Electric Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPCs) – Need to know facts
What counts as an EAPC?
- An EAPC must have pedals that can be used to propel it.
- It must show either:
- the power output
- the manufacturer of the motor
- It must also show either:
- the battery’s voltage
- the maximum speed of the bike
- Its electric motor:
- must have a maximum power output of 250 watts
- should not be able to propel the bike when it’s travelling more than 15.5mph
- An EAPC can have more than 2 wheels (for example, a tricycle).
Licensing, tax and insurance
- You do not need a licence to ride one and it does not need to be registered, taxed or insured.
- The law states you must be 14 years of age or over to ride an e-bike on public roads. However, someone under 14 can ride an e-bike off road. Sixteen years is the minimum age to ride a moped in the UK, but this was reduced to 14 years for e-bikes, taking into account their lower levels of power.
Where you can ride
- If a bike meets the EAPC requirements it’s classed as a normal pedal bike. This means you can ride it on cycle paths and anywhere else pedal bikes are allowed. This includes both roads and off-road rights of way such as bridleways and byways.
- Unregistered and uninsured e-bikes that do not conform to regulations can only be ridden on private land where the public doesn’t have access, with the permission of the landowner.
Other kinds of electric bike
Any electric bike that does not meet the EAPC rules is classed as a motorcycle or moped and needs to be registered and taxed. You’ll need a driving licence to ride one and you must wear a crash helmet.
Getting vehicle approval for your electric bike
- An electric bike must be ‘type approved’ if either:
- it can be propelled without pedalling (a ‘twist and go’ EAPC)
- it does not meet the EAPC rules
- Approval should have been done by the manufacturer or importer before you bought it. If it’s been type approved it will have a plate showing its ‘type approval number’. Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) is the process of approving each individual vehicle against national technical requirements.
Information correct as at October 2024
