Government consults on future of the electric bicycle

The popularity of electric-assist bicycles is a growing, global phenomenon with over 120 million of the bikes already in existence.

Over 20,000 electric-assist bicycles, or ‘e-bikes’ are sold in Britain each year and their growing popularity on roads around Europe has prompted calls for revised regulation.

Electrically-assisted pedal cycles

To allow vehicles to be sold throughout Europe there needs to be accepted standards. As is bound to be the case, the standards laid down by each of the twenty-seven member states of the union vary.

The European government introduced construction rules for powered two-wheeled vehicles in 2002, and in 2008 a standard for electrically-assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs).

The specification of EAPCs for use in Britain is currently regulated by The Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations 1983. These regulations need to be brought in line with the agreed new standards.

The British government consults with the ETA on many issues related to transport and in turn we would like to know what our members and supporters think about the issues raised.