Electric bikes are legal to ride in the UK. However, they must meet certain requirements. These requirements relate to the electric bike’s pedal assist capabilities, top speed, and publicly displayed manufacturer information.
In this article, we’ll cover the basics of electric bike UK law. You’ll also learn about the different Ebike classifications in the UK.
What Makes an Electric Bike Legal in the UK?
Electric bikes in the UK are legally known as ‘electrically assisted pedal cycles’ (EAPCs). An electric bike works like a conventional bicycle, but it has a battery that supplies power to the motor, which propels the Ebike forward when the rider uses the pedals.
- To be classified as an EAPC, an electric bike must:
- Have a pedal assist feature that cuts off at 15.5 mph (25 km/h)
- Publicly display manufacturer information such as the: battery voltage, top speed, power output, and manufacturer of the motor
- Have a motor with a maximum power output of 250 watts
- Have a white light on the front, and a red light on the rear
The above rules apply to traditional bicycles converted into electric bikes. In addition, an EAPC can have more than 2 wheels, such as an electric tricycle.
FURTHER READING: What is an Electric Bike and How Does It Work?
Rules for Riding an Electric Bike in the UK
An EAPC is subject to the same laws as a conventional pedal bike. This means you can ride one on public bike trails, highways, and anywhere else pedal bikes are allowed. Riders must be aged 14 years or above to ride an electric bike on public roads legally.
What if your electric bike does not meet EAPC requirements? In that case, you are still allowed to ride it, but you are subject to the same laws as mopeds and motorcycles. This means you must:
- Register, tax, and insure the vehicle
- Have a valid driver’s licence
- Wear a crash helmet,
- Not use cycling lanes
Once your non-EAPC-compliant electric bike meets the above criteria, you can ride anywhere a moped can. Unregistered and non-EAPC-compliant electric bikes can be ridden on only private land inaccessible to the public.
Do You Need a Licence for an Electric Bike?
You do not need a driver’s licence to ride an EAPC-compliant electric bike. This is because EAPC-compliant electric bikes follow the same rules as pedal bikes.
However, you must have a driver’s licence to ride a non-EAPC-compliant electric bike.
Are There Any Age Restrictions for Riding an Ebike?
To ride an electric bike on UK public roads legally, you must be aged 14 years or above. The age limit for riding non-EAPC-compliant electric bikes, as well as mopeds and motorcycles, is 16 years or above.
Anyone under 14 years old can ride an electric bike off-road, regardless of EAPC compliance.
Where Can You Ride an Electric Bike?
That depends on whether or not your electric bike is EAPC-compliant. If it is, you can ride it anywhere you would with a conventional pedal bike, including public footpaths, roads, highways, and off-road.
If your electric bike is not EAPC-compliant, then it’s illegal to ride it in the same way that you would with a pedal bike. That is until you register, tax, and insure the electric bike.
Do You Have to Wear a Helmet on an Electric Bike?
You are not legally required to wear a helmet when you ride an EAPC-compliant electric bike. However, it is highly advised that you do wear a helmet that conforms to current regulations. Doing so can help reduce the risk of a serious injury following an accident.
The only exception to the above is if your electric bike is not EAPC-compliant. In such cases, you must follow the same laws as mopeds and motorcycles, so you must wear a crash helmet.
Can You Ride an Electric Bike if You Are Banned from Driving?
Since you do not need a licence to ride an EAPC-compliant electric bike, you can ride one even if you are banned from driving in the UK.
However, you need a valid driver’s licence to ride a non-EAPC-compliant electric bike. This means you cannot ride a non-EAPC-compliant electric bike if you are banned from driving in the UK.
Essential Safety Tips for Ebike Riders
As the popularity of electric bikes soars, so is the number of e-cycling-related injuries and fatalities. A 2024 study in the JAMA Network Open found that, between 2017 and 2022, about 45,500 Ebike riders sought intensive care.
Fortunately, there are safety tips that Ebike riders can follow to protect themselves and others. Those tips are as follows:
- Always wear a UK-certified crash helmet, such as an urban Ebike helmet or a mountain cycling helmet.
- Wear high-visibility clothing at night and in foggy conditions
- Lower the top speed of each pedal assist (PAS) level to comply with your Ebike speed limit UK.
- Be cautious of other riders, pedestrians, and vehicles – especially in densely populated areas.
Making E-Cycling Safer in the UK
Heybike is committed to making e-cycling safe and accessible to riders of all ages and skill levels.
Not only are our electric bikes compliant with EAPC requirements, but they are also equipped with essential safety features. These include an integrated rear light, headlights, hydraulic disc brakes, and puncture-proof tyres.
Ready to elevate your riding experience? Explore our electric bike range today.
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