UK Electric bike (ebike) Law

An ebike must have pedals that can be used to propel the bike and it can have more than two wheels, such as a tricycle. It must also conform to the following:

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 cut out when the bike is travelling more than 15.5mph

The minimum age for riding an ebike is 14 years old.

It is not mandatory to wear a cycling helmet whilst using an ebike, but it is recommended to, I the same way that you should wear a helmet when using a traditional bicycle.

A licence is not required to ride an ebike.

Ebike’s do not need insurance

An MOT is not needed if you wish to ride an ebike

As ebikes inherit the same set of laws that normal cycles do, it is illegal to ride an ebike on a pavement.

Yes, ebikes can be ridden on public roads

In the same way with pedal cycles, if you commit a road traffic offence then you can get points on your lience and/or a fine applied.

The maximum assisted speed of an ebike is 15.5mph.

Twist and go throttles are ones which can take the bike to full speed without any pedalling at all. However on 1st January 2016 the UK legislation states that any ebike that has twist and go functionality can only take the bike to a speed of 3.7mph. If the bike is moving at a speed greater than 3.7mph and the rider isn’t pedalling, then the throttle cuts off. Electric assist is only applied if the rider is pedalling up to a maximum speed of 15.5mph.