Police crack down on powerful e-bikes

We don’t like turning people away when the want cycle insurance. It’s happening more and more as UK police forces crack down on e-bikes too powerful to be considered bicycles.

Riders stopped at the roadside are told their powerful e-bikes require registration and insurance. Which is when they call us. However, we cover only road-legal electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs).

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

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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.

If your cycle has pedals and an electric motor of no more than 250 watts that cuts out once you’re travelling more than 15.5mph (25 km/h), then in the eyes of UK law it’s an EAPC (electrically assisted pedal cycle) sometimes referred to as an e-bike, or pedelec. It's important to remember that the 250W figure refers to the power of the motor and not the battery. If you're unsure about the power output of the motor (it's not always visibly marked), then make certain that motorised assistance cuts out at 15.5mph.

If the e-bike conforms to these requirements, you can ride it on the road or any cycle paths - anywhere a conventional bicycle can be used. It also means it will be easy 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. Oh, and if you break down we'll arrange for you and your electric bike to be taken to a repair shop, railway station or home (within a 25-mile radius).
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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) but are considered legal due to having been sold before the law changed.

Post-2016 full-throttle e-bikes can be legal if type approved. We describe how to do this here.

E-bike insurance

Every ETA cycle insurance policy includes:

• Theft, accidental damage & vandalism
• E-bike battery theft cover
• Cycle Rescue (breakdown cover for  you and your bike following puncture, mechanical fault or even flat battery)
• No devaluation of your bike over time
• £2m third party PLUS £20,000 personal accident cover
• Shed and garage storage
• Low standard excess of 5% (£50 minimum)

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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