“Is that legal to ride?” This is the most common question (along with “how fast does it go?” 😉) I get asked while riding and in this weeks video I decided to ride to Westminster and Tower Bridge to answer it and also give my thoughts on the UK laws.
#e-bike #urbandrivestyle #theLondonVlogs
🕒 Timestamp🕒
0:00 – Welcome to The London Vlogs
2:12 – UK Law on e-bikes
3:03 – Urbandrivestyle website details
3:43 – Labelling on the UNI MK
4:14 – Tower Bridge montage
4:49 – My thoughts on the UK e-bike laws
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36 Comments
well done mate
Hey James, what helmet are you wearing in this video?
250w motor limit is a problem. if the speed is limited anyway why limit the motor aswell
So; if you want to go faster then 15.5 mph turn off the power and use it as an ordinary bike and go as fast as you’re able to pedal😉
First e-bike in our family, loved it.
Hey what’s the make of the full face helmet please?? Good video and info!! Subbed
I don't own an e bike but I agree that the assist speed should be upped to 20 mph. This is the main reason why I don't use one. I'm pretty out of shape but can ride around 15/16 mph average. I would like an e bike as I would probably do my 10 mile commute more often by bike if I had one. I used to do this regularly but don't have the extra time needed these days. 20 mph assist would maybe make this possible again and shave just enough time back off my journey. Just as a matter of interest how comfortable are those bikes over say 10 miles or so?
I'm getting a 2000 wats e-bike and I thought that you only can get it nicked if caught going over 15.5 MPH so I guess I'll have to do the same thing like I did on my electric scooter it's by running from the police
Too many restrictions in this country for e bikes…. think ill give them a miss untill this backwards government has a re think.
it says 250 watt output. it does not say it has to be 250 watt motor, just 250 watt out put, and cuts off at 15.5 mph, and no throttle. there is no regulation on battery volts.
The restrictions weren't pulled out of the air, research was done into accidents in places they're unregulated.
Inexperienced riders tend to have lots of accidents using throttle control, it was one of the primary reasons compulsory basic training was introduced for mopeds. Leaving aside the very real safety aspect though, it's also to encourage "active transport", even just spinning the pedals with no real effort turns out to be good exercise & is a deliberate strategy to help reduce obesity & sedentary lifestyles.
20mph wasn't chosen, & almost certainly never will be as it's way too fast to turn loose the untrained & inexperienced on shared use paths mixed with pedestrians, children, pets, baby buggies etc.
Almost all are illegal. ie. Twist grips working above 6kph.
Motors that have a maximum output above 250 watts. ie. All of those trailers etc. When questions they claim that the average power is 250watts, which means the max is above.
Then you see them going way over 25 kph with no sign of pedalling.
So they are motorbikes. They need to be siezed and destroyed because they are unlicesed.
10,000 in fines. More for no helmets, more than one up, …
Lots of money to be had.
Ok I kinda agree with you about speed limits on the bikes but I also think to unlock the faster and throttle you should at minimum have some forum of identifier on the bike even if this is some sort of free registration number and most importantly some sort of liability insurance so for when someone dose cause damaged to a person or property you are traceable and are covered
https://youtu.be/_SqhglS_SPw?si=MaDv4v30PXuZtNfy
Firstly, may I state that I am a cyclist, motor cyclist, car and lorry driver. I am appalled at how many people now wiz around our roads and pavements without a care. I’m sure some of them are using the 750 versions because I judge the to be doing at least 25 to 30 mph without peddling. Oh, I notice you are riding using a selfie stick. Whist this is not illegal, it is riding without due care and attention.
Ok two things the only reason why we're allowed electric bicycles in uk is because the it was an EU directive and UK had to adopt at the time . This is why it's 25kph and 250w , you are allowed a throttle on ebikes made up to 2017 I think but after that throttle can only help to 3mph
There are plenty of lunatics driving cars.
The solution is obvious, there should be ebikes of higher speed and output with registration plates, tax and insurance requirements which people with a valid licence can ride.
That way ebikers are contributing in the same way as car drivers and everything is fair. They can't just knock into other vehicles or people and ride off, stolen bikes will be easier to find, and those who don't want to pay can still ride ordinary bikes.
We have electric cars which are treated like this, why should electric bikes be different? If they are able to be developed perhaps they could be a green alternative to motorbikes.
I only agree with your points if there-bike is subject to the same Road conditions as for small motorised bikes formerly mopeds. I’m all for en-bikes but there is a significant danger in the more powerful an fast versions setting back the cause. Whats wrong with making a clearer distinction between those that are genuinely peddle assist and those that are let’s face it -really the modern equivalent of a moped?
We are encouraged to drive 5 miles less ect ect, we have a great technology thats cleaner than e cars, we should take advantage, enforce speed limits on cycle tracks, pedestrian areas and roads, and impose liability if accidents result in loss, cycling dangerously needs to be a criminal offence as is dangerous driving and only enforce insurance if it genuinely becomes a problem and government will start a net 0 insurance program i.e. all ebike users pay the distributed cost of accidents last year (covered by government) riders found riding dangerously can’t be insured for a year, or something of the sort, bikes should be checked across a spectrum of users to determine a comfortable/sensible max speed for that bike and it’s intended use/market before sale, but other than that I don’t see what the problem is, e cars don’t pay road tax, bicycles don’t have to be insured, traditional motor bikes tend to be bigger more expensive and more imposing than ebikes if it looks and weighs like a motorbike call it one, if it looks like a push bike with a battery n motor call it one, motor bikes already have insurance requirements, let the insurers determine risk/cost as is normal already long winded but I think we all agree the solutions are fairly common sensical and more should be done to encourage their use 15.5 with peddle assist or the police will confiscate and only give it back when its registered taxed and insured (which can not be done) is impractical and embarrassingly anal, the end result will be highly modified bikes posing as compliant, people will not respect the law when the law disrespect sense and liberty.
Whats stopping you buying an 800w version and gettinga 250w UK compliant plate made up.
Afterall they are unregistered and unaccountable… Hence the numbers of them flying thru red traffic lights and riding the wrong way on one way streets.
Where do you draw the line between an E-bike and it becoming an electric motorbike? There's got to some point in terms of speed, power and controls (pedal v throttle) where it's classed as a vehicle that requires a licence and insurance to use. Maybe there needs to be some intermediate category?
Surely the fact that you have to actually pedal the thing in order to propel it forward is the BIG give away !!! It's still a pedal bike (in your case), the motor size is a different argument altogether !!!
I reckon the assistance limit is just fine where it is, if you want to go faster, pedal harder. As for allowing throttles, why not just remove the pedals and call it a motorcycle at that point?
There's this weird dichotomy of people who want to ride a "bicycle" but really want that bicycle to actually be a moped. There's already a class of vehicles that cater to your desires, but it requires a CBT/VED/Insurance and that's too much bother apparently…
Not to mention if anyone knows the history of motorcycle they started with bike cycles so by imposing these draconian laws your preventing innovation and also a possible future for electrical motorcycle, As well if a bike must also has the standard road and cycling laws if you wish to run them on the road at road speed a license show be required let alone the little insure cost and if this hit anything it no different than a motorcycle even more so it lighter in weight the bike is either less cost than most vehicles so others insurance it a no brainer, also allows people to be greener and if the business start making these compatible with fast charging for gas stations and etc, your moving your city greener not really a bad thing, like it should be stated if you go on a bike path don't be douche and go speeds over 30km there could be kids and that's like driving a car and kids comes into the be diligent also allows cops to fine bikers if they catch people on bikes not following traffic rules if you follow traffic rules for your area your comply as if you were driving a car goes on boths side of the view on ebikes I stand with the entire ebikes community as these laws need to be fair but I also stand with the law when I see people hooning in area where it's unwarranted be respectful to your community but have fun.
Nice video just one question. Isn’t it illegal to have passengers on a bicycle?
0:17, I can see your throttle 😂
They should be illegal and I am a cyclist
I agree with you 100%. I have had many ebikes now and started in 2017, when my local council let me borrow one for a month. I'm 62 years old and now have a full suspension EMTB. I ride it on the shared access pavements in my city and have done 3,200 miles in 2 years. When I ride on the shared pavements, I give way to pedestrians and behave responsibly. I also ride a huge amount of off road. Both my E-bikes are de restricted and I have never been stopped by the police or created an issue. However, I do see lots of hooligans riding Surons, with no regard for anyone else. 20 mph legal would be my sweet spot.
Throttle yes, increase speed to 20mph, yes. I don’t think a license or registration should be required but I think it would be good to have some sort of equivalent to a CBT to go for a 20 vs 15.5mph bike. After all, you can drive a 255cc motorbike on a provisional without passing your test which goes much faster and is heavier. I believe the pedals are from legacy law but throttles used to be legal without the need to pedal. I think it’s crazy that we’re all being pushed to buy full size EVs when small electric vehicles can be a much better option.
Its allwrong o have a 250 watt motor its a lot faster than 15.5 mph and its wrong im power terms my 250 watt tops out at 10001 amps so how do you explain that and thats how it works someone who rides ebikes should write the rules
Government will will change the rules if they can find a way of make money out of it 🙄
befire the road traffic act,1834 or something, they separated people from carts and sheep by creating the pavement. People on tbe road transpiort got a licence. Would look awkward if people needed a licence to cross the road. The cats and carriages that caused wear and tear ti the riad, the reoaurs came from tbe fees raused. Walking or cycling on a road causes no wear.
In a roundabout way, a licence was permission granted to travel on the road and a repair fee
The trouble is there must be a roughly equal number of lunatics on ebikes or regular cycles as there are lunatics on four petrol or diesel fueled vehicles. People think they own the road no matter what mode of transport they are on these days.
Lol, mine is 1500 watts and does 55mph, stuff the law,it's an ass
I have a 1000w 48v 25ah battery and on the road I’ll stay at the 15 mph mark to avoid police harassing me but then on less busy roads I go about 35