Electric Bicycles: Safety

(asked on 9th September 2026) - View Source

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to tackle the dangerous driving of illegally modified e-bikes on public roads.


Answered by
Justin Madders Portrait
Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
This question was answered on 14th September 2026

E-bikes that do not comply with the requirements of the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 are motor vehicles and must therefore be registered, taxed and insured to be used on public roads. The rider must also wear a safety helmet and hold a driving licence.

The police can seize e-bikes not properly registered as motor vehicles under Section 165A of the Road Traffic Act 1988. In addition, in the Crime and Policing Act 2026 the Government has strengthened the powers for the police to seize vehicles used anti-socially by removing the need to provide a warning. These powers apply to e-bikes that have been registered as motor vehicles.

Reticulating Splines