No it doesn't, legal e-bikes are not motor vehicles under our road traffic acts, unlike in Ireland where they are.I'm not even sure if a driving ban include's e-cycling, it appears it could well do.
As riding an e-bike doesn't require any sort of licence, you CANNOT be banned from riding one - unless they lock you up (always possible) which might have that effect.Thanks for the geography lesson guys, I never doubted it was in Ireland.
I did say I'm no expert, the point I'm making is, the outcome of the case came as just as much of a shock to the Irish as it would do if it happened here and as far as I can see, theres nothing to say it can't.
The law here only state's maximum penalties for cycling offences[Currently £2500.00 I believe], would a driving ban be considered to be greater than the current maximum penalty?
I'm not even sure if a driving ban include's e-cycling, it appears it could well do.
I smell a grey area. If all ebikes in the UK are illegal, then the debate about motor power, illegal motors etc is academic, we are all riding illegal bikes. So what does that make our electric bikes? Are we all subject to the Road Traffic Regulations or not and need tax, insurance, licence etc? What are we riding?They should be taken through single vehicle type approval before use on the roads. Don't worry though, all e-bikes in Britain are illegal anyway, yes really.
The law clearly states that the bike (not the motor) should be plated by the mnaufacturer with the plate stating motor power in watts, battery voltage and bike weight. The plate should be in a prominent position where it can be easily read. Of course none of them comply as they come from the manufacturer.
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Quite right of course, but meanwhile we rely on the continuing ignorance regarding plating. However, it's probably a temporary situation, since EU law doesn't have the plating provision and the DfT are in the process of incorporating that. Hopefully we'll be rid of the old British EAPC law provision then, just the UK only 14 years minimum age limit left for e-bikes (Road Traffic Act 1988).I smell a grey area. If all ebikes in the UK are illegal, then the debate about motor power, illegal motors etc is academic, we are all riding illegal bikes. So what does that make our electric bikes? Are we all subject to the Road Traffic Regulations or not and need tax, insurance, licence etc? What are we riding?
Yes, it is a peculiar looking thing, isn't it? I haven't a clue who makes it, but I suspect it's a Far Eastern creation.That's similar to the one I see coming up the Eastern Road every evening. I don't like it, it looks too much like a moped and, initially, that's what the brain says it is and you get a wtf! moment that is slightly disturbing. He must get stopped a lot.
Vikki.
Flecc, thanks for the info but I'm still non the wiser. Regardless of where the regulations are headed, as it stands at this moment in time, technically everybody that currently rides an ebike is riding a machine that is illegal to use on the public highway in the UK because nobody has a plate fitted, regardless of pedelec function, motor output, top speed etc?Quite right of course, but meanwhile we rely on the continuing ignorance regarding plating. However, it's probably a temporary situation, since EU law doesn't have the plating provision and the DfT are in the process of incorporating that. Hopefully we'll be rid of the old British EAPC law provision then, just the UK only 14 years minimum age limit left for e-bikes (Road Traffic Act 1988).
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If a man on a mobility scooter that doesn't need a driving licence, a man on a barbie toy car and a cyclist in Dublin can be banned, I wouldn't be too sure about this? Courts appear to have the power to give discretionary driving ban's.No it doesn't, legal e-bikes are not motor vehicles under our road traffic acts, unlike in Ireland where they are.
You cannot lose your licence for an offence while riding a legal e-bike, just as you cannot be banned from riding an e-bike.
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As I said above, magistrates courts do get it wrong at times and wrongly convict. That scooter rider nmay have been wrongly convicted.If a man on a mobility scooter that doesn't need a driving licence, a man on a barbie toy car and a cyclist in Dublin can be banned, I wouldn't be too sure about this? Courts appear to have the power to give discretionary driving ban's.
Yes, that's it, there is no third way. However, the old web advice to e-bikers has been archived by the DfT, so clearly they do not regard it as valid any more, making a defence.Flecc, thanks for the info but I'm still non the wiser. Regardless of where the regulations are headed, as it stands at this moment in time, technically everybody that currently rides an ebike is riding a machine that is illegal to use on the public highway in the UK because nobody has a plate fitted, regardless of pedelec function, motor output, top speed etc?
So to make our bikes legal we either have to have a plate fitted by the manufacturer or register our bikes, wear an approved helmet, buy some tax and insurance and become subject to the road traffic regulations as they stand for motorised vehicles?
Or is there a third way?
some manufactures do comply and fit a makes label fitted...as to the change in the law, the DfT might or might not change the law, if they do my guess is that it will be at least a year away, and then there will be additional time to allowed for importers and dealers to move on existing stock, probable another year.Flecc, thanks for the info but I'm still non the wiser. Regardless of where the regulations are headed, as it stands at this moment in time, technically everybody that currently rides an ebike is riding a machine that is illegal to use on the public highway in the UK because nobody has a plate fitted, regardless of pedelec function, motor output, top speed etc?
So to make our bikes legal we either have to have a plate fitted by the manufacturer or register our bikes, wear an approved helmet, buy some tax and insurance and become subject to the road traffic regulations as they stand for motorised vehicles?
Or is there a third way?
see my post on the first page of this thread...it should explain it for youAt the risk of sounding utterly confused (because I am) - I don't want to be too pedantic about the issue of legality but.....
ebikes in the UK have an exemption from road traffic regs, fine, got that, so it would be very unusual for a magistrate to have an effect on the ebiker's driving license regardless of the law that has been broken.
And so ebikes are actually classed as bicycles regardless of their power output or function, so in effect, anything goes as far as the law is concerned, is that correct? Unless you have a plate fitted and everything else meets the current legislation, you are not in the class of an ebike (does the ebike class exist)?
So a home build high power, throttle only machine is no different to a big brand plateless machine in terms of it's vehicle class and legal status?