We’ve had our attention brought to a Private Members’ Bill lodged with parliament that seeks to regulate e-bikes. It appears it’s in response to some of the recent media coverage around e-bikes (some of which aren’t actually e-bikes, but are electric motor bikes).
The bill contains provisions to reclassify e-bikes as motorised vehicles. This would would mean that e-bikes would no longer be allowed on bridleways. Effectively, the only legal place to ride them would be trail centres – or your own private land.
The Members’ Bill appears to have been prompted due to constituents who have had close passes with e-bikers. The bills accompanying explanatory notes includes a description of an encounter with ebikers from local florist Orsa Ploy, in which she describes how “These e-bikers came flying past me at high speed as I was walking my dog. Poor little Rollo Piaf was terrified, it was four on one down the narrow lane. Now he’s too scared to walk that route with me any more. They’ve ruined our lives. More regulation is needed.”
Some media reports have also raised fears about fires, however these have been found to happen mostly on unregulated conversion kits or poor quality e-bikes that haven’t undergone the proper testing. Nevertheless, the bill also seeks to require all e-bikes to be sold with a protective fire-proof cover. Quite how that addresses kits that don’t meet existing regulations, we’re not sure. Retailers have opposed the proposals, saying it will cost brands between £27,745 to £36,657 each year to provide.
Hopefully this bill won’t get passed this initial stage, but we’ll keep you posted if it looks like it might make it onto the statute.
Replies (18)
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Rollo Piaf?
There needs to be some better clarification on the differences with these bikes.
I think possibly even some of the people who own what are essentially e-motos don’t realise that they are not e-bicycles and do not enjoy the same freedoms.
Oh hang on. Have I been got?
Hmm, April 1st and the link to the private members bill is a Rick Astley video ?
Pull the other one, its got bells on.
Rollo Piaf……
Well done.
We all love bikes. Even Rick rolls.
Dang, as a grumpy old anti-ebiker (well not quite anti, but time and place) I got quite excited for a moment.
That there Orsa Ploy looks familiar… 😀
There have been some stories on my local (Hampshire) news about ebikes lately … But I’m sure they did a piece on the difference between legal and illegal ebikes (not an April Fool, you’ll be shocked to know!).
Not the best April Fools. 6/10.
Says the only person who fell for it 😜
🤣 Well yeah, true dat, but in my defense, it’s plausible unlike most April Fools stories that actually have an element of ridiculousness about them. We all know the Surron thing will come to a head at some point.
Obviously I was far too reactionary to actually click the link BEFORE commenting, to the supposed Rick Astley legislation which would have given me the tipoff to this all-time-classic hilarious jest.
😊👍
What’s the difference between a comment and a reply?
Rick must be rolling in it 1.6 billion views, is that accurate?
More pics of the dog please, he looks like a cheerful chap
Well played STW. A nice balance of ‘really’? And ‘really’! In the structure, subject, and content. Seems the difference between a comment and a reply is in commenting I can’t quote @kayak23 ‘s ‘reactionary’ and ask whether they really meant that or whether they meant ‘reacted too quickly’. Both are believable.
edit. But as a forum reply I can do all the regular things.
Haha, this was quality. Well done @stwhannah
This comes up as a news story in the Google junk when I swipe for news on my phone! Duh!
Haha – I’ve just ordered an e-bikes so was worried for a couple of minutes – also only reading it on 8 April didn’t help!