Britons could see electric bikes banned from UK roads which fail to meet regulations under tougher proposals launched today.
A new piece of legislation aimed at cracking down on dangerous, overpowered e-bikes was introduced in the House of Commons by Labour MP Julie Minns, who warned illegal electric bicycles are putting lives at risk on Britain's streets.
The Carlisle MP brought forward the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Bill, which would outlaw the marketing and sale of e-bikes that exceed existing legal limits, along with conversion kits that can turn ordinary bicycles into high-powered machines.
Speaking to MPs, Ms Minns said the bill was designed to bring clarity and accountability to a market that has expanded rapidly with little oversight.
"At its core, it is about safety, clarity and responsibility," she said. "It is about protecting pedestrians, other road users, lawful cyclists, constituents and our communities from vehicles that look like bikes that behave like motorbikes."
Under current UK regulations, electric bicycles are limited to a motor output of 250 watts, with assistance cutting out once speeds reach 15.5mph.
Bikes which exceed these thresholds are classified as motor vehicles and must meet licensing, insurance, and registration requirements.
However, Ms Minns told the Commons that enforcement agencies are increasingly encountering machines that operate far beyond those limits. She described the growing presence of what she called "illegal monster bikes" on streets across the country.
Police forces can seize e-bikes caught breaking the legal speed limit in the UK | PAIn Carlisle earlier this month, police tested a seized e-bike that was capable of reaching 37 miles per hour. A second bike confiscated in the same constituency had a battery powerful enough to enable speeds of 56mph.
"Nationally, police have seized e-bikes capable of 70mph," Ms Minns said. The MP was clear that her proposals were not intended to undermine legitimate electric cycling, which she said offers significant benefits.
Properly regulated e-bikes, she argued, play an important role in reducing congestion, improving air quality and supporting healthier lifestyles.
The issue, she said, lies with retailers selling machines and battery systems deliberately designed to bypass legal restrictions.
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E-bike riders can face prosecution in the same way as drivers for failing to follow traffic rules | PAMs Minns also highlighted the human cost associated with illegal e-bikes, citing several fatal and life-changing incidents.
She referred to a pedestrian killed in Australia after being struck by a modified e-bike, and a 60-year-old woman who died in New York last October after being hit by an e-bike travelling at around 30 miles per hour.
In the UK, a 70-year-old woman in Greater Manchester was left in a coma with life-altering injuries last summer after being struck by an e-bike advertised with a top speed of 47 miles per hour. In 2024, an 86-year-old man from Lancashire died following a collision with an illegal e-bike.
"These are illegal vehicles which can and do kill," Ms Minns told MPs. She described the machines as "illegal, unregistered, untaxed, un-MOT'd monster bikes" and warned that their speed and lack of traceability make them attractive for criminal activity, including robbery, phone theft and drug dealing.
Police have been seizing e-bikes and e-scooters used illegally, which will now be crushed and destroyed
| DERBYSHIRE POLICEThe proposed legislation would give police and Trading Standards officers new powers to seize and destroy non-compliant e-bikes and conversion kits at the point of sale. Retailers found selling illegal products would face clearly defined offences and penalties.
The bill would also require clearer consumer information, addressing concerns that buyers may be misled into believing high-powered e-bikes are legal for use on public roads.
"Online marketplaces and overseas suppliers sell high-powered e-bikes and conversion kits with minimal checks, scant safety information and no clear liability," Ms Minns said.
Drawing comparisons with other dangerous products restricted from general sale, she noted how items such as flick knives, certain fireworks and asbestos-containing materials are already prohibited due to the risks they pose.
Importantly, the bill would hope to preserve access to compliant e-bikes for workers who rely on them for employment, including couriers and delivery riders.
The legislation was granted leave to proceed following a vote in the Commons, with support voiced from across the House. The bill is scheduled for its second reading on February 27, when MPs will debate the proposals in greater detail.