BBC up to their usual trick of failing to distinguish between legal EAPCs and illegal electric motor-bikes/scooters. MIB would only come into play in relation to the latter, so any impact on premiums, however minute, is nothing to do with legal EAPCs.
July 7, 2026 at 9:27 AM
BBC up to their usual trick of failing to distinguish between legal EAPCs and illegal electric motor-bikes/scooters. MIB would only come into play in relation to the latter, so any impact on premiums, however minute, is nothing to do with legal EAPCs.
Outrageous decision by uneducated plod who clearly don't know their arse from their elbow when it comes to legal EAPCs. I hope the owners are fully compensated quickly for this.
New: A road-legal, council-funded @ternbicycles.com HSD e-bike allegedly crushed, wrongly identified as a motorcycle by police. Calls for education on the issue are growing
www.cyclingelectric.com/news/police-...
www.cyclingelectric.com/news/police-...
Call for education as police crush road-legal, council-funded Tern HSD e-bike
A legal e-bike, mistakenly seized and destroyed by West Midlands Police as part of a crackdown on illegal electric motorcycles
www.cyclingelectric.com
July 8, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Outrageous decision by uneducated plod who clearly don't know their arse from their elbow when it comes to legal EAPCs. I hope the owners are fully compensated quickly for this.
Again, the police and news reporters are calling these things, which don’t even have pedals, “e-bikes”! It’s maddening. They’re clearly motorbikes! Please get it right! They’re worlds apart from EAPCs.
February 17, 2026 at 9:54 AM
Again, the police and news reporters are calling these things, which don’t even have pedals, “e-bikes”! It’s maddening. They’re clearly motorbikes! Please get it right! They’re worlds apart from EAPCs.
Very few people want EAPCs capable of moped speeds because EAPCs would then have to be regulated as mopeds.
July 25, 2026 at 11:05 PM
Very few people want EAPCs capable of moped speeds because EAPCs would then have to be regulated as mopeds.
Can you please stop calling them e-bikes, they are e-motos and a distinctly different category to EAPCs, colloquially known as e-bikes. It's not helping.
May 15, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Can you please stop calling them e-bikes, they are e-motos and a distinctly different category to EAPCs, colloquially known as e-bikes. It's not helping.
This police officer understands that a bike modified to reach high speeds via a throttle is a motorcycle, not an e-bike.
E-bikes or electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs in law) provide assistance while pedalling to 15.5mph before cutting out. A throttle can support walking mode up to 3.7mph.
E-bikes or electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs in law) provide assistance while pedalling to 15.5mph before cutting out. A throttle can support walking mode up to 3.7mph.
July 25, 2026 at 2:27 PM
This police officer understands that a bike modified to reach high speeds via a throttle is a motorcycle, not an e-bike.
E-bikes or electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs in law) provide assistance while pedalling to 15.5mph before cutting out. A throttle can support walking mode up to 3.7mph.
E-bikes or electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs in law) provide assistance while pedalling to 15.5mph before cutting out. A throttle can support walking mode up to 3.7mph.
"The rider and a pillion passenger ...".
So ... not an e-bike, but an illegal electric motor-bike, ridden illegally by a 13-year-old, with zero regard for legal requirements.
But the BBC says "e-bike" - #2,004,567 in the catalogue of BBC misrepresentation of cyclists/cycling/EAPCs.
So ... not an e-bike, but an illegal electric motor-bike, ridden illegally by a 13-year-old, with zero regard for legal requirements.
But the BBC says "e-bike" - #2,004,567 in the catalogue of BBC misrepresentation of cyclists/cycling/EAPCs.
February 3, 2026 at 6:43 PM
"The rider and a pillion passenger ...".
So ... not an e-bike, but an illegal electric motor-bike, ridden illegally by a 13-year-old, with zero regard for legal requirements.
But the BBC says "e-bike" - #2,004,567 in the catalogue of BBC misrepresentation of cyclists/cycling/EAPCs.
So ... not an e-bike, but an illegal electric motor-bike, ridden illegally by a 13-year-old, with zero regard for legal requirements.
But the BBC says "e-bike" - #2,004,567 in the catalogue of BBC misrepresentation of cyclists/cycling/EAPCs.
You do have to pedal, the study is from Norway, where EAPCs mean the rider provides at least half the power.
March 12, 2026 at 7:34 AM
You do have to pedal, the study is from Norway, where EAPCs mean the rider provides at least half the power.
Well done Laura, you came across really well and made your points very clearly. I do still fear that EAPCs and franken-bikes will continue to be conflated and this puts legitimate use of electric-assisted cycles at risk. Seems to be a mostly UK problem! 🙄
July 7, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Well done Laura, you came across really well and made your points very clearly. I do still fear that EAPCs and franken-bikes will continue to be conflated and this puts legitimate use of electric-assisted cycles at risk. Seems to be a mostly UK problem! 🙄
Radio Scotland again wanging on about ebikes when they mean motorbikes. Solicitor being interviewed makes clear EAPCs are not illegal 'motorbikes'
September 16, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Radio Scotland again wanging on about ebikes when they mean motorbikes. Solicitor being interviewed makes clear EAPCs are not illegal 'motorbikes'
When it comes to ebikes and eapcs the law is very clear. It's that no one enforces grey imports. You can't buy a car on AliExpress & drive without registration & a motorcycle should be no different.
February 15, 2025 at 7:58 PM
When it comes to ebikes and eapcs the law is very clear. It's that no one enforces grey imports. You can't buy a car on AliExpress & drive without registration & a motorcycle should be no different.
We have mobility schemes for cars. There should be subsidies for disabled people to access suitably adapted cycles and EAPCs.
January 20, 2025 at 11:24 AM
We have mobility schemes for cars. There should be subsidies for disabled people to access suitably adapted cycles and EAPCs.
The UK laws are crystal clear. EAPCs can only apply power to assist pedaling , have a maximum power limit and also cut out at 25 km/h. This is not a problem with definition. It's one of enforcement. Banning EAPCs from bike lanes would be catastrophic.
July 6, 2025 at 5:54 PM
The UK laws are crystal clear. EAPCs can only apply power to assist pedaling , have a maximum power limit and also cut out at 25 km/h. This is not a problem with definition. It's one of enforcement. Banning EAPCs from bike lanes would be catastrophic.
As someone who deals with these illegal e-motor bikes (few can be classified as EAPCs) on a regular basis, this is a fantastic article. I could say a lot more, but can't, unfortunately....
June 19, 2025 at 6:31 AM
As someone who deals with these illegal e-motor bikes (few can be classified as EAPCs) on a regular basis, this is a fantastic article. I could say a lot more, but can't, unfortunately....
You've fallen into a common trap here, which is the assumption that throttle = illegal.
'Twist and go' type-approved EAPCs can throttle up to the EAPC assistance level of 15.5mph legally, meaning that someone not pedalling is not certain to be riding illegally.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
'Twist and go' type-approved EAPCs can throttle up to the EAPC assistance level of 15.5mph legally, meaning that someone not pedalling is not certain to be riding illegally.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
EAPC standards and legal requirements
www.gov.uk
June 28, 2026 at 4:37 PM
You've fallen into a common trap here, which is the assumption that throttle = illegal.
'Twist and go' type-approved EAPCs can throttle up to the EAPC assistance level of 15.5mph legally, meaning that someone not pedalling is not certain to be riding illegally.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
'Twist and go' type-approved EAPCs can throttle up to the EAPC assistance level of 15.5mph legally, meaning that someone not pedalling is not certain to be riding illegally.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Please note:
Contrary to what even a lot of cycling and ebike advocates believe, it is legal in the UK for EAPCs to be powered up to 15.5mph without the need for pedalling (i.e. under throttle) if they have been type approved.
These are thin on the ground but are legally commercially available:
Contrary to what even a lot of cycling and ebike advocates believe, it is legal in the UK for EAPCs to be powered up to 15.5mph without the need for pedalling (i.e. under throttle) if they have been type approved.
These are thin on the ground but are legally commercially available:
July 21, 2026 at 12:54 PM
Please note:
Contrary to what even a lot of cycling and ebike advocates believe, it is legal in the UK for EAPCs to be powered up to 15.5mph without the need for pedalling (i.e. under throttle) if they have been type approved.
These are thin on the ground but are legally commercially available:
Contrary to what even a lot of cycling and ebike advocates believe, it is legal in the UK for EAPCs to be powered up to 15.5mph without the need for pedalling (i.e. under throttle) if they have been type approved.
These are thin on the ground but are legally commercially available:
There does seem to be an anti ebike bandwagon currently.
Theres also a clear difference here at least between EAPCs which may have been hacked and electric motorcycles. The latter are the ones being ridden dangerously.
Theres also a clear difference here at least between EAPCs which may have been hacked and electric motorcycles. The latter are the ones being ridden dangerously.
September 14, 2026 at 7:48 PM
There does seem to be an anti ebike bandwagon currently.
Theres also a clear difference here at least between EAPCs which may have been hacked and electric motorcycles. The latter are the ones being ridden dangerously.
Theres also a clear difference here at least between EAPCs which may have been hacked and electric motorcycles. The latter are the ones being ridden dangerously.
"Alison", the woman in the CCTV in the article, appears to have crossed the road on a red man without looking.
Had she been hit by a car, she'd have been hurt far worse - yet it wouldn't be a news story at all 😢
And of course this story will end up conflated with dockless and EAPCs.
Had she been hit by a car, she'd have been hurt far worse - yet it wouldn't be a news story at all 😢
And of course this story will end up conflated with dockless and EAPCs.
July 7, 2026 at 9:35 AM
"Alison", the woman in the CCTV in the article, appears to have crossed the road on a red man without looking.
Had she been hit by a car, she'd have been hurt far worse - yet it wouldn't be a news story at all 😢
And of course this story will end up conflated with dockless and EAPCs.
Had she been hit by a car, she'd have been hurt far worse - yet it wouldn't be a news story at all 😢
And of course this story will end up conflated with dockless and EAPCs.
What are the chances that @telegraph.co.uk has got this wrong again, and that it wasn't in fact an "e-bike", but an electric motorbike? Any chance to demonise EAPCs!
December 3, 2025 at 9:36 AM
What are the chances that @telegraph.co.uk has got this wrong again, and that it wasn't in fact an "e-bike", but an electric motorbike? Any chance to demonise EAPCs!
The media are never, ever going to use the phrase illegal electric motorbikes. They will just use the term “e-bikes” as a catch all term, therefore it’s essential to differentiate legal/safe EAPCs.
July 6, 2025 at 5:16 PM
The media are never, ever going to use the phrase illegal electric motorbikes. They will just use the term “e-bikes” as a catch all term, therefore it’s essential to differentiate legal/safe EAPCs.
All EAPCs you have to be 14 or older.
May 14, 2026 at 11:28 AM
All EAPCs you have to be 14 or older.
Okay, for the sake of moving on, let's agree that the writer meant US Class 3 e-bikes, which in Europe we call electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs).
What she's missed is that research findings are emerging that riding EAPCs likely provides higher cardio and other health outcomes than walking.
What she's missed is that research findings are emerging that riding EAPCs likely provides higher cardio and other health outcomes than walking.
September 2, 2026 at 12:06 PM
Okay, for the sake of moving on, let's agree that the writer meant US Class 3 e-bikes, which in Europe we call electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs).
What she's missed is that research findings are emerging that riding EAPCs likely provides higher cardio and other health outcomes than walking.
What she's missed is that research findings are emerging that riding EAPCs likely provides higher cardio and other health outcomes than walking.
Legal e-bikes in the UK are officially known as EAPCs (Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles). The main rules provide that they must:
- be fitted with pedals that can propel them
- have an electric motor with max power not > 250 watts
- cut off electrical assistance when they reach 15.5 mph
- be fitted with pedals that can propel them
- have an electric motor with max power not > 250 watts
- cut off electrical assistance when they reach 15.5 mph
July 21, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Legal e-bikes in the UK are officially known as EAPCs (Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles). The main rules provide that they must:
- be fitted with pedals that can propel them
- have an electric motor with max power not > 250 watts
- cut off electrical assistance when they reach 15.5 mph
- be fitted with pedals that can propel them
- have an electric motor with max power not > 250 watts
- cut off electrical assistance when they reach 15.5 mph
To be treated as EAPCs at least, other moped categories are available.
April 21, 2026 at 2:06 PM
To be treated as EAPCs at least, other moped categories are available.
Right direction
But public transport; bicycles; EAPCs; and walking - will all do this better
But public transport; bicycles; EAPCs; and walking - will all do this better
November 28, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Right direction
But public transport; bicycles; EAPCs; and walking - will all do this better
But public transport; bicycles; EAPCs; and walking - will all do this better