Guardian article on e-bikes and illegal usage "refreshingly balanced", according to the ACT
Posted on in Business News , Cycles News
Cycling retail specialists including the ACT has praised a recent Guardian feature on the topic of e-bikes and the use of illegal and unregulated models, with the piece providing “important details that distinguish safe, quality e-bikes from those that do not ahere to legal UK standards.”
The article explores a variety of case studies and interviews with e-bike users, victims of reckless illegal e-bike usage, and politicians including Labour MP for Leeds North and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking (APPGCW) Fabian Hamilton.
The feature also clearly explains what makes an e-bike road legal in the UK, including having pedals, a motor capped at 250W, and providing assistance only up to 15.5mph, with the piece clarifying that anything beyond this is classified as a motorcycle and subject to licensing, registration, and insurance.
According to the ACT, the Guardian piece succeeds where many mainstream reports fall short by fairly exploring the dangers posed by illegal e-bikes while also recognising the value of safe, certified models.
Jonathan Harrison, Director of the ACT, said: “This is a refreshingly balanced piece of journalism. Far too often, e-bikes are covered in the media with a focus only on danger, without distinguishing between legal, regulated bikes and unsafe, unapproved machines. This article is reasoned, well researched, and provides fair coverage of the issue.”
He added that the E-Bike Positive campaign, which the ACT is a part of, is working to highlight the benefits of e-bikes while ensuring that the industry and retailers commit to safety and legality.
“The E-Bike Positive campaign supports the responsible growth of e-bikes by helping retailers and consumers understand what makes a product safe and legal,” Harrison explained. It also calls for stronger Government action and awareness around the risks of unregulated imports, particularly online, where consumers may not realise they are buying unsafe vehicles.”
The Guardian’s report underscored the scale of the challenge faced by enforcement, with the City of London police having already seized more than 200 illegal e-bikes this year, with some found capable of speeds up to 70mph, while also noting through it’s interviewees that legitimate manufacturers and retailers are also suffering as a result of unsafe and unlawful products.
The ACT stressed that such reports help both the trade and the public by separating legitimate pedal-assist e-bikes – a vital tool for sustainable transport – from the dangerous, unregulated machines flooding the market.
Lee Kidger, owner of The Electric Bike Shop, which has pledged to the E-Bike Positive campaign, welcomed the Guardian’s intervention: “Really pleased to see The Guardian highlight some of the great work being doing to eliminate the use of illegal Electric Bikes (They shouldn't even be called Bikes). It feels like some are clear these are not fit for road use, but others have a serious lack of understanding – which ultimately leads to frustrating.
"The Electric Bike Shop are proud to sign the Association of Cycle Traders pledge to only work on certified Electric Bikes in the United Kingdom. The sooner an official register comes, the better – as currently there is no way of determining legal and illegal product.
“Only by trained professionals can the assumption be made. Some might say its easy to decipher, which it can be, but without any official testing or accreditation it is left to the individual to decide.”
The E-Bike Positive campaign continues to gain support from retailers and industry figures, aiming to protect consumers, encourage responsible trade, and promote e-bikes as a safe and sustainable choice for everyday transport.
You can read the full Guardian article here.
For more information on the E-Bike Positive campaign, click here.