Riding an Electric Bike: The rules

Understanding Different E-Bike Classes  ( United Kingdom) 

All the e-bikes we sell are fully UK-compliant 'Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles' (EAPCs)  They require no licence, tax, or insurance.

For riders interested in higher-performance models (e.g., faster speeds or more powerful motors), it's important to know these are classified differently by the UK government as motorcycles or mopeds.

What does this mean?

To ride a non-EAPC bike legally, you must:

• Hold a valid driving licence.
• Wear an approved motorcycle helmet.
• Insure, tax, and register the vehicle with the DVLA.
• Ride only on the road (not in cycle lanes or on paths). 

You can ride an electric bike if you’re 14 or over, as long as it is an ‘electrically assisted pedal cycle’ (EAPC).

You do not need a licence to ride an EAPC and it does not need to be registered, taxed or insured.

When your bike is an EAPC

An EAPC:

• must have pedals that can be used to propel it
• can have more than 2 wheels, for example a tricycle

It can be propelled up to 15.5mph without pedalling.

Its electric motor:

• must have a ‘continuous rated power’ output of no more than 250 watts
• must not be able to propel the bike when it’s travelling at more than 15.5 miles per hour (mph)

What your EAPC must show

Markings on the bike must show both:

• the continuous rated power output
• the bike manufacturer

It must also show either:

• the battery’s voltage
• the maximum speed the motor can propel the bike

Where you can ride an EAPC

If your bike is an EAPC then you can ride it on cycle paths and anywhere else pedal bikes are allowed.

You cannot ride it on pavements.

When your bike is not an EAPC

If your electric bike does not meet the EAPC rules then it’s classed as a motorcycle or moped.

Your bike is not an EAPC if it:

• can be propelled at more than 15.5 miles per hour (mph) by the motor
• has a continuous rated power output higher than 250 watts
• does not have pedals that can propel it

If your bike is not an EAPC

If your electric bike is not an EAPC it must be registered and taxed.

You need to:

• get a valid driving licence to ride one 
• wear a motorcycle helmet that meets British safety standards
• insure your vehicle

Where you can ride if your bike is not an EAPC

If your electric bike is not an EAPC then you:

• can only ride it on the road
• cannot ride it on cycle tracks or cycle lanes

When your electric bike needs vehicle approval

An electric bike must be approved if either:

• it can be propelled up to 15.5mph without pedalling, for example, a ‘twist and go’
• it does not meet the EAPC rules

This should have been done by the manufacturer or importer before you bought it. If it’s been approved, it will be marked with the approval numbee

If it has not been approved, you can apply for Motorcycle single vehicle approval (MSVA).

🇪🇺 European Union (EU) Rules 

• Classes & Power: Most common e-bikes are "Pedelecs" (Class 1). The motor (250W max) only assists while you pedal and must cut out at 25 km/h (15.5 mph). 🚴♂️💨
• Registration & Insurance: These e-bikes are treated like regular bicycles. No license, registration, or mandatory insurance is required. ✅
• Age Limit: Riders generally must be 14 years or older. 👦📅
• Throttles: Typically not allowed on new, type-approved e-bikes; assistance must be pedal-activated. 🚫🎮

🇺🇸 United States Rules

• 3-Class System: The US uses a 3-class system, allowing more powerful motors.
• Class 1: Pedal-assist only, up to 20 mph. 🚲
• Class 2: Has a throttle, up to 20 mph. 🎮
• Class 3: Pedal-assist only, up to 28 mph (often requires a speedometer). 💨
• Motor Power: Federal law defines e-bikes with motors under 750W (1 hp). This is the key power limit. ⚡
• Regulation: Treated as bicycles at the federal level. However, state and local laws vary widely for Class 3 e-bikes regarding helmets, age limits, and where you can ride. 🗺️⚠️

Always check your local laws! 📜 

HAPPY BUY HAPPY RIDE.. WE CARE!  STAY SAFE ON THE ROADS.