29.01.2025 | Reading time - 4 min(s)

Are Electric Bikes Legal In The UK

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Electric bikes and Electric cargo bikes are becoming more and more popular in the UK but what makes an electric bike legal to be ridden on roads and paths? This is an interesting question and one that requires some explanation as this question hinges on whether a bicycle is a EAPC (electrically assisted bicycle) or a non-EAPC (moped or motorcycle).

This distinction is important as, in UK law, a bicycle that is classed as an EAPC (electrically assisted pedal cycle) does not require registration, a driving licence or insurance while a bike that is not an EAPC is classed as a moped or motorcycle and is subject to different laws and requirements.

Contents and Quick Links

What Makes A Bike An EAPC?
Are There Restrictions To Riding An EAPC?
Where Can You Ride An EAPC?
What If The Bicycle Is Not An EAPC?
How Do You Make A Non-EAPC Legal?
Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a bike an EAPC?

For a bicycle to be legal in the UK, it must be classed as an EAPC and for this there are some criteria that must be met. For a bike to be classed as an EAPC, all of the following must be satisfied.

An EAPC must deliver power only when the rider is pedalling (pedal assist)
It must only deliver electric assistance up to 15.5mph or 25kph
The 'continuous rated power’ of the motor cannot exceed an output of 250 watts
The electric motor must not provide assistance when travelling over 15.5mph (25kph)
If a throttle is present, this must only accelerate the bike to 3.7mph (6kph) and then switch to pedal assist up to 15.5mph (25kph)

Additionally, the bike must display

The 'continuous rated power’ output of the bike
The bike manufacturer and
Either the battery voltage OR the maximum speed the motor can propel the bike

EAPC Criteria	Requirements
Age Restrictions	14 years and over
Power Delivery	Pedal Assist
Maximum Power Output	The continuous rated power cannot exceed 250W
Maximum Assisted Speed	15.5mph or 25kph
Throttle	Permitted: provided it cuts off at 3.7mph or 6kph
Licencing and Registration	You do not require a driving licence, registration or insurance for EAPC rated electric bikes
Usage	EAPC electric bikes can be ridden on roads, cycle paths and cycle tracks. They cannot be ridden on pavements

Giant Electric Bikes.jpg

Are there restrictions to riding an EAPC?

In order to ride electrically assisted pedal cycles, you must be 14 years old or over. Aside from this, anybody can ride an EAPC and you do not require a driving licence to ride one, nor do you need to register the bike, tax it or insure it (although we would recommend insurance on any bicycle in case of theft or damage).

Where can you ride an EAPC?

As these bikes have passed EAPC regulations and UK electric bike laws, they can be ridden anywhere a pedal bike can go including roads, tracks and cycle paths. EAPC's and pedals bikes cannot be cycled on pavements.

What if the bicycle is not an EAPC?

If a bicycle fails to fit any of the criteria above then it is not an EAPC and is actually classed as a motorcycle or moped. If a bike that is not classed as an EAPC, extra criteria need to be met to make these road legal. Firstly though, a bike is not classed as an EAPC if:-

it provides electric assistance above the 15.5mph (25kph)
it features a throttle that can propel the bike above the 3.7mph (6kph) limit
the assistance is not through a pedal assist motor
has a continuous rated power output higher than 250 watts

How do you make a non-EAPC legal?

In order to make a bicycle that does not fit the criteria of electrically assisted pedal cycles, you would need to obtain a valid UK driving licence and register and tax (vehicle excise duty) the vehicle. You would also need to insure the vehicle and wear a motorcycle helmet that conforms to British safety standards. Failure to fulfil any of these requirements can lead to legal consequences including fines and bicycles being seized.

If your bike is classed as a motor vehicle (moped or motorcycle) then you can only ride it on roads. You are not allowed to ride this on cycle tracks or bicycle paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are a number of frequently asked questions relating to this topic so we will pick the most popular of these and answer them here.

Do I need a license to ride an electric bike in the UK?

In order to ride an electric bike in the UK, you do not require a driving licence if the bike is classed as an electrically assisted pedal cycle (EAPC). If the electric bicycles in question fail any of the criteria of an EAPC then the vehicle is classed as a motorcycle or moped and you would require a licence to ride one of these.

Can I ride my e-bike on public roads?

Electric bikes that are classed as EAPCs can be ridden anywhere a normal pedal bike can go. This includes public roads, cycle paths and cycle tracks. If your vehicle is not an EAPC and is classed as a moped or motorcycle and you have registered, taxed and insured it, these can be ridden on public roads only.

What's the maximum speed limit for e-bikes in the UK?

There are technically no speed limits for any bicycle or electric bicycle in the UK. As long as the pedal assist does not exceed the 15.5mph (25kph) limit then you can go as fast as your legs can take you. But please exercise caution and be courteous to other road users.

Do I need insurance for my electric bike?

For electric bikes that are classed as EAPCs, insurance is not mandatory but it is highly encouraged to protect against theft or damage to yourself or others. On a vehicle that does not fit EAPC regulations and is classed as a motorcycle or moped then insurance is mandatory and is required along with registration, tax and a valid driving licence.

Can I ride my e-bike on cycling paths and trails?

Here is another question that depends whether the bike is an EAPC or not - EAPCs are allowed on cycling paths and trails. Non-EAPCs are classed as mopeds or motorcycles and are only allowed on public roads if all the other legal requirements are met (licence, helmet, tax and insurance).

What happens if my e-bike exceeds the legal power limit?

If your bike exceeds the maximum power output of 250 watts (continuous rated power output) then this would be classed as a motorcycle or moped and would require other legal requirements to be met to allow this to be ridden on UK roads.

Can teenagers ride electric bikes in the UK?

Teenagers who are 14 years old and above can ride electric bikes (EAPC's) in the UK. For vehicles that are classed as motorcycles or mopeds, riders need to be 16 years old for mopeds or over or 17 and over for light motorcycles.

Do I need to register my e-bike with any authorities?

For electric bikes classed as EAPCs then you do not require this to be registered. If the bike does not satisfy EAPC requirements then this will need to be registered.

Can my e-bike be modified to go faster?

This is definitely a frequently asked question not only online and also in our stores. The short answer to this is yes but this would mean the bike would no longer be an EAPC and would now be classed as a moped or motorcycle and be subjected to different laws requiring registration, a valid UK licence, tax, insurance and a motorcycle helmet.

We strongly recommend against deregulating or 'chipping' EAPC's as they are no longer legal but will void any warranty the bike, motor and battery have. It will also have detrimental effects on the battery and motor longevity.

Conclusion

If you are looking to buy a bike that is certified as an EAPC then we would recommend buying from reputable dealers. All of the electric bikes we sell are fully EAPC so do not require the extra requirements to ride. It is also a great time to buy an electric bike as we have a sale on in our ebike for sale section.

For any extra advice, find your nearest bike shop or contact our online team where we will be more than happy to assist.

We also have a number of useful blogs on bicycles and electric bikes

Author

Ross Howieson

Content Creator

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Are Electric Bikes Legal In The UK

What makes a bike an EAPC?

Are there restrictions to riding an EAPC?

Where can you ride an EAPC?

What if the bicycle is not an EAPC?

How do you make a non-EAPC legal?

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to ride an electric bike in the UK?

Can I ride my e-bike on public roads?

What's the maximum speed limit for e-bikes in the UK?

Do I need insurance for my electric bike?

Can I ride my e-bike on cycling paths and trails?

What happens if my e-bike exceeds the legal power limit?

Can teenagers ride electric bikes in the UK?

Do I need to register my e-bike with any authorities?

Can my e-bike be modified to go faster?

Conclusion