Hypothetical question regarding illegal Ebikes

[johnnyb47]

Hi,
Just through curiosity it's got me thinking about the use of illegal Ebikes.
I make no excuses I've got one ,but I must stress I only use it on private land/estate with the owners permission.
It's a couple of miles though from where I live and was wondering how would I stand if I rode it to the private land along the public road with the battery taken off the bike and safely tucked away into my rucksack.
I have tried it along the road without the battery,and yes it's slow but not painfully slow.
Would this still be classed as illegal as I haven't got a clue to be honest.
If it is ok I would certainly use it more for short errands.
All the very best,
Johnny.

 

[sevenfourate]

You think you might get pulled over or attract attention for going painfully slow ? Me neither 🤣

If the battery is your rucksack / bag it’s only potentially an electric bike surely. No different to if I bought some batteries and wire in Halfords and biked home on my non electric bike…..

 

[classic33]

Shouldn't be as the motor isn't capable of moving the bike on it's own.

Might raise other questions as to why you're using it without the battery.

 

[johnnyb47]

It's a strange one this
Thinking more on it ,I would be reasonably confident it's ok.
Pushing the grey area even further,can you ride an illegal Ebike with the battery fitted but turned off.
Surely there's got to be some defined law on this either way

 

[Kingfisher101]

Just ride it anyway, no one will stop you and no one gives a toss. Police are not interested.

 

[classic33]

It's a strange one this
Thinking more on it ,I would be reasonably confident it's ok.
Pushing the grey area even further,can you ride an illegal Ebike with the battery fitted but turned off.
Surely there's got to be some defined law on this either way

Odd maybe, but they do use the wording "capable of propelling" in the regulations.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Hi,
Just through curiosity it's got me thinking about the use of illegal Ebikes.
I make no excuses I've got one ,but I must stress I only use it on private land/estate with the owners permission.
It's a couple of miles though from where I live and was wondering how would I stand if I rode it to the private land along the public road with the battery taken off the bike and safely tucked away into my rucksack.
I have tried it along the road without the battery,and yes it's slow but not painfully slow.
Would this still be classed as illegal as I haven't got a clue to be honest.
If it is ok I would certainly use it more for short errands.
All the very best,
Johnny.

If you had a car and decided not to tax it but leave it on the public road. I don’t think they’d let you get away with “It isn’t a car, as I’ve removed the battery”. Same with an e-bike.

You could of course push it the 2 miles.

 

[classic33]

If you had a car and decided not to tax it but leave it on the public road. I don’t think they’d let you get away with “It isn’t a car, as I’ve removed the battery”. Same with an e-bike.

You could of course push it the 2 miles.

But if you pedal so that your speed is more than the 25kmh cutoff speed, they don't hold that against you.
And to date, in the UK, electric bikes do not require taxing. They're covered by the same legislation as battery powered electric cars. At least until next April.

The wording "capable of propelling" is the important wording.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

@johnnyb47 if anyone cared there wouldn't be a gazillion of unchallenged Deliveroo riders on the roads and on the cycle paths.
Of course you could always insure, tax, number plate your wee motorbike, then you'd be legal even if none cares

 

[classic33]

@johnnyb47 if anyone cared there wouldn't be a gazillion of unchallenged Deliveroo riders on the roads and on the cycle paths.
Of course you could always insure, tax, number plate your wee motorbike, then you'd be legal even if none cares

Can't tax it, electric vehicles aren't liable for VED at the moment in the UK.

Road Tax disappeared a long time ago.

 

[Drago]

Removing the battery alone won't make it any less a 'mechanically propelled vehicle' for the purposes of the law. You'd need to removed the motor, electrics, the while shooting match.

But it's unlikely in the extreme any copper would care if the battery was in your rucksack and you were pedalling merrily away.

 

[johnnyb47]

@johnnyb47 if anyone cared there wouldn't be a gazillion of unchallenged Deliveroo riders on the roads and on the cycle paths.
Of course you could always insure, tax, number plate your wee motorbike, then you'd be legal even if none cares

Yes very true.
In reality I could probably ride my bike around for many hundreds of miles without being challenged.
I often think if your riding an illegal Ebike sensibly and not flaunting it with crazy high speeds your chances of getting caught out are low.
On the other hand though,if you do have an accident or get your collar felt you could potentially pay a high high price for it.

 

[johnnyb47]

Removing the battery alone won't make it any less a 'mechanically propelled vehicle' for the purposes of the law. You'd need to removed the motor, electrics, the while shooting match.

But it's unlikely in the extreme any copper would care if the battery was in your rucksack and you were pedalling merrily away.

Cheers @Drago
That's makes a lot of sense

 

[sleuthey]

how would I stand if I rode it to the private land

Keep your feet on the pedals and raise your arse of the saddle.

 

[johnnyb47]

Brilliant advice 🤣🤣