UK law

[Steve Gray]

Hi I’m based in the UK and recently decided to do my bit for the environment by giving up my motorbike In favour of an environmentally friendly Electric Mountain Bike.
I purchased the bike from amazon the bike has 3 Working Modes Pedal mode, Pedal assist mode, throttle mode, and comes with a 250W brushless gear motor. Top speed: 25km/h = 15.7mph.
I felt the throttle mode would be very useful as I’m in my late 60s and this was one of the main reasons I purchased the bike.
I now find that UK law does not support throttle mode and if I take the bike out on the road I will be breaking the law
If I’m only using Pedal assist mode will I still be breaking the law or is there some other work around for this situation to make my bike legal in the UK any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[CJaMTB]

As far as I know, just having the throttle fitted means it is not road legal, not without license, insurance, number plate, etc. Saying you aren't using it won't wash, though if you removed it you'd be fine.

 

[Zimmerframe]

As far as I know, just having the throttle fitted means it is not road legal, not without license, insurance, number plate, etc. Saying you aren't using it won't wash, though if you removed it you'd be fine.

I'm not sure... I think at the moment all uk laws are open to interpretation by precedent.

Like, you might know there's a national lockdown, groups aren't allowed, parties aren't allowed - you might even have made the rule yourself.

However, unless someone explicitly tells you that it's not for any given situation, then how are you - as an individual, supposed to have the intelligence to work out if the law actually applies ? So yes, it seems you can de-restrict, have a throttle - do what the hell you like really - unless someone actually tells you that you can't at that very moment, but then if they do, you can just say you don't remember it and it's fine

I say go for go for it, maybe buy a mop to stick on your head if you're worried.

 

[Moderator]

Zimm, s'il vous plaît essayez de ne pas vous égarer dans la politique dans le forum.

Sorry - google translate.

 

[Mikerb]

The bike is illegal anywhere the public has access...not just the highway. Your only option is to have the throttle capability removed/disabled. Then you are good to go.
If you retain the throttle the bike is no longer a pedelec and becomes a moped. That then requires DVLC registration, lights, horn, tax, insurance, MOT when due and you have to wear a M/C helmet when riding.

 

[leix_toffee]

I would say as above, have the throttle removed or permanently disabled. Can’t see any other way you can make it legal.

 

[congerball]

Just use it and don’t ride like a dick

 

[Jimbo Vills]

Hardly the crime of the century. And judging by the number of Deliveroo riders in London completely not giving a shit. It would seem the police don’t either

 

[Nebo1ss]

I think every food delivery Ebike rider in London must be breaking the law. They all have throttles.

 

[2WheelsNot4]

I reckon you'll probably get the same answer to the identical thread you posted on Pedelecs. Which break's down to -

Just use it and don’t ride like a dick

The police arent bothered unless you're doing 40 in a 30 etc, or cause an accident. Of course if you are in an accident, and someone else is involved, you could be facing serious charges.
Personally I dont understand this need for speed.

 

[Winger]

It’s already been said it’s illegal...and when their enough of them sold the law will have a clamp down the same as they have with e-scooters.

 

[Jimbo Vills]

It’s already been said it’s illegal...and when their enough of them sold the law will have a clamp down the same as they have with e-scooters.

What clamp down? You can now just walk up and hire one in the street to use on the queens highway in London

they are more popular than ever

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

As long as you wear hi-vis you’ll be fine

 

[Winger]

Someone else who hasn’t done his/her home work ....that photo shows what is part of a government approved test scheme...which is no bench mark for Mr private punter....cuz it’s highly likely they pull the plug on them.

Thats the scooter park not Robs vid

 

[Zimmerframe]

Zimm, s'il vous plaît essayez de ne pas vous égarer dans la politique dans le forum.

Sorry - google translate.

Not even a little bit, like if it's mainly a quote ?

OK ok, I'll stop .. no one told me.

 

[Zimmerframe]

As long as you wear hi-vis you’ll be fine

View attachment 80339

You can't fault him really, the sign clearly says "50" and he's bang on the nose .

 

[Jimbo Vills]

As long as you wear hi-vis you’ll be fine

View attachment 80339

I see a dude most mornings on one that’s rapid. He wears a full 1 piece leathers and an arai.

legend

 

[#lazy]

Hardly the crime of the century. And judging by the number of Deliveroo riders in London completely not giving a shit. It would seem the police don’t either

Agree jim most of these delivery bikes have a throttle and I thought as long as they don’t go over the 16mph limit like scooters it’s fine !

 

[RustyMTB]

As long as you wear hi-vis you’ll be fine

View attachment 80339

You mock but the fine for that set me right back.

 

[Zimmerframe]

This is what I keep telling the ladies :

OK, it's American and not UK - but which is going to cause more accidents ? People will either be vomiting their eye balls straight out of their heads or just passing out from extreme pain to the visual cortex :

Why would you do that to a mid-engined Fiero ?

I think I need a name change.

 

[Tim1023]

I think I need a name change.

Or just change your profile pic to one of these

 

[InRustWeTrust]

A quick googling gave the answer that no it is not legal to ride an electric bike with a throttle without a moped driver's license



It's mainly down to the laws and regulations on electric bikes that mean we are unable to sell ebikes with throttles. In the UK, bikes with throttles are classed as a motorbike and you will need to get a licence, register the bike and tax it. This is why we just produce EAPC bikes so that you can ride them just like a regular push bike and not worry about a thing.

Some of our electric bikes have a "walk assist" feature allowing you to push the ebike with the power up to 3mph. This gives you a little extra help up hills and ramps.

 

[Phoenix]

My first ebike was a chinese import, hub drive, with throttle, £250, a decade ago
But nobody was paying attention back then so it was absolutely fine. Rode it without issues for 6 years
Honestly think the police have much better things to do, like arresting peaceful protesters, than monitoring this (even if they knew what to look for) unless you're being a dick
But as said, if you are involved in an accident on a public road, problems gonna b comin...
Bit of a dumb law imo, as switching modes on a full fat bike instead of shifting in town, has much the same effect as a throttle, but its the law ...

 

[RustyMTB]

The law is the law. It's down to you to decide if the risk is worth it. OTOH the only prosecutions I've ever heard of in the UK were when the Met wanted to clear out the Tuk tuk's in London or the odd dodgy scooter boy mowing down hapless grannies. The feds are busy enough elsewhere, so if you ride discreetly, the odds of getting pinched are negligible imo.

 

[Steve Gray]

The bike is illegal anywhere the public has access...not just the highway. Your only option is to have the throttle capability removed/disabled. Then you are good to go.
If you retain the throttle the bike is no longer a pedelec and becomes a moped. That then requires DVLC registration, lights, horn, tax, insurance, MOT when due and you have to wear a M/C helmet when riding.

would this solve my problem

 

[Steve Gray]

A quick googling gave the answer that no it is not legal to ride an electric bike with a throttle without a moped driver's license



It's mainly down to the laws and regulations on electric bikes that mean we are unable to sell ebikes with throttles. In the UK, bikes with throttles are classed as a motorbike and you will need to get a licence, register the bike and tax it. This is why we just produce EAPC bikes so that you can ride them just like a regular push bike and not worry about a thing.

Some of our electric bikes have a "walk assist" feature allowing you to push the ebike with the power up to 3mph. This gives you a little extra help up hills and ramps.

Thanks for the information very helpful however i still have some concerns most people new to ebikes are not aware of UK law so it looks like there’s going to be a lot of convictions because companies selling on amazon are flooding the market with illegal ebikes that have 3 Working Modes Pedal mode, Pedal assist mode, and (illegal throttle mode).

 

[Mikerb]

would this solve my problem View attachment 80360

I do not believe merely disconnecting the throttle is enough. Completely removing the throttle cable would probably suffice.

 

[Mikerb]

I think every food delivery Ebike rider in London must be breaking the law. They all have throttles.

we are talking a bout the UK though

 

[Jimbo Vills]

we are talking a bout the UK though

Well I was in wales over Christmas and kids were two up cruising about on e scooters everywhere.

absolutely zero fcuks for law.

so it’s not just London mate. It’s everywhere in the uk

 

[Howz]

Just unplug it and all will be good