E-bike proposals "a huge safety risk" says Cycling UK and would "blur the
line between e-bikes and electric motorbikes"

by Rebecca Morley Mar 1 2024

Electrical Safety First also expresses concern as government acknowledges
risk of “more severe battery fires”

The government’s proposals to double the legal wattage of electric bike
motors to 500W and allow ‘twist and go’ e-bikes to have throttle assistance
up to 15.5mph present a “huge safety risk” to pedestrians and others who
cycle, charity Cycling UK has said.

The Department for Transport (DfT) announced the proposed changes
yesterday, with the rationale that they will make electrically assisted
pedal cycles (EAPCs), “a more attractive and viable travel option for more
people,” with benefits including making it easier for people to ride up
hills.

Reacting to the news on X (formerly Twitter), London e-cargo bike courier,
Pedal Me, said cargo bikes are, "a potentially transformational
technology", and "much safer, more efficient, cleaner to share a city
with," but that currently, "they are hindered by a lack of power.
Especially in hilly areas."

> Electric bikes and UK law

But Cycling UK’s director of external affairs, Sarah McMonagle, said the
increased power, "would mean faster acceleration and much heavier bikes,
which we’re really concerned about.”

The Bicycle Association (BA) also suggested that higher powered vehicles
would accelerate more quickly and would require bigger batteries, making
them heavier and more dangerous in crashes.

The trade body said that while the idea of more power and throttles may
seem superficially attractive, “we believe it cannot be introduced without
putting at risk the electric cycle’s category status as ‘not a motor
vehicle'."

> Florida town temporarily bans e-bikes in response to death of local woman
> following collision with 12-year-old e-bike rider

Also commenting on the news, charity Electrical Safety First (ESF) said
substandard e-bike batteries are already causing "devastating" fires across
the country, and that it was “concerning” that the government is consulting
on permitting an increase in power, “without first addressing the critical
safety concerns we have raised”.

The government’s consultation says, “there may be a risk of more severe
battery fires from more powerful e-cycles and this could be exacerbated by
tampering”, and this will be considered as part of cross-government work
into the safety of lithium-ion batteries used by e-bikes.

> ‘Buying a complete e-bike is generally safer’ – new government guidance
> uneasy about DIY conversions

An ESF spokesperson said: “We believe the priority should be to ensure the
current batteries and accessories for these devices are safe.

"At present, a fully charged e-bike battery can release a similar amount of
stored energy to six hand grenades if the device fails. We need tighter
regulation to ensure e-bikes and their batteries are safe before they come
onto the market.

“We will of course review the proposals within the consultation issued
today and provide a response, but we urge the government to prioritise
adopting our forthcoming Bill in Parliament to introduce third party
certification for e-bikes, e-scooters and their batteries, to prevent
further loss of life.”

> UK bike trade backs ESF e-bike fire safety recommendations - but action
> "must address high risk imports"

McMonagle also said that e-bikes with no pedal requirement would reduce the
health benefits of e-cycling – "in essence, they would blur the line
between e-bikes and electric motorbikes.

"The government has stated that the proposed changes would make e-cycles
more attractive, yet the most commonly cited reason for people not cycling
is that they don’t feel safe. E-cycles are also prohibitively expensive for
many people.

“We fully agree with the government’s goal to get more people to enjoy the
benefits of e-cycles, but believe the way to do that effectively is to
invest in high quality infrastructure and provide financial assistance for
those who need it.”

Pedal Me also harbours reservations about throttle-controlled e-bikes,
saying, "clearly there should be exceptions for those with disability, but
we foresee widespread abuse from 'twist and go' arrangements."

The consultation began yesterday, February 29, and will run until 11:59pm
on April 25.

<https://ebiketips.road.cc/content/news/e-bike-proposals-a-huge-safety-risk-says-cycling-uk-and-would-blur-the-line-between-e>

--
Spike

On 4/03/24 04:43, Spike wrote:
>
> E-bike proposals "a huge safety risk" says Cycling UK and would "blur the
> line between e-bikes and electric motorbikes"
>
> by Rebecca Morley Mar 1 2024
>
> Electrical Safety First also expresses concern as government acknowledges
> risk of “more severe battery fires”
>
> The government’s proposals to double the legal wattage of electric bike
> motors to 500W and allow ‘twist and go’ e-bikes to have throttle assistance
> up to 15.5mph present a “huge safety risk” to pedestrians and others who
> cycle, charity Cycling UK has said.
>
> The Department for Transport (DfT) announced the proposed changes
> yesterday, with the rationale that they will make electrically assisted
> pedal cycles (EAPCs), “a more attractive and viable travel option for more
> people,” with benefits including making it easier for people to ride up
> hills.
>
> Reacting to the news on X (formerly Twitter), London e-cargo bike courier,
> Pedal Me, said cargo bikes are, "a potentially transformational
> technology", and "much safer, more efficient, cleaner to share a city
> with," but that currently, "they are hindered by a lack of power.
> Especially in hilly areas."
>
>> Electric bikes and UK law
>
> But Cycling UK’s director of external affairs, Sarah McMonagle, said the
> increased power, "would mean faster acceleration and much heavier bikes,
> which we’re really concerned about.”
>
> The Bicycle Association (BA) also suggested that higher powered vehicles
> would accelerate more quickly and would require bigger batteries, making
> them heavier and more dangerous in crashes.
>
> The trade body said that while the idea of more power and throttles may
> seem superficially attractive, “we believe it cannot be introduced without
> putting at risk the electric cycle’s category status as ‘not a motor
> vehicle'."
>
>> Florida town temporarily bans e-bikes in response to death of local woman
>> following collision with 12-year-old e-bike rider
>
> Also commenting on the news, charity Electrical Safety First (ESF) said
> substandard e-bike batteries are already causing "devastating" fires across
> the country, and that it was “concerning” that the government is consulting
> on permitting an increase in power, “without first addressing the critical
> safety concerns we have raised”.
>
> The government’s consultation says, “there may be a risk of more severe
> battery fires from more powerful e-cycles and this could be exacerbated by
> tampering”, and this will be considered as part of cross-government work
> into the safety of lithium-ion batteries used by e-bikes.
>
>> ‘Buying a complete e-bike is generally safer’ – new government guidance
>> uneasy about DIY conversions
>
> An ESF spokesperson said: “We believe the priority should be to ensure the
> current batteries and accessories for these devices are safe.
>
> "At present, a fully charged e-bike battery can release a similar amount of
> stored energy to six hand grenades if the device fails. We need tighter
> regulation to ensure e-bikes and their batteries are safe before they come
> onto the market.
>
> “We will of course review the proposals within the consultation issued
> today and provide a response, but we urge the government to prioritise
> adopting our forthcoming Bill in Parliament to introduce third party
> certification for e-bikes, e-scooters and their batteries, to prevent
> further loss of life.”
>
>> UK bike trade backs ESF e-bike fire safety recommendations - but action
>> "must address high risk imports"
>
> McMonagle also said that e-bikes with no pedal requirement would reduce the
> health benefits of e-cycling – "in essence, they would blur the line
> between e-bikes and electric motorbikes.
>
> "The government has stated that the proposed changes would make e-cycles
> more attractive, yet the most commonly cited reason for people not cycling
> is that they don’t feel safe. E-cycles are also prohibitively expensive for
> many people.
>
> “We fully agree with the government’s goal to get more people to enjoy the
> benefits of e-cycles, but believe the way to do that effectively is to
> invest in high quality infrastructure and provide financial assistance for
> those who need it.”
>
> Pedal Me also harbours reservations about throttle-controlled e-bikes,
> saying, "clearly there should be exceptions for those with disability, but
> we foresee widespread abuse from 'twist and go' arrangements."
>
> The consultation began yesterday, February 29, and will run until 11:59pm
> on April 25.
>
> <https://ebiketips.road.cc/content/news/e-bike-proposals-a-huge-safety-risk-says-cycling-uk-and-would-blur-the-line-between-e>
>
An electric bicycle has an electric motor.
I would have thought that ipso facto this would make an electric bicycle
a motorbike.

On Mon, 04 Mar 2024 10:53:23 +1300, Peter Keller wrote:

> On 4/03/24 04:43, Spike wrote:
>>
>> E-bike proposals "a huge safety risk" says Cycling UK and would "blur
>> the line between e-bikes and electric motorbikes"
>>
>> by Rebecca Morley Mar 1 2024
>>
>> Electrical Safety First also expresses concern as government
>> acknowledges risk of “more severe battery fires”
>>
>> The government’s proposals to double the legal wattage of electric bike
>> motors to 500W and allow ‘twist and go’ e-bikes to have throttle
>> assistance up to 15.5mph present a “huge safety risk” to pedestrians
>> and others who cycle, charity Cycling UK has said.
>>
>> The Department for Transport (DfT) announced the proposed changes
>> yesterday, with the rationale that they will make electrically assisted
>> pedal cycles (EAPCs), “a more attractive and viable travel option for
>> more people,” with benefits including making it easier for people to
>> ride up hills.
>>
>> Reacting to the news on X (formerly Twitter), London e-cargo bike
>> courier,
>> Pedal Me, said cargo bikes are, "a potentially transformational
>> technology", and "much safer, more efficient, cleaner to share a city
>> with," but that currently, "they are hindered by a lack of power.
>> Especially in hilly areas."
>>
>>> Electric bikes and UK law
>>
>> But Cycling UK’s director of external affairs, Sarah McMonagle, said
>> the increased power, "would mean faster acceleration and much heavier
>> bikes,
>> which we’re really concerned about.”
>>
>> The Bicycle Association (BA) also suggested that higher powered
>> vehicles would accelerate more quickly and would require bigger
>> batteries, making them heavier and more dangerous in crashes.
>>
>> The trade body said that while the idea of more power and throttles may
>> seem superficially attractive, “we believe it cannot be introduced
>> without putting at risk the electric cycle’s category status as ‘not a
>> motor vehicle'."
>>
>>> Florida town temporarily bans e-bikes in response to death of local
>>> woman following collision with 12-year-old e-bike rider
>>
>> Also commenting on the news, charity Electrical Safety First (ESF) said
>> substandard e-bike batteries are already causing "devastating" fires
>> across the country, and that it was “concerning” that the government is
>> consulting on permitting an increase in power, “without first
>> addressing the critical safety concerns we have raised”.
>>
>> The government’s consultation says, “there may be a risk of more severe
>> battery fires from more powerful e-cycles and this could be exacerbated
>> by tampering”, and this will be considered as part of cross-government
>> work into the safety of lithium-ion batteries used by e-bikes.
>>
>>> ‘Buying a complete e-bike is generally safer’ – new government
>>> guidance uneasy about DIY conversions
>>
>> An ESF spokesperson said: “We believe the priority should be to ensure
>> the current batteries and accessories for these devices are safe.
>>
>> "At present, a fully charged e-bike battery can release a similar
>> amount of stored energy to six hand grenades if the device fails. We
>> need tighter regulation to ensure e-bikes and their batteries are safe
>> before they come onto the market.
>>
>> “We will of course review the proposals within the consultation issued
>> today and provide a response, but we urge the government to prioritise
>> adopting our forthcoming Bill in Parliament to introduce third party
>> certification for e-bikes, e-scooters and their batteries, to prevent
>> further loss of life.”
>>
>>> UK bike trade backs ESF e-bike fire safety recommendations - but
>>> action "must address high risk imports"
>>
>> McMonagle also said that e-bikes with no pedal requirement would reduce
>> the health benefits of e-cycling – "in essence, they would blur the
>> line between e-bikes and electric motorbikes.
>>
>> "The government has stated that the proposed changes would make
>> e-cycles more attractive, yet the most commonly cited reason for people
>> not cycling is that they don’t feel safe. E-cycles are also
>> prohibitively expensive for many people.
>>
>> “We fully agree with the government’s goal to get more people to enjoy
>> the benefits of e-cycles, but believe the way to do that effectively is
>> to invest in high quality infrastructure and provide financial
>> assistance for those who need it.”
>>
>> Pedal Me also harbours reservations about throttle-controlled e-bikes,
>> saying, "clearly there should be exceptions for those with disability,
>> but we foresee widespread abuse from 'twist and go' arrangements."
>>
>> The consultation began yesterday, February 29, and will run until
>> 11:59pm on April 25.
>>
>> <https://ebiketips.road.cc/content/news/e-bike-proposals-a-huge-safety-
risk-says-cycling-uk-and-would-blur-the-line-between-e>
>>
> An electric bicycle has an electric motor.
> I would have thought that ipso facto this would make an electric bicycle
> a motorbike.

Sounds sensible to me. So what about mobility scooters? And does that
make electric wheelchairs cars?

On 4/03/24 11:23, Mungo Jerry wrote:
> On Mon, 04 Mar 2024 10:53:23 +1300, Peter Keller wrote:
>
>> On 4/03/24 04:43, Spike wrote:
>>>
>>> E-bike proposals "a huge safety risk" says Cycling UK and would "blur
>>> the line between e-bikes and electric motorbikes"
>>>
>>> by Rebecca Morley Mar 1 2024
>>>
>>> Electrical Safety First also expresses concern as government
>>> acknowledges risk of “more severe battery fires”
>>>
>>> The government’s proposals to double the legal wattage of electric bike
>>> motors to 500W and allow ‘twist and go’ e-bikes to have throttle
>>> assistance up to 15.5mph present a “huge safety risk” to pedestrians
>>> and others who cycle, charity Cycling UK has said.
>>>
>>> The Department for Transport (DfT) announced the proposed changes
>>> yesterday, with the rationale that they will make electrically assisted
>>> pedal cycles (EAPCs), “a more attractive and viable travel option for
>>> more people,” with benefits including making it easier for people to
>>> ride up hills.
>>>
>>> Reacting to the news on X (formerly Twitter), London e-cargo bike
>>> courier,
>>> Pedal Me, said cargo bikes are, "a potentially transformational
>>> technology", and "much safer, more efficient, cleaner to share a city
>>> with," but that currently, "they are hindered by a lack of power.
>>> Especially in hilly areas."
>>>
>>>> Electric bikes and UK law
>>>
>>> But Cycling UK’s director of external affairs, Sarah McMonagle, said
>>> the increased power, "would mean faster acceleration and much heavier
>>> bikes,
>>> which we’re really concerned about.”
>>>
>>> The Bicycle Association (BA) also suggested that higher powered
>>> vehicles would accelerate more quickly and would require bigger
>>> batteries, making them heavier and more dangerous in crashes.
>>>
>>> The trade body said that while the idea of more power and throttles may
>>> seem superficially attractive, “we believe it cannot be introduced
>>> without putting at risk the electric cycle’s category status as ‘not a
>>> motor vehicle'."
>>>
>>>> Florida town temporarily bans e-bikes in response to death of local
>>>> woman following collision with 12-year-old e-bike rider
>>>
>>> Also commenting on the news, charity Electrical Safety First (ESF) said
>>> substandard e-bike batteries are already causing "devastating" fires
>>> across the country, and that it was “concerning” that the government is
>>> consulting on permitting an increase in power, “without first
>>> addressing the critical safety concerns we have raised”.
>>>
>>> The government’s consultation says, “there may be a risk of more severe
>>> battery fires from more powerful e-cycles and this could be exacerbated
>>> by tampering”, and this will be considered as part of cross-government
>>> work into the safety of lithium-ion batteries used by e-bikes.
>>>
>>>> ‘Buying a complete e-bike is generally safer’ – new government
>>>> guidance uneasy about DIY conversions
>>>
>>> An ESF spokesperson said: “We believe the priority should be to ensure
>>> the current batteries and accessories for these devices are safe.
>>>
>>> "At present, a fully charged e-bike battery can release a similar
>>> amount of stored energy to six hand grenades if the device fails. We
>>> need tighter regulation to ensure e-bikes and their batteries are safe
>>> before they come onto the market.
>>>
>>> “We will of course review the proposals within the consultation issued
>>> today and provide a response, but we urge the government to prioritise
>>> adopting our forthcoming Bill in Parliament to introduce third party
>>> certification for e-bikes, e-scooters and their batteries, to prevent
>>> further loss of life.”
>>>
>>>> UK bike trade backs ESF e-bike fire safety recommendations - but
>>>> action "must address high risk imports"
>>>
>>> McMonagle also said that e-bikes with no pedal requirement would reduce
>>> the health benefits of e-cycling – "in essence, they would blur the
>>> line between e-bikes and electric motorbikes.
>>>
>>> "The government has stated that the proposed changes would make
>>> e-cycles more attractive, yet the most commonly cited reason for people
>>> not cycling is that they don’t feel safe. E-cycles are also
>>> prohibitively expensive for many people.
>>>
>>> “We fully agree with the government’s goal to get more people to enjoy
>>> the benefits of e-cycles, but believe the way to do that effectively is
>>> to invest in high quality infrastructure and provide financial
>>> assistance for those who need it.”
>>>
>>> Pedal Me also harbours reservations about throttle-controlled e-bikes,
>>> saying, "clearly there should be exceptions for those with disability,
>>> but we foresee widespread abuse from 'twist and go' arrangements."
>>>
>>> The consultation began yesterday, February 29, and will run until
>>> 11:59pm on April 25.
>>>
>>> <https://ebiketips.road.cc/content/news/e-bike-proposals-a-huge-safety-
> risk-says-cycling-uk-and-would-blur-the-line-between-e>
>>>
>> An electric bicycle has an electric motor.
>> I would have thought that ipso facto this would make an electric bicycle
>> a motorbike.
>
> Sounds sensible to me. So what about mobility scooters? And does that
> make electric wheelchairs cars?

Yes, they are technically motor vehicles.
But pragmatically they can perhaps be limited to footpaths and such and
to a maximum speed of 3 mph. After all thy enable people who cannot walk
to move around.

On 03/03/2024 09:53 pm, Peter Keller wrote:
> On 4/03/24 04:43, Spike wrote:
>>
>> E-bike proposals "a huge safety risk" says Cycling UK and would "blur the
>> line between e-bikes and electric motorbikes"
>>
>> by Rebecca Morley Mar 1 2024
>>
>> Electrical Safety First also expresses concern as government acknowledges
>> risk of “more severe battery fires”
>>
>> The government’s proposals to double the legal wattage of electric bike
>> motors to 500W and allow ‘twist and go’ e-bikes to have throttle
>> assistance
>> up to 15.5mph present a “huge safety risk” to pedestrians and others who
>> cycle, charity Cycling UK has said.
>>
>> The Department for Transport (DfT) announced the proposed changes
>> yesterday, with the rationale that they will make electrically assisted
>> pedal cycles (EAPCs), “a more attractive and viable travel option for
>> more
>> people,” with benefits including making it easier for people to ride up
>> hills.
>>
>> Reacting to the news on X (formerly Twitter), London e-cargo bike
>> courier,
>> Pedal Me, said cargo bikes are, "a potentially transformational
>> technology", and "much safer, more efficient, cleaner to share a city
>> with," but that currently, "they are hindered by a lack of power.
>> Especially in hilly areas."
>>
>>> Electric bikes and UK law
>>
>> But Cycling UK’s director of external affairs, Sarah McMonagle, said the
>> increased power, "would mean faster acceleration and much heavier bikes,
>> which we’re really concerned about.”
>>
>> The Bicycle Association (BA) also suggested that higher powered vehicles
>> would accelerate more quickly and would require bigger batteries, making
>> them heavier and more dangerous in crashes.
>>
>> The trade body said that while the idea of more power and throttles may
>> seem superficially attractive, “we believe it cannot be introduced
>> without
>> putting at risk the electric cycle’s category status as ‘not a motor
>> vehicle'."
>>
>>> Florida town temporarily bans e-bikes in response to death of local
>>> woman
>>> following collision with 12-year-old e-bike rider
>>
>> Also commenting on the news, charity Electrical Safety First (ESF) said
>> substandard e-bike batteries are already causing "devastating" fires
>> across
>> the country, and that it was “concerning” that the government is
>> consulting
>> on permitting an increase in power, “without first addressing the
>> critical
>> safety concerns we have raised”.
>>
>> The government’s consultation says, “there may be a risk of more severe
>> battery fires from more powerful e-cycles and this could be
>> exacerbated by
>> tampering”, and this will be considered as part of cross-government work
>> into the safety of lithium-ion batteries used by e-bikes.
>>
>>> ‘Buying a complete e-bike is generally safer’ – new government guidance
>>> uneasy about DIY conversions
>>
>> An ESF spokesperson said: “We believe the priority should be to ensure
>> the
>> current batteries and accessories for these devices are safe.
>>
>> "At present, a fully charged e-bike battery can release a similar
>> amount of
>> stored energy to six hand grenades if the device fails. We need tighter
>> regulation to ensure e-bikes and their batteries are safe before they
>> come
>> onto the market.
>>
>> “We will of course review the proposals within the consultation issued
>> today and provide a response, but we urge the government to prioritise
>> adopting our forthcoming Bill in Parliament to introduce third party
>> certification for e-bikes, e-scooters and their batteries, to prevent
>> further loss of life.”
>>
>>> UK bike trade backs ESF e-bike fire safety recommendations - but action
>>> "must address high risk imports"
>>
>> McMonagle also said that e-bikes with no pedal requirement would
>> reduce the
>> health benefits of e-cycling – "in essence, they would blur the line
>> between e-bikes and electric motorbikes.
>>
>> "The government has stated that the proposed changes would make e-cycles
>> more attractive, yet the most commonly cited reason for people not
>> cycling
>> is that they don’t feel safe. E-cycles are also prohibitively
>> expensive for
>> many people.
>>
>> “We fully agree with the government’s goal to get more people to enjoy
>> the
>> benefits of e-cycles, but believe the way to do that effectively is to
>> invest in high quality infrastructure and provide financial assistance
>> for
>> those who need it.”
>>
>> Pedal Me also harbours reservations about throttle-controlled e-bikes,
>> saying, "clearly there should be exceptions for those with disability,
>> but
>> we foresee widespread abuse from 'twist and go' arrangements."
>>
>> The consultation began yesterday, February 29, and will run until 11:59pm
>> on April 25.
>>
>> <https://ebiketips.road.cc/content/news/e-bike-proposals-a-huge-safety-risk-says-cycling-uk-and-would-blur-the-line-between-e>
>>
>>
> An electric bicycle has an electric motor.
> I would have thought that ipso facto this would make an electric bicycle
> a motorbike.

So would I.

If someone managed to fit an electric motor (and steering) onto a
"trailer", we can all be assured that the police and courts would not be
put off by a claim that it wasn't a car.

On 04/03/2024 07:47, Peter Keller wrote:
> On 4/03/24 11:23, Mungo Jerry wrote:
>> On Mon, 04 Mar 2024 10:53:23 +1300, Peter Keller wrote:
>>
>>>>
>>> An electric bicycle has an electric motor.
>>> I would have thought that ipso facto this would make an electric bicycle
>>> a motorbike.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrically-assisted-pedal-cycles-eapcs/electrically-assisted-pedal-cycles-eapcs-in-great-britain-information-sheet

>>
>> Sounds sensible to me. So what about mobility scooters? And does that
>> make electric wheelchairs cars?

>
> Yes, they are technically motor vehicles.
... subject to section 20 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons
Act 1970 (which makes special provision about invalid carriages, within the
meaning of that Act),

> But pragmatically they can perhaps be limited to footpaths and such and to
> a maximum speed of 3 mph. After all thy enable people who cannot walk to
> move around.

4mph on footway, 8mph on other roads (and used by a Disabled person)
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1988/2268/regulation/4/made