must have no electrical assistance once you reach 15.5 miles per hour (mph) If your electric bike fails to meet any of these requirements it needs to be taxed and insured as either a motorcycle or a moped.
When your bike is not an EAPCIf your electric bike does not meet the EAPC rules then it’s classed as a motorcycle or moped. Your bike is not an EAPC if it: It can be propelled up to 15.5mph without pedalling, for example, a ‘twist and go’ or a throttle has a continuous rated power output higher than 250 watts does not have pedals that can propel it If your bike is not an EAPCIf your electric bike is not an EAPC it must be registered and taxed. You need to: Get a valid driving licence to ride one Wear a motorcycle helmet that meet British safety standards Insure your vehicle If your bike is classed as a motorcycle or moped but has not been insured, you may get a fine or your bike may be seized by the police.
Riding an electric scooter: the rulesIt is illegal to ride a privately owned electric scooter (also known as an ‘e-scooter’) in public, for example on pavements, on roads or in parks. You could be fined and get penalty points on your driving licence. The scooter could also be seized by the police. You can only ride a privately owned electric scooter on private land with the permission of the landowner.
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