Electric Bicycles have been rapidly growing in the UK over the last few years and they are now seen as an excellent choice for transport and leisure. Electric Bicycles are inexpensive to run, green, keep you fit, are perfect commuting or transport options, and are fast & fun for leisure riding. Whether you are cycle commuting, riding to the shops, or keeping fit the electric bicycle can do it all!

With environmental and obesity issues on the rise, electric bicycles are a perfect solution and if you haven’t tried one, they instantly put a huge smile on the face of the rider. Once a product for a mature rider, Electric Bicycles are now being used by all ages as the growth in the market has seen increased availability of bikes, improved technology, strong pricing, and better aesthetics.

HS or S-Pedelecs?

Remember: it’s not an electric bicycle and it's not all about speed either.

1. First, find yourself a bike. You’ll need to make sure it comes with a Certificate of Conformity, and that it conforms to 168/2013/EU regulations; you’ll need the certificate later.
2. Head off to the DVLA and get yourself some forms. You’ll need a V267 (New vehicle import pack) and a V55/4 (Application for a license for a new motor vehicle and declaration for registration). They take about a week to arrive.
3. Complete the V267 & V55/4 with the information from the Certificate of Conformity.
4. Send everything with a cheque for £55* and the original Certificate of Conformity to the DVLA. You’ll need to include a bank statement and/or utility bill, and a copy of your driving license or passport.
5. Wait for your V5C registration document to come back: this takes about two weeks.
6. Check your vehicle tax - it’s exempt, so there’s nothing to pay.
7. Get a standard vehicle number plate and fix it to the rear of your HS or S-Pedelec.
8. Fit indicators.
9. Arrange some insurance - Bikesure quoted £135* third party only and Quoterack quoted £200* fully comprehensive for this bike. No claims bonus on your car does not count.
10. Find yourself a kite-marked motorcycle helmet. An open-face moped helmet will cost from about £30 upwards.

And you’re done! So you’re looking at a process that’s likely to take about a month and cost you at least £200*, on top of what you’ve spent on your bike.

The driving license is another sticking point. If you passed your test before 2001 then you have “grandfather rights” that allow you to ride a moped without any further training, but if you passed after that you’ll need to complete a motorcycle CBT course, and that’ll cost you another £100*.

All the equipment is bike equipment, so how will the MOT work?

Then there’s the MOT: by law, you’ll have to get your HS or S-Pedelec checked every year once it’s three years old. But the MOT regulations are written for petrol mopeds, not e-bikes, so garages may not understand what to do, and Bicycle Shops won’t be able to MOT the HS or S-Pedelec even though they’re the people that will know whether it’s working properly. 

Riding an HS or S-Pedelec is just like riding any other e-bike, really. It’s a bit quicker, and that makes longer journeys a bit more manageable. It’s not all positive though. For a start, there are plenty of places you can’t legally ride this bike. Anything that’s shared use is out of bounds, so the traffic-free paths around here such as the 10,000 plus miles of Sustrans route around the UK. If you’re on the road when there is a cycle lane provided (that you can’t legally use), you’ll be getting it in the neck from drivers too, no doubt. You're legally bound to the speed limit too, so if you roll down the hill to work faster than the 20mph limit and get picked up for it, that's three points on your license.

So consider all of the above as it is your responsibility when purchasing an HS or S-Pedelec in the UK to carry out all of the above legal obligations.

*Jan 2019

E-Bikes are now “cool” to ride and are a real everyday lifestyle choice!

Huge global brands such as Bosch, Shimano, and Yamaha have backed the E-Bike movement and with growing infrastructure and town planning taking place in the UK to encourage cycle use, there can only be more growth in the market.

Drop us a line or call the store to see the E-Bike range, get some good advice and take a test ride!

PLEASE NOTE OUR PROFESSIONALISM:

When we have requested 'chipping' or 'hacking' E-Bikes to allow you to achieve a faster speed than the legal 25km, we would like you to consider the facts below;

First, please note that this affects all other users on trails and roads to the point that if you have an accident causing injury to a third party the legal position for you as a rider of a 'tampered' electric motor will let you fall into all kinds of repercussions effecting both your position with the law and also your insurance becoming invalid.  Let alone how your 'tampering' will affect the third party.

Secondly, if you wish to go faster with an E-Bike this can be done with an 'HS' model, however, you will need to do the following: 

• Ride with a suitable helmet for the model (A moped helmet)
• Pay LICENCE DUTY as a moped
• Have fitted indicators and registration plate
• Register your vehicle
• MOT as a vehicle
• You will not be able to ride on cycle paths or bridleways

Quite honestly, you may as well purchase an E-Moped if speed "for the road" is what you want.

Finally, some links to check out more information,

link to our Government Rules.

link to our Industry Association.

link to advice from Bosch.

THINK BEFORE YOU BUY!