Kid's & e-bikes - what's the law?

Just say no to them...unless it is for medical reasons, then they should be learning the skills without assistance - similar with flat pedals...make sure the skills are learned properly before using assistance.

Aware I'll get flamed for that, but I reckon learning the skills properly is sensible.

Nothing against eeb but they require slightly different skills (as I've found from coaching several people using them - gear changes don't seem to be considered when the motor can do the work).

@DickBarton I hadn't actually considered it from a skills point of view!

They're illegal for under 14. No difference on or off road as far as I'm aware, it's always illegal which is more a lack of clarity in the lae rather than deliberate I think. Unlike other laws which differentiate roads and private land, ebikes do not.

Obviously that's not that workable but our local coaches etc have adopted the over 14 rule.

Unlike other laws which differentiate roads and private land, ebikes do not.

Eh? A kid can ride a petrol powered moto-x bike or a go cart on private land but but not an ebike?

That is indeed bizarre, but that’s how it reads.

Child turns up for coaching on ebike, your doing tight slaloms or another tricky skill like cornering, ebike and child goes over, breaking childs leg due to the weight. Does your insurance cover such a situation and would you be happy knowing that's a possibility, kids can end end up riding into each other on coaching sessions, heavy ebike into another child isn't gong to end well either. Just say no, kids should be learning on normal bikes.

Another just say no here, gets you out of having to deal with the kid who turns up on a shonky 2000w, 2wheel drive, v brake equipped, home made death trap BSO conversion (have seen this, £100 hardtail with front AND rear wheel motors with a top speed of ‘about 50’ and terrifying acceleration…)

That link above states it's an offence for an under 14 to ride an e-bike on a road. So off road legal

I agree with just no for coaching

Reason I’m asking is that as a coach I’m thinking at some point one of the kids at the club is going to turn up on one. It’d be nice to know if it’s going to be an issue or not.

If it's an EPAC then it's just down to the Q about age and use on FC land, or can it be covered by FC insurance. Off-road it's just an EPAC / a bike, being under 14 isn't a problem. Can't be used on roads by u14s though.

Does it depend on what skills you coach?

My initial thoughts are about whether there's a risk of negative effects if there's a separation by bike type at the early stages of learning.

Personally I think it's more important they gain a love of 2 wheels, the experience overall and learn the basics rather than being concerned over effort levels or whether an e-bike is 'right' or not. It's easy to put kids off things at that age and an e-bike can solve one of the major initial hurdles. Of course if you're coaching XC racing and e-bike is at odds with that, if you're coaching road or trail sense the the motor may be largely irrelevant or perhaps the coaching could include that if they're over 14 - since many kids enjoying bikes then will go on to ride e-bikes of some sort later on. Perhaps this isn't bike Vs e-bike, but pedalling and early independence Vs inclination to car ownership and use later on.

Arguably a kid on an ebike is likely to require coaching more than a kid who isn't on one.

The Road Traffic Act restricts EPAC use to 14 and over. And yes, applies to public trails not just roads. Now… what’s a public trail… that’s a whole discussion… but I’ve seen examples of land owners assuming it applies not just to roadside cyclepaths but also to both RoW and private trails that the public are given access to by concession or charging. If they’re right… that only really leaves riding around your own land, or on land not open to the public but where the owner has given you permission (say, you’re friends with a land owner). Quite restrictive if true. If guiding/coaching I’d be super cautious and just say no to under 14s. If it was my own kid… I’d crack on and claim the law is too confusing if ever challenged.

I hadn't realised 'road' as per the Traffic Regs could cover a bridleway or other ROWs. Pretty sure I read CUK's take on it being they were ok off-road but perhaps it's more blurred.

It’s not at all clear. But it’s traffic regs that allow use of EPAC as if a bike on a bridleway and other highways where a bike is allowed… rather than it being a motor vehicle. CUK absolutely do say that off-road under 14 isn’t against the law… but people actually responsible for publicly accessible trails, be it bridlepaths or built for mountain biking trails, tend to go for it not being… to protect themselves. It really isn’t clear at all. As I’d said, if my kids were young enough, I’d be happy to ride with them on ebikes off road at 12/13… they really aren’t going to get done… but if I was guiding/coaching, selling passes etc, I’d err more on the side of caution in case something goes wrong and after the event I was found to be on the wrong side of what’s allowed.

Just like those using chipped ebikes they may be on dodgy ground. For example Forestry |Commission land is public and you cannot ride a chipped ebike there. Any rights of way would also apply. On real private land, say a farmers field nothing can apply if you have the owners permission.