U.K. E-bike Law. (Gov.uk vague explanation)

You can ride an electric bike if you’re 14 or over, as long as it meets certain requirements.

These electric bikes are known as ‘electrically assisted pedal cycles’ (EAPCs). You do not need a licence to ride one and it does not need to be registered, taxed or insured.

What counts as an EAPC

An EAPC must have pedals that can be used to propel it.

It must show either:

• the power output

• the manufacturer of the motor

It must also show either:

• the battery’s voltage

• the maximum speed of the bike

Its electric motor:

• must have a maximum power output of 250 watts

• should not be able to propel the bike when it’s travelling more than 15.5mph

An EAPC can have more than 2 wheels (for example, a tricycle).

Where you can ride

If a bike meets the EAPC requirements it’s classed as a normal pedal bike. This means you can ride it on cycle paths and anywhere else pedal bikes are allowed.

Other kinds of electric bike

Any electric bike that does not meet the EAPC rules is classed as a motorcycle or moped and needs to be registered and taxed. You’ll need a driving licence to ride one and you must wear a crash helmet.

Getting vehicle approval for your electric bike

An electric bike must be type approved if either:

• it can be propelled without pedalling (a ‘twist and go’ EAPC)

• it does not meet the EAPC rules

This should have been done by the manufacturer or importer before you bought it. If it’s been type approved, it will have a plate showing its type approval number.

ElectroHeads

UpdateAre electric bikes legal? UK law explained (March 2023 update)

Mar 01, 2023

Eilis Barrett

Electric bikes are classified as ‘electrically assisted pedal cycles’, or EAPCs so are perfectly legal to ride as long your ebike meets the DVLA's EAPC rules. The key ones to obey are:

• The pedals must be in motion for electric assistance to be provided

• A maximum power output of 250W

• No electric assistance over 15.5mph.

Rules electric bikes don't need to meet

That's what the bike has to do. Here's what you don't need:

• You don't need a licence, as with a non electric bike.

• There's no legal need to register, tax or insure the bike (although we recommend insuring ebikes).

• You don't need special permission as EAPC-compliant ebikes are classed as a normal pedal bike. They can be ridded on any private or public property where a standard bicycle is allowed - including cycle paths.

Finally, you must be aged 14 or above to ride an electric bike. The age limit for mopeds is 16 but electric bikes are less powerful.

The rules for faster ebikes 

If your ebike is above the 15.5mph or 250w limit, it's called a speed pedelec, or s-pedelec and is counted as a motorcycle or moped. The manufacturer must have UK government approval. And you'll need to register and tax it, have a driving licence to ride it and wear a crash helmet while doing so. These pedelecs may even have mirrors, horns and number plate lights. You mustn't use them on cycle lanes. 

Rules lawyering

All the rules above apply in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Here are a few things to know about exactly how they are applied:

• Tricycles and tandems are fine as long as they meet the EAPC requirements.

• Some ebikes provide starting assistance without the user pedalling - this is OK as long as it is up to 6km per hour (3.7 miles).

• Electric bikes are perfectly legal on UK roads as normal pedal bikes are.

• What is the legal speed limit for electric bikes UK? Technically, road speed limits don't apply to bicycles. So in theory there is no speed limit for electric bikes in the UK - as long as the electric assistance cuts off at 15.5mph, you can cycle as fast as your pedalling can manage. 

• You can ride an electric bike if banned from driving in the UK as EAPC compliant models are bikes not motorbikes.

• You have to obey the general rules for biles -  so you need a white light on the front, a red light on the rear and amber pedal reflectors.

• You can buy kits on Amazon to increase the speed of ebikes - your bike will then not be legal to ride and you may invalidate any warranty. We do not recommend them.  

• You may invalidate your insurance if you don't use a quality lock. 

Ebike throttles

You can only have a throttle on a bike bought in 2016 or later if it assists the rider without pedalling at a maximum of 6km/h (3.7 mph). These "twist and go" throttles are designed to help people who have difficulty starting due to injury or disability. The throttle must cut off at 6 km/h if the user isn't pedalling - otherwise the bike isn't covered by the EAPC legislation. 

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