Is the UK about to green-light 500w e-bikes?

Electric bicycles powered by 500w motors may soon be legal on UK streets.

The Department for Transport today launched a consultation on doubling the e-bike motors from 250w to 500w - as well as permitting them to be controlled by a throttle. Currently, the rider must pedal for the electric motor to start working.

The plans do not propose increasing the maximum powered speed of e-bikes from the current 15.5mph.

The consultation has already been criticised by the cycling industry.

Why does the government want to increase e-bike limit to 500w?

There's little doubt the changes are being proposed because illegal 500W e-bikes and retro-fitted motors have become common on UK roads. However, simply upping the legal limit on motor size risks bringing problems of its own.

Some e-bike riders already hack software to remove the speed limiter, and 500w bikes could make this problem far worse. Another problem may stem from more e-bikes being imported from China. The EU has the same 250w limit for electric bicycles as the UK. As a result, if the UK up the limit to 500w, buyers may acquire 500w e-bikes from countries where battery safety rules are less strict.

Currently, if your electric bicycle is equipped with a motor over 250W, or doesn't cut out at 15.5 mph – in the eyes of the law it's a motorcycle and as such needs to be registered, insured and taxed. You'll also need the appropriate driving licence and helmet approved for motorbike use.

These so-called speed pedelecs have been given their own type approval in Europe so that they can be ridden like bicycles subject to certain conditions. This would seem a less muddled proposal on which to consult.

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Derestricted e-bikes and UK law

There's a thriving market for tech that allows e-bikes to be derestricted. However, once an electric bicycle exceeds the power limits set out in UK regulations, it becomes a motorcycle in the eyes of the law. That means if you're stopped by the police, or are involved in a crash, you can be charged with riding an unlicensed and uninsured motorbike. The result is likely to be penalty points on your driving licence if you have one. All-in-all, an expensive price to pay for getting a little more speed from your e-bike.

On a related matter, beware e-bikes that sold with speed limiters you can alter yourself. The ability to temporarily restrict an e-bike to 15.5mph does not make it legal for use on British roads. Apart from anything else, you won't be able to insure this type of e-bike as a bicycle.

Is my e-bike legal?

There are so many different types of e-bike on the market, it can be tricky to know which are road legal - especially with some importers claiming that speed limiters are all you need to conform with British law.

E-bike legislation varies by country so buying second-hand, or online from abroad, can lead to confusion. Here in the UK, e-bikes used anywhere other than private land must not provide powered assistance beyond 15.5 mph (25 km/h) and maximum continuous rated power up to 250W.

If your bike has pedals and a 250 watt motor that cuts out over 15.5mph (25 km/h), then it’s considered to be an EAPC (electrically assisted pedal cycle). As such, you can ride it on the road or any cycle paths - anywhere a conventional bicycle can be used. It also means you won't find it any trouble to insure.

For example, here at the ETA, we charge no extra for insuring an electric bicycle and include £2m third party cover and protection against battery theft as standard. If you break down - even if it's a flat battery - we'll arrange for you and your e-bike to be recovered.

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My electric bicycle has a throttle - is it legal?

Since January 1 2016, the only throttles legal on new bikes are those that provide starting assistance ie. assist the rider without pedalling up to a maximum speed of 3.7 mph. At that speed, the throttle cuts off. If the cyclist pedals at the same time, the throttle can still assist up to the 15.5mph limit.

Bikes sold before January 1 2016 may have a full-speed throttle (you don't need to pedal at all to reach the 15.5mph limit). However, they are not subject to the restrictions.

E-bike insurance

We cover all road-legal electric bicycles as standard. If the output of your electric bicycle does not exceed 250 W/15.5 mph, we’ll cover it under our cycle insurance at no additional cost.

We also include Cycle Rescue as standard. If your e-bike develops a mechanical fault, you can call on our breakdown team 24/7.

Read a full list of everything we include as standard.

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