The government has been consulting over changes to the rules around electrically assisted pedal cycles and the National Motorcyclists Council has responded with its views based on feedback from its members and the wider bike industry.
The proposals had two main aspects: firstly, doubling the power output of legal e-bikes from 250W to 500W, and secondly to allow electric assistance without pedalling up to the speed limit of 15.5mph. The changes have several aims: helping less fit and disabled riders switch to an e-bike without the burden of pedalling, extending the appeal of e-bikes to areas where there are many steep hills, and finally, improving the abilities of cargo e-bikes, used for larger delivery loads in cities and other areas.
The NMC acknowledges the potential benefits of the proposed changes for accessibility, but it also raises serious concerns. “Given the current issues arising from the unregulated, illegal and sometimes anti-social use of some e-bikes and other light electric PTWs which are non-compliant with the current e-bike regulations, the council’s members feel that this consultation is premature and could potentially exacerbate these problems.”
The NMC also proposed its own comprehensive solution. “There is an urgent need for a wider regulatory review of all unregulated light electric powered two-wheeled products, which do not fall under the current specific e-bike regulations. The NMC urgently calls on the government to properly commence this long-delayed review, emphasising the importance of addressing these issues in a timely manner. The review should incorporate the areas covered within this consultation, which can be considered part of a wider framework for ultra-lightweight electric PTWs and micromobility.”