UK Electric Bike Legislation

Note: our legal pages refer to the UK only. Elsewhere, the law varies widely between countries, and even between individual states in the USA, Canada and Australia. If in doubt, always check local regulations

Electric bicycles are unique machines legislatively, being the only powered vehicles to be treated in exactly the same way as pedal cycles. This means you can ride one while disqualified from driving a car, motorcycle or moped, and you will not be subject to laws aimed specifically at motor vehicle drivers, such as drink-drive legislation. You must, of course, adhere to the rules of the road, and like any other cyclist, you can be prosecuted for riding without lights, riding dangerously, or riding while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There are, in addition, a few key legislative requirements:

1. The rider must be aged at least 14
2. The machine must not be capable of exceeding 25kph (15.6mph) while under power
   Note: Like any other cyclist, you can ride as fast as you like when the motor is not providing assistance, but you must still obey traffic laws. In practise, power usually fades away quite gradually as speed increases, so a bike that tops out at 15mph with a heavy rider, may give useful assistance at 18mph or above with a light one. In practise, you are very unlikely to be prosecuted for anything other than a wild and reckless infringement of the rules.
3. The machine must not weigh in excess of 40kg for a bicycle, or 60kg for a tricycle
4. The continuous rated power of the motor must not exceed 250 watts
   Note: This is the European limit, which the UK signed up to in 2002. The older 1983 UK legislation says 200 watts for bicycles and 250 watts for tandems and tricycles, and this also appears to be in force. In any event, the whole thing is a technicality, because a measurement of 'continuous rated power' is like measuring a piece of string. You will only get into trouble if your machine has a clearly accessible manufacturer's plate saying something like '500 watt Turbo' on it.
5. The motor alone cannot be used to propel the bicycle, so power can only be brought in while the rider is pedalling
   Note: Don't worry too much, as there is considerable debate about whether this applies in the UK. The 1983 legislation makes no distinction between pedalling or not pedalling while under power, but the newer 2002 European legislation does. In practise, even if the European law is fully ratified and the old UK law repealed, bikes bought now will remain legal under 'grandfather rights'.

These rules are not very onerous in themselves, but be warned: if you are prosecuted for breaking any one of them you will no longer be covered by the exemptions that apply to electric bicycles, but bear in mind that in three of the five above, the court would have to decide which law actually applied. In theory, anyone riding an electric bicycle at, for example, 18mph, could be prosecuted for riding a moped without a helmet, insurance, vehicle excise duty, MoT certificate, etc, etc. If caught riding while under-age or disqualified from driving, you would effectively by driving without a license, a serious offence. In practise, prosecutions are extremely rare, as the police have much better things to do than chase electric bicycles, but it's worth knowing the rules.

Some electric bikes look very similar to mopeds or scooters, with fairings and motorcycle-style shock-absorbers. These machines are perfectly legal, provided they have pedals and obey all the rules above. The problem with riding one is that very few policemen will be aware of this loophole in the legislation, and you are liable to be stopped and cross-examined on a regular basis, unless you take to wearing a motorcycle helmet. In general, bicycle styling is a good idea!