Electric bikes and UK law
Florida town temporarily bans e-bikes in response to death of local woman following collision with 12-year-old e-bike rider
‘Buying a complete e-bike is generally safer’ – new government guidance uneasy about DIY conversions
UK bike trade backs ESF e-bike fire safety recommendations - but action
"must address high risk imports"
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>
On 4/03/24 04:43, Spike wrote:
An electric bicycle has an electric motor.
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>
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:risk-says-cycling-uk-and-would-blur-the-line-between-e>
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-
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 04:43, Spike wrote:
An electric bicycle has an electric motor.
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>
I would have thought that ipso facto this would make an electric bicycle
a motorbike.
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.
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
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.
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