Regulations on electric bicycles in the UK
2025-06-04
1、 Legal Definition and Classification
In the UK, electric bicycles are clearly classified as Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPC), with the following legal definitions and standards:
- Technical parameter limitations
- Motor power: The maximum continuous rated power shall not exceed 250 watts.
- Speed limit: When the vehicle speed reaches 15.5 miles per hour (approximately 24.8 kilometers per hour), the electric motor must stop assisting.
- Pedal requirement: A pedal that can actually drive the vehicle must be equipped to ensure that it can be ridden manually when the power is exhausted.
- Number of wheels: Can have two or more wheels (such as tricycles).
- Compliance vehicle rights
- No driver's license, road tax, insurance, or vehicle registration is required to hit the road.
- It can be driven on bicycle lanes, public roads, and areas where bicycles are allowed to pass.
- Handling of vehicles exceeding the standard
- Vehicles that do not meet EAPC standards (such as exceeding power, speed limits, or without pedals) will be considered motorcycles or light motorcycles and must comply with motor vehicle management regulations:
- Register and pay taxes
- Purchase insurance
- Wear a safety helmet
- Hold the corresponding driver's license (such as a motorcycle license).
- Vehicles that do not meet EAPC standards (such as exceeding power, speed limits, or without pedals) will be considered motorcycles or light motorcycles and must comply with motor vehicle management regulations:
2、 User Qualification
- Age restrictions
- Riders must be at least 14 years old, and children under 14 years old are prohibited from using EAPC.
- Driver's license and insurance
- No driver's license, road tax or insurance required, but regular traffic rules must be followed.
- Helmet requirements
- It is not mandatory to wear a helmet, but it is recommended to wear it to improve safety.
3、 Driving rules
- Road permissions
- Permitted driving areas: bicycle lanes, public roads, and areas where bicycles are allowed to pass.
- Prohibited driving areas: highways, motor vehicle lanes.
- traffic rules
- It is necessary to comply with conventional traffic rules such as stopping at red lights and using turn signals.
- Modification restrictions
- It is prohibited to modify vehicles beyond legal speed or power limits, otherwise legal penalties will be imposed.
4、 Safety Standards and Certification
- Security ID
- The vehicle must be clearly labeled with the following information:
- Manufacturer name
- Maximum speed of electric motor (miles per hour or kilometers per hour)
- Maximum continuous rated power of electric motor
- Or equipped with a license plate displaying the above information, and fixed in a prominent and easily accessible location.
- The vehicle must be clearly labeled with the following information:
- Braking system
- A brake system that complies with British/European standards (BS EN ISO 4210-2:2014) must be equipped and maintained in good working condition.
- Battery safety
- The battery needs to be leak proof and not pose a hazard.
- Lighting and Reflective Devices
- Front lighting fixtures: Install white lighting fixtures (sustainable or flashing, flashing frequency 60-240 times/minute, minimum intensity 4 candela).
- Rear reflector: Install a red reflector.
- Pedal reflector: Vehicles manufactured before October 1, 1985 are required to have amber reflectors installed on the front and rear edges of the pedals.
5、 Violation punishment
- Vehicle confiscation
- Vehicles that do not comply with EAPC standards may be confiscated.
- fine
- Carrying an electric bicycle into public transportation systems such as the London Underground in violation of regulations will result in a fine of £ 1000.
- legal responsibility
- Violating regulations by modifying or driving vehicles that exceed standards may result in fines, deduction of points, or criminal charges.
6、 Other relevant regulations
- Charging facilities
- The UK encourages the construction of private and public charging facilities and provides subsidy support:
- Workplace charging station subsidy: up to £ 350 per socket.
- Subsidy for street charging facilities: up to 60% of the installation cost.
- The UK encourages the construction of private and public charging facilities and provides subsidy support:
- Government subsidies
- Previously provided a subsidy of 20% (up to £ 1500) for electric bicycles, but it is important to pay attention to the timeliness of the policy.
- parking regulations
- No special parking regulations have been established for electric bicycles, and regular parking rules must be followed.