Increase in seizures of illegal ebikes

[Dogtrousers]

Here's something else. It's pretty clear here that the twist-and-go throttle is OK provided that it was sold or "in the market" prior to 1 Jan 2016

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...rtain-electrically-assisted-pedal-cycles-eapc

So you have to have <250W, pedalling required, max assist 25kmh whatever date it was made. There's no grandfathering in of super powerful/fast bikes or bikes which aren't electric-assist needing pedalling. But twist-and-go throttles which were sold or "in the market" on 1 Jan 2016 are OK, but twist-and-go after then is not.

 

[Rusty Nails]

Thinking of putting an offer in for this one:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/48v-1500w-28ah-e-bike-/1487000873

 

[Drago]

Thinking of putting an offer in for this one:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/48v-1500w-28ah-e-bike-/1487000873

It's both "brand new" and "low mileage" at the same time!

And not in a rush to sell, yet has gone the the effort of advertising it for sale...

Sounds pukka to me.

 

[fossyant]

Need to chase up my employer about the electric motorbike in the cycle parking, as motorbikes aren't allowed in cycle parking. Also it's an illegal vehicle crossing University property. I've sent them the Government guidelines and the bike's official specs. They have banned electric scooters as they aren't legal, but the bikes are causing a headache, for some reason.

 

[fossyant]

Maybe so but they still have to provide right to work documentation
https://riders.deliveroo.co.uk/en/support/new-riders/document-check
And the Gov looking to crack down
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/...ce-security-checks-to-prevent-illegal-working

Given the numbers seen riding, these companies really don't care. TBH, in Manchester I think I've seen only one or two riders on normal bikes, most are DIY modified, or 'imports' moving either very fast or at 15 mph, without pedalling.

 

[BoldonLad]

"Forces across the UK confiscated 937 e-bikes in the year to 11 August, according to Freedom of Information figures - compared with 511 recorded during the previous 12 months."

Numerators with no denominator are all but useless. If there were enough data to see whether or not the police are just p!ssing in the wind it might inform a decision about whether restricting the bikes at source is a more productive measure.

Agreed. I see illegal e-bikes being ridden almost every day (as well as motorcycles with no registration plate), I would think if the Police put their mind to it, they could confiscate 900+ illegal e-bikes in South Tyneside alone.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Thinking of putting an offer in for this one:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/48v-1500w-28ah-e-bike-/1487000873

Whys it got a frying pan for a rear hub? What a mess.

 

[albion]

Brand new .
Low mileage.
Brakes fixed.

Well done Dell Boy.

 

[vickster]

Given the numbers seen riding, these companies really don't care. TBH, in Manchester I think I've seen only one or two riders on normal bikes, most are DIY modified, or 'imports' moving either very fast or at 15 mph, without pedalling.

And you know they don’t have right to work as per the post you quoted?

 

[Rusty Nails]

Whys it got a frying pan for a rear hub? What a mess.

'Ullo John! Got a new motor?

Must be good,the battery's from Aliexpress.

 

[Alex321]

The regulation applies to the SALE OF NEW EPAC'S it does not mention usage, likewise the regs allow the SALE of higher powered EPAC's marked for 'off road usage' only, it is illegal to use these on the road but it always was even under the prior rules

False.

The regulations don't mention sale, they apply to USE.

Initial Regulation
Https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1983/1168/made

As amended 2015
Https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/24/made

Section 140 of Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (as referred to in the amended regulation
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/27/section/140

Section 189 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as referred to in regulation
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/189

And explanatory memorandum to the 2015 regulation
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/24/pdfs/uksiem_20150024_en.pdf

Note that under Purpose of the instrument it says (my bold)
Purpose of the instrument 2.1
These regulations change the provisions that define the class of electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs) treated as not being a motor vehicle when used on roads in Great Britain.

 

[Alex321]

Cycling UK - who have lawyers and stuff so might be expected to be better informed than us - say:
https://www.cyclinguk.org/cyclists-library/regulations/eapc-regulations

Note: twist-and-go e-bikes bought before the introduction of the new laws and limited to a 250W motor rating remain effectively legal and so can be legally purchased and used as secondhand models.​

...

... No power without pedalling, which must be a feature of any post-2015 legal e-bike ...​

Make of that what you will.

They seem to have cherry picked some things to be grandfathered in (twist and go) but not others (250W limit)

You had better tell the government then, since they believe that twist-and-go is legal (and the regulations don't mention it)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...cles-eapcs-in-great-britain-information-sheet

I would be surprised if Cycling UK actually know better than the government, but I'm not a lawyer, just had a fair amount of practice reading legislation (for a variety of reasons).

 

[Alex321]

OK. So why would a trike built and legal under the prior rules but not conforming to the current rules be "still OK to ride" on road now? Or wouldn't it?

It can't exist.

The new rules increased the maximum power allowed (from 200 to 250W), increased the maximum speed the motor could operate at (from 15 to 15.5mph) and increased the number of wheels allowed (from 3 to "2 or more").

They did not add any new restrictions.

There is no EAPC which would have been legal under the 1983 regulations, but is no longer legal under the 2015 amendments.

 

[Alex321]

Here's something else. It's pretty clear here that the twist-and-go throttle is OK provided that it was sold or "in the market" prior to 1 Jan 2016

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...rtain-electrically-assisted-pedal-cycles-eapc

So you have to have <250W, pedalling required, max assist 25kmh whatever date it was made. There's no grandfathering in of super powerful/fast bikes or bikes which aren't electric-assist needing pedalling. But twist-and-go throttles which were sold or "in the market" on 1 Jan 2016 are OK, but twist-and-go after then is not.

Twist and go sold after that are still legal to sell if they get type approval - they are still classed as EAPC in that case, and do not need registration.

And regardless of legality of sale, they are legal to use.

there are differences between what is legal to sell, and what is legal to use.

 

[keithmac]

As an ebike owner myself I'm glad they are cracking down, some do 30mph+.

If you want to go that fast by motor power then you should be licensed and insured imho.

15.5 mph is plenty fast enough for a legal assist bike.

I have noticed the legal mountain bikes have an initial boost but are still rated 250w nominal power, don't know how they have managed to cludge that one..

I saw a young lad on a fat tyred ebIke yesterday and he must have been doing in excess of 30mph.