E-Bike Positive gains momentum as safety concerns highlight need for trusted choices
Posted on in Business News , Cycles News
The growing impact of the E-Bike Positive campaign comes as new evidence highlights the need for consumers to understand the difference between safe, legal e-bikes and illegal e-bikes that can pose serious safety risks.
Since its relaunch in mid-July, E-Bike Positive has gained recognition across the cycling industry, government and national organisations, with coverage in publications including Cycling Weekly, Cycling Industry News, BikeBiz, road.cc and Cycling Electric, as well as mainstream coverage from The Telegraph, GB News and Yahoo News.
The campaign, run by the Bicycle Association and the ACT, helps consumers identify retailers, manufacturers and distributors that have committed to meeting current safety standards, while promoting greater understanding of what constitutes a safe and legal e-bike.
That message has become increasingly important as new figures reveal the scale of problems linked to illegal e-bikes, with BBC Verify reporting that more than 2,000 fires involving non-compliant e-bikes, e-scooters or their batteries were recorded across the UK between 2019 and 2025, resulting in 18 deaths and nearly 700 injuries.
The BBC report also highlighted warnings from the London Fire Brigade about the risks associated with modified or second-hand vehicles, while noting that E-Bike Positive provides consumers with a way to identify trusted distributors, retailers and manufacturers.
Separately, Freedom of Information figures obtained by the Press Association showed that Sussex Police seized 145 illegal e-bikes in 2025, up from 36 the previous year, while the Metropolitan Police seized 2,367 illegal e-bikes in 2025-26.
Legal e-bikes, or electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs), must meet requirements including a maximum motor power of 250 watts and a maximum assisted speed of 15.5mph, whereas many illegal e-bikes seized by police have been modified to travel at much higher speeds.
Jonathan Harrison
Jonathan Harrison, Director of the ACT, said the growing recognition of E-Bike Positive was a positive development for both the industry and consumers. He said: “It’s really encouraging to see E-Bike Positive gaining momentum and being recognised beyond the cycling industry, because the need for clear, trusted information has never been greater.
"With illegal e-bikes and unsafe modifications continuing to make headlines, consumers need a straightforward way to identify businesses and products they can have confidence in, and the E-Bike Positive trust mark helps provide exactly that while recognising the many responsible businesses already doing the right thing.”
Only approved E-bike Positive retailers can display the Trust Mark. If you haven’t signed up yet, join the growing network of retailers and brands committed to best practice, trusted products and safer e-bike retailing across the UK. View the retailer commitment and sign up by clicking here.