The public relations time bomb for e-bikes

A failure to clamp down on illegal electric motorcycles is fuelling a public backlash against road legal e-bikes. A survey claims three quarters of Londoners believe e-bikes should be taxed, insured and have a number plate like mopeds.

However, public opinion may be more nuanced than the survey suggests. The Urban Road Safety Index fails to distinguish between road legal electric bicycles and the far more powerful battery-powered motorcycles frequently used by delivery riders in towns and cities across the UK. Perhaps they can be forgiven for this oversight given how many people mistake one for the other.

The mischaracterisation arises because the term e-bike means different things to different people.

What is an e-bike?

The term e-bike is confusing because it’s used by the media to describe everything from the smallest folding electric bicycle up to electric motorcycles capable of motorway speeds. Worse still, terms like pedelecs, EAPCs and 'twist-and-go' start to become interchangeable and make things even more complicated.

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Electric Assist Pedal Cycles (EPACS)

If you want an electric bicycle that’s road legal straight out of the box, then it will be an EPAC. The clue is in the name. You will only get assistance from the electric motor when you pedal. If you are not turning the pedals, you don’t get any help at all. UK law restricts the power of the motor to 250W and the motor must cut out automatically at 15mph.

There is an exception to this rule. If you would like your electric bicycle to have a ‘twist and go’ or throttle-only function, there is a process you can follow. More details here.

Any electric bike with a motor larger than 250W is no longer considered a bicycle and requires motor insurance.

Speed pedelecs

Speed pedelecs are a more powerful type of electric bike. They still have pedals but a a larger motor can power you all the way to 28mph. However, theyare classed as a light moped (L1e-B) and as such require a number plate, insurance and that the rider wears an approved crash helmet. If you have a full driving licence already you may be entitled to ride one without displaying learner plates.

Electric motorcycles

Electric two-wheelers that are neither EPACs or speed pedelecs are electric motorcycles and subject to exactly the same laws as petrol-powered bikes.

Public perception of e-bikes

E-bikes are fantastically popular. They have proved a lifeline for the cycle trade and have the potential to get more people out of their cars. However, fear of e-bike battery fires and worries about fast and unregulated models being used in town centres are a public relations time bomb that threatens the image of this important transport mode. Many of the challenges stem from unregulated imports and unscrupulous online retailers and they need dealing with swiftly and decisively.

In the meantime, the best advice for consumers here in the UK is to buy from a reputable dealer. Wherever you buy your next e-bike, check the motor does not exceed 250W and never mix and match chargers and batteries.

It would be a mistake to assume these challenges are confined to the UK. Dutch police now use a roadside device to test whether e-bikes comply with the law. The mobile rolling road test benches can assess whether e-bikes, speed pedelecs and electric fatbikes comply with the law. Riders of illegal e-bikes risk a €290 fine (almost £250).

Insurance for e-bikes

Electric bicycles are expensive to replace and attractive to thieves. Every ETA insurance policy includes theft & accidental damage cover, no-quibble battery theft cover and Cycle Rescue breakdown cover plus many other benefits. Read a full list of everything we include as standard.

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The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.

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