Cyclists have warned that illegally modified electric bikes are posing a bigger danger than cars on British roads in a shocking discovery.
Research by insurance provider Cycleplan found that eight per cent of regular cyclists believe tampered e-bikes pose the greatest threat to their safety, more than motor vehicles.
The poll questioned 500 people who cycle regularly across the UK and suggests attitudes are shifting as electric bikes become more common.
One in 12 cyclists said illegal e-bikes worry them more than cars, buses or lorries. Just a few years ago, most cyclists pointed to motor traffic as their main concern.
Electric bikes have surged in popularity, particularly in cities, but many riders appear unaware of the rules.
Under UK law, e-bikes must stop providing motor assistance once they reach 15.5mph.
Any bike that goes faster using a motor is illegal unless it is registered, taxed and insured like a motorbike.
However, many e-bikes on the road have been illegally modified to reach much higher speeds.
These faster bikes are often seen using cycle lanes and pavements — spaces designed for slower, human-powered travel — and this has left many traditional cyclists feeling uneasy.
Police have begun seizing and crushing illegal e-bikes, which cyclists view as more dangerous than cars
| SOUTH YORKSHIRE POLICEConfidence among cyclists has also fallen sharply, with just 18 per cent of those surveyed saying they feel safe cycling on UK roads in 2026.
That is down from 27 per cent when the same question was asked three years ago.
At the same time, reported accidents and near-misses are rising. Four out of 10 cyclists said they had been involved in a crash or a close call in the past year. In 2023, that figure stood at 33 per cent.
The findings come as the Government continues to encourage people to cycle more as part of its push for greener transport.
But some cyclists warned the reality on the ground does not match the messaging.
One survey respondent said: "The biggest problem is dark dressed, no lights, electric bikes doing very high speeds at junctions. You're far more likely to see a car and can predict how they move."
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E-bike riders can face prosecution in the same way as drivers for failing to follow traffic rules | PASomeone else warned that reckless riding by a minority of people has been damaging the reputation of all e-bike users.
Another cyclist said: "The number of times I've seen modified e-bike users almost hit something in the last year is very unhelpful for all cyclists who use an electric bicycle properly."
One respondent admitted they had been put off cycling altogether, saying simply: "I am literally too scared to cycle now."
Cycleplan chief executive Alan Thomas said the results should be taken seriously. He described the drop in confidence as "both striking and concerning"
E-bikes have faced criticism from Britons over being used recklessly by riders
| PAHe shared: "Perhaps most notable is that some riders now see other cyclists, or at least illegally modified e-bikes, as part of the problem. That suggests enforcement around e-bike speed limits hasn't kept pace with adoption.
"Often, the issue isn't just speed, but how unpredictable modified e-bikes can feel – particularly on cycle lanes and pavements designed for slower road users."
Mr Thomas explained how research suggested the traditional cars-versus-cyclists narrative "may no longer tell the full story of where riders feel most at risk."
The survey added to growing calls for clearer rules, better enforcement and tougher action against illegal e-bikes, as tensions rise between different types of road users.