After all this time, they seem to have fixed it:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrically-assisted-pedal-cycles-eapcs/electrically-assisted-pedal-cycles-eapcs-in-great-britain-information-sheet

At last, only twenty-one and a quarter years too late.

.

It's still not crystal clear though - at least to me anyway.

It doesn't refer specifically to conversions, but my converted bikes don't have a "plate", and the Yosepower motors do not have the maximum speed marked on them, so they don't comply?

The section on throttles is vague. It's obvious that "twist and go" full power throttles are not allowed, but looking at footnote 2 -

"‘Walk assist’ functionality (where the speed doesn’t go above 3.7 mph) is outside the scope of type approval."

I take that to mean that type approval is not needed for such a function but it doesn't state that it is legal to have one on a "normal" EAPC. I have a KT controller set up so that a "walk assist" or "start assist" throttle (i.e without pedalling) is active up to 3.7mph, and thereafter with pedalling up to 15.5mph. I had assumed that this was within legal requirements, but the regulations as detailed will not help me convince a regular copper if stopped?

That section is not defining throttles comprehensively, it only sets out to clarify "twist and go".

That section is not defining throttles comprehensively, it only sets out to clarify "twist and go".

Exactly, so where is there a comprehensive definition of throttles and "walk assist" function?

Exactly, so where is there a comprehensive definition of throttles and "walk assist" function?

It's a typical piece of government writing: only state the change, and leave the reader to piece it all together. Their reasoning is probably to avoid any possibility of mismatching sources leading to confusion, and guarantee instead the confusion of partial information.

 

As far as it goes, footnote 1 identifies the EAPC regulations.

 

Anything not explicitly stated therein has to be understood by inference and logic. I've not gone back and read the regs in full, but on the main throttle question, a throttle all the way up go 25km/h is fine provided it only works whilst pedalling. If not stated in the regs, that is the real world understanding/interpretation of what the regs do say, valid unless/until a suitably high court decides otherwise.

That section is not defining throttles comprehensively, it only sets out to clarify "twist and go".

Correct. That's the way it should be, since throttles are allowed as long as they're not twist and go.

 

In other words twist and go is not allowed whether you do it by lever, twist, button or anything else you can imagine, and throttles, buttons, levers and everything else are allowed as long as they're not twist and go.

 

You guys make it so difficult, when it isn't.

We don't 'make it difficult', we are living examples of the differences that exist between outwardly similar lifeforms.

We don't 'make it difficult', we are living examples of the differences that exist between outwardly similar lifeforms.

Yes indeed, and it is the potential difference in interpretation without a definitive, unambiguous legal statement that concerns me if engaging with a uniformed human life form!

It's still not crystal clear though - at least to me anyway.

It doesn't refer specifically to conversions, but my converted bikes don't have a "plate", and the Yosepower motors do not have the maximum speed marked on them, so they don't comply?

The section on throttles is vague. It's obvious that "twist and go" full power throttles are not allowed, but looking at footnote 2 -

"‘Walk assist’ functionality (where the speed doesn’t go above 3.7 mph) is outside the scope of type approval."

I take that to mean that type approval is not needed for such a function but it doesn't state that it is legal to have one on a "normal" EAPC. I have a KT controller set up so that a "walk assist" or "start assist" throttle (i.e without pedalling) is active up to 3.7mph, and thereafter with pedalling up to 15.5mph. I had assumed that this was within legal requirements, but the regulations as detailed will not help me convince a regular copper if stopped?

 

As long as walk assist is only applied by a fail safe method such as Off if released, it isn't an EAPC problem. Walking with such a vehicle if its weight is below 400 kilos is covered by the Pedestrian Controlled Vehicle regulation, requiring no licence or special permission, and that speed limit is 4mph, slightly faster.

 

Start Assist is permitted since pedalling is applied, as implied by the word assist.

.

We don't 'make it difficult', we are living examples of the differences that exist between outwardly similar lifeforms.

 

I really like the way you put that.

 

I've watched and thought about the odd film I have seen where humans face the problem of how to communicate with an alien life form.

 

The exact same problems manifest themselves sometimes when one human tries to communicate with another. They come up against the same stuff and can't actually understand one another - not because of language, but because of fundamentally different programming of the mind.

 

"Outwardly similar life forms" - Brilliant. I like it.

Yes indeed, and it is the potential difference in interpretation without a definitive, unambiguous legal statement that concerns me if engaging with a uniformed human life form!

My mind's eye always rushes to add another n after the i in that word!

Thanks, I didn't know about the updated regs

As my bike is a conversion done in 2014 ( I have purchase receipts for the bike and the kit), does that mean the twist and go throttle is 'outside of the scope of these regulations' and therefore grudgingly permitted by omission? i.e. Grandfather rights?

 

To be honest the chances of me being stopped in regular riding around here are just about zero. But I'm becoming increasingly concerned about taking the bike on holiday and around towns I don't know.

I think you are under multiple levels of grey!

 

Conversions are, I think nowhere mentioned in regulations, so of uncertain status. One way a court might proceed is to treat the converter as the manufacturer, so you could read the rules from that perspective and see what you think.

 

But the lack of formal mention leaves an open playing field for anything a court or government might want to do, given the need.

 

Suppose a converted bike causes a fire with tens of casualties. Official hands are not tied, and significant change might quickly follow.

For my self build bikes I use a self adhesive printed label with the details or a aluminium engraved trophy label adhered to the motor. For maker/constructor I use my surname in plural with Cycles following it or use motor maker instead, eg Yose power.

Other wise all are labelled 250w continuous power , with 25 km/h and 48v.

Conversions are, I think nowhere mentioned in regulations, so of uncertain status.

 

Conversion status is known and not of uncertain status.

 

As I've explained in my comprehensive post on EAPC law, they were subject to Single Vehicle Approval (SVA), now known as Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA).

 

Among many others this covers Amateur Built Vehicles.

 

This means that to be legal, they should be submitted to an approved vehicle testing station to gain approval. Any and every unsubmitted and unapproved conversion can be treated as illegal by any UK court.

 

Here is the link for advice and a manual:

 

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-approval/individual-vehicle-approval

 

And here is an extract of my posted advice referred to above:

 

Kit Motors

Be aware that hardly any of the above applies to kits or any home construction, the regulations only being for manufactured pedelecs. So both individuals and suppliers operate in a legal vacuum in which all try to supply and/or use as closely conforming to the complete e-bike law as they can, trusting that is acceptable. That has always worked throughout all of Europe and the UK without any mention of a possible prosecution, providing the three main points of the law are adhered to, i.e. 250 watts maximum assist, 15.5 mph maximum assist speed and power only when pedalling.

 

However, I can tell you the legal way of dealing with a kit, athough no-one has ever done it:

 

1) Buy and fit the motor kit.

2) Make an appointment at an approved vehicle testing station, paying the £55 test fee.

3) Most often the purpose of this is to get an SVA (Single Vehicle Approval), entitling it for use as a type approved motor vehicle. However your intention will be to get the inspector to agree that it meets the pedelec requirements so is exempt from being a motor vehicle and is approved as a pedelec.

 

However, if you get and accept SVA approval as well at the same time, as specified earlier in getting legal permission, you will be able to have a fully acting throttle on a post December 2015 pedelec with it still considered a bureaucracy free pedelec, a bonus. I repeat though, no-one to my knowedge has ever done this to create a kit pedelec so it's never been necessary, but it is the DfT specified correct way when creating any motorised vehicle from more than one vehicle or from parts.

 

N.B. The DfT is increasingly referring to SVA as IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval), so you might need this for online linking in future.

Conversion status is known and not of uncertain status.

 

As I've explained in my comprehensive post on EAPC law, they were subject to Single Vehicle Approval (SVA), now known as Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA).

 

Among many others this covers Amateur Built Vehicles.

 

This means that to be legal, they should be submitted to an approved vehicle testing station to gain approval. Any and every unsubmitted and unapproved conversion can be treated as illegal by any UK court.

 

Here is the link for advice and a manual:

 

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-approval/individual-vehicle-approval

 

And here is an extract of my posted advice referred to above:

 

Kit Motors

Be aware that hardly any of the above applies to kits or any home construction, the regulations only being for manufactured pedelecs. So both individuals and suppliers operate in a legal vacuum in which all try to supply and/or use as closely conforming to the complete e-bike law as they can, trusting that is acceptable. That has always worked throughout all of Europe and the UK without any mention of a possible prosecution, providing the three main points of the law are adhered to, i.e. 250 watts maximum assist, 15.5 mph maximum assist speed and power only when pedalling.

 

However, I can tell you the legal way of dealing with a kit, athough no-one has ever done it:

 

1) Buy and fit the motor kit.

2) Make an appointment at an approved vehicle testing station, paying the £55 test fee.

3) Most often the purpose of this is to get an SVA (Single Vehicle Approval), entitling it for use as a type approved motor vehicle. However your intention will be to get the inspector to agree that it meets the pedelec requirements so is exempt from being a motor vehicle and is approved as a pedelec.

 

However, if you get and accept SVA approval as well at the same time, as specified earlier in getting legal permission, you will be able to have a fully acting throttle on a post December 2015 pedelec with it still considered a bureaucracy free pedelec, a bonus. I repeat though, no-one to my knowedge has ever done this to create a kit pedelec so it's never been necessary, but it is the DfT specified correct way when creating any motorised vehicle from more than one vehicle or from parts.

 

N.B. The DfT is increasingly referring to SVA as IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval), so you might need this for online linking in future.

[mention=4]flecc[/mention] to the rescue again!

 

So there is a way: technically every conversion 'should' have SVA/IVA, so far not enforced and highly unlikely to be challenged.

 

I suppose if the government wanted to, they could get tougher on that if future circumstances e.g. growth in numbers provided sufficient justification.

 

Arguably - do you suppose this could ever happen? - a prosecution could result if a very bad outcome was definitively laid at the door of a conversion without SVA?

So there is a way: technically every conversion 'should' have SVA/IVA, so far not enforced and highly unlikely to be challenged.

alternatively, the supplier would issue certificate of conformity.

If the resulting bike does not meet with current regulations on examination, the person issuing the CoC can be fined up to £20,000.

[mention=4]flecc[/mention] to the rescue again!

 

So there is a way: technically every conversion 'should' have SVA/IVA, so far not enforced and highly unlikely to be challenged.

 

I suppose if the government wanted to, they could get tougher on that if future circumstances e.g. growth in numbers provided sufficient justification.

 

Arguably - do you suppose this could ever happen? - a prosecution could result if a very bad outcome was definitively laid at the door of a conversion without SVA?

 

I'm confident that neither the police nor the Crown Prosecution Service would consider it worthwhile, however serious the case. That has been the practice in cases of death involving "electric" bikes to date, preferring the least serious charge aimed at the rider's behaviour rather than the vehicle law.

 

If ever compulsory IVA for kits was being considered, we could jointly promote the idea of approved cycle dealers carrying it out, in the way car dealers already carry out MOTs. I believe that would be acceptable to the authorities, cheaper than multiplying the number of expensive testing stations across the country.

 

One point of legal detail in connection with using the Pedestrian Controlled Vehicle regulation for EAPC walk assist. Strictly speaking it is only correct with a direct drive motor since that law requires to vehicle to stop the moment the drive stops, braking in other words. Unlikely to be enforced for an EAPC though, given the weight and walk speed of an EAPC is so low compared with the 400 kilo weight limit of that regulation.

.

Edited February 6, 20251 yr by flecc

alternatively, the supplier would issue certificate of conformity.

If the resulting bike does not meet with current regulations on examination, the person issuing the CoC can be fined up to £20,000.

 

My guidance post was aimed at amateur builds though, since professional builds by suppliers such as yourself are really a small scale form of manufacturing.

.