The UK government has abandoned a proposal to increase the maximum continuous power of electric bike motors from 250W to 500W, following widespread opposition. The plan, put forward by the Conservative Party, aimed to encourage greater adoption of electric bicycles, but was met with significant concern during the public consultation process.
A year ago, the Department for Transport (DfT) launched a consultation to explore the potential benefits of raising the motor power limit and allowing throttle-assisted electric bikes to reach speeds of up to 15.5 miles per hour (25 km/h) without requiring type approval.
However, after reviewing the responses from 2,121 participants, it became clear that the majority were against the proposals. Many respondents, particularly from stakeholder organizations, expressed concerns over safety risks, including the potential for more fires linked to e-bikes and increased dangers to other road users.
While some individuals and businesses had supported the proposed changes, the DfT noted a lack of substantial evidence to justify the increased motor power.
Additionally, the consultation revealed a significant number of identical responses opposing the changes, with some suggesting that a new category for more powerful e-bikes could be created under a different regulatory framework instead of altering existing laws for electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs).
Despite the government’s decision to abandon the plans, it remains clear that the debate over e-bike regulations will continue.
