UK gives e-bikes a rough ride

The UK government seems intent on keeping e-bikes the Cinderella of electric vehicles.

Despite their massive potential to help the country decarbonise, year after year e-bikes remain the only type of electric vehicle to be excluded from subsidies. And as we wait for the nationwide charging points required by electric cars, legislators appear to wilfully overlook the fact that e-bikes don't need this type of infrastructure; bicycle batteries are small enough to be quickly and easily charged from any household electricity supply.

{{cta-ebike}}

UK e-bike sales lag behind France

Meanwhile, issues around retrofit e-bike kits, often imported and of questionable quality, remain unaddressed, adding further obstacles for the cycling industry.

These oversights are stifling growth in e-bike sales, which, at around 150,000 units per year, have stagnated since 2021. In stark contrast, France - spurred by government subsidies - now sees sales of over 750,000 e-bikes annually, despite a similar population size and comparable sales figures before its incentives were introduced.

Speaking to the APPGCW (All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycle and Walking) last week, Peter Eland from the Bicycle Association, warned: ‘Electric bikes are 15% of all bikes sold in the UK, but 36% by monetary value. That 36% of the market is critical for industry and is exclusive of these e-bike kits. This (flatlined) trend is completely the opposite of most mainland European countries. There is obviously a need for transport decarbonisation in play for the Government. With these concerns (about the product safety) affordable business insurance is increasingly out of reach to e-bike retailers.’

Elsewhere, countries are reaping the benefits of a more progressive stance on e-bikes. In the Netherlands, e-bikes now account for nearly five million units, valued at an astonishing €10 billion. The fleet compromises a blend of electric city bikes (75%), hybrids (17%), speed pedelecs ( 2%),e-cargo bikes (2%), mountain bikes (2%), folding bikes (1%), and trikes (1%). These figures reflect how there’s an e-bike option to suit nearly every type of rider.

With 25% of car trips in the UK covering less than a mile, and 71% less than five miles, the potential for e-bikes is enormous. All it would take is for the government to acknowledge the role e-bikes could play in making transport cleaner and more sustainable.

Insurance for e-bikes

Our e-bike insurance includes everything you’d expect, like theft, accidental damage and vandalism cover – plus a few things you might not. For example, we have a no-quibble battery theft policy, zero devaluation for life, and if you break down on your electric bike, or run out of battery, you can call us 24/7 and we’ll arrange a rescue. Whether you ride a tricycle, folding, mountain or cargo electric bike, our comprehensive policy has you covered.

Every ETA cycle insurance policy includes the following as standard:

• Theft, accidental damage & vandalism
• E-bike battery theft cover
• Cycle Rescue (breakdown cover for your electric bicycle and you)
• 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.

{{cta-ebike}}

‍

‍

{{cta-ebike}}

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍