Cycle traders back MPs' call to ban dangerous illegal e-bikes
Posted on in Business News , Cycles News
The ACT has welcomed the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking's report "Unregulated and Unsafe: The Threat of Illegal E-Bikes", which calls for urgent government action to tackle the sale of dangerous and illegal electric bikes.
The ACT said that it fully supports the report's recommendations, which mirror those already put forward by the cycling industry, including the Bicycle Association's "Stop the Fires" Action Plan for Government.
The parliamentary inquiry identified serious safety concerns around illegal e-bikes and conversion kits sold primarily through online marketplaces, which pose significant fire risks and road safety hazards. These products are undermining public confidence in legitimate e-bikes and damaging the reputation of responsible cycle retailers.
Jonathan Harrison, Director of the ACT, said: "This report highlights a critical distinction that we've been making for some time – there's a world of difference between the safe, road-legal e-bikes sold by our members and the dangerous, illegal products flooding in through unregulated online channels.
"Our members are reputable cycle retailers who take full responsibility for the safety and legality of the products they supply. They provide proper advice, after-sales support, and only stock road legal e-bikes which are safety-tested and from trusted suppliers. This is in stark contrast to online marketplace sellers who are importing cheap, dangerous products with no regard for safety or legality.
"We strongly support the report's call for online marketplaces to be held accountable for what they allow to be sold through their platforms. The current situation where illegal e-bikes can be easily purchased with the flimsy excuse they're for 'off-road use only' must end," he said.
The ACT particularly welcomes the report's recommendation for a safety mark scheme to help consumers identify safe, legal e-bikes – something the cycling industry has been working towards through initiatives like the E-bike Positive campaign.
The association also supports calls for delivery companies to take greater responsibility for ensuring their riders use legal, safe equipment, and for stronger enforcement powers to remove dangerous products from both online and physical marketplaces.
"The legitimate cycling industry is already working hard to address this crisis," Mr Harrison added. "We need government to match our efforts with proper regulation and enforcement. The safety of cyclists and the public depends on it, as does the future of the e-bike market in the UK."
The ACT represents independent cycle retailers across the UK and works to promote best practice in the cycling industry.