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Electric Bicycles: Accidents

Answer

Only e-bikes that comply with the requirements of the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 are legal to use on the roads and the Government has no plans to ban them. These regulations limit the maximum (assisted) speed of e-bikes to 15.5mph.

Where these requirements are not fully complied with, the e-bike is treated as a motor vehicle and must therefore be approved and registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency, taxed and insured. The rider must wear a safety helmet and hold a driving licence. The police have the power to seize e-bikes not appropriately registered as motor vehicles under Section 165A of the Road Traffic Act 1988, and on the grounds that they would not be insured.

More broadly, the Road Safety Strategy published this year sets an ambitious target to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on British roads, including cyclists, by 65% by 2035. Well-designed infrastructure, particularly of the kind that provides protection from motor traffic, can improve both safety and perceptions of safety for cyclists.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

HL156

Session

2026-27

Subjects

Accidents Electric bicycles

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk