Food courier using electric bike, Walthamstow Village, London, United Kingdom. (photo by Mark ... [+]
The U.K. government is proposing new rules for higher-powered, pedal-free electric bikes in a move to diverge from the E.U.
The proposals were announced today as part of the government’s “Smarter Regulation” policy paper which sets out to “reduce burdens, push down the cost of living and drive economic growth.”
The paper says that e-bikes can “play a key role in increasing cycling levels and supporting the government’s objectives for active travel.”
Additionally, e-bikes “provide assistance for cycling longer distances or riding up hills, which can make an important difference for anyone who may be older, disabled or have mobility impairments.”
The paper also says that e-bikes “can also help cyclists who need to ride in business clothes without breaking sweat.”
The U.K. currently meshes with E.U. laws on e-bikes stating they have to be pedal-assist, must not have throttles, have a maximum power of 250 watts and a top speed of 15.5mph (25km/h).
The proposed new regulations would increase the power to 500 watts and allow for throttle-controlled e-bikes that would not require human power; there’s no proposal to increase the speed
Under assimilated EU Regulation 168/2013, vehicles with throttle assistance above 3.73mph (6km/h) require type approval, and are generally classified as motorcycles.
The government proposes to amend the legal definition of howe-bikes are classified so that the maximum continuous rated power of the electric motor must not exceed 500 watts instead of 250 watts as set out in the current regulations to allow “twist and go” e-bikes to have throttle assistance up to 15.5mph (25km/h) without the need for type approval.
E-bikes with increased power and throttle assistance would be able to use the same infrastructure as pedal cycles, including cycle lanes, tracks and other cycle facilities.
The proposed changes are opposed by the Bicycle Association: “Non-pedalling electric cycles would not be like pedal cycles in character or performance, so in time, if not immediately, it will in our view prove impossible to resist calls for moped-like requirements such as mandatory insurance, registration and helmets. This will make the whole category significantly less attractive for users.”
The trade body is urging the government to “consider carefully whether there is really a pressing need for change to [e-bike] regulations. Rules aligned with current U.K. regulations are widely used and accepted internationally, and in many countries [e-bikes] under these rules are highly popular and successful.”
The government’s proposals are also opposed by Cycling UK. The organization’s director of external affairs, Sarah McMonagle said: “These proposals present a huge safety risk to pedestrians and others who cycle. The dramatically increased power would mean faster acceleration and much heavier bikes, which we’re really concerned about.
“E-cycles with no pedal requirement would also reduce the health benefits of e-cycling – in essence, they would blur the line between e-bikes and electric motorbikes.
“We fully agree with the Government’s goal to get more people to enjoy the benefits of e-cycles, but believe the way to do that effectively is to invest in high quality infrastructure and provide financial assistance for those who need it.”
London’s cycling and walking commissioner Will Norman is also opposed to the proposed changed. He tweeted that “this is madness! Why is government doing this?It’ll increase risk of collisions and battery fires.”
