Are Electric Bikes Legal?

Published November 15, 2022

The entire electric [bike/scooter] world is ever-growing. A statistic from 2020 states that 44% of the ‘bike share system’ is electric bikes! This statistic is only going to grow, along with changes to the laws regarding usage of them. But for now, are electric bikes legal in public spaces?

Electric Bikes On Public Land

Yes. Electric bikes are legal in public and on private land. There are some requirements that may make your e-bike illegal, but if you don’t make any alterations to your bike bought from a trusted seller, then there is no reason you should get any kind of fine or into any kind of trouble for the usage of them.

Requirements To Use An Electric Bike

If you are 14 or over, then you are permitted to ride an e-bike. However, these e-bikes must follow the EAPC guidelines, and we will go into next what that means.

To ride an electric bike, you do not need a license of any sort and it doesn’t need to be registered, taxed or insured.

EAPC

Electrically assisted pedal cycles must have pedals that can be used in order to move the bike. That is requirement number one. It also must show either the battery voltage or the maximum speed of the bike, as well as the power output or the manufacturer of the motor.

The electric motor must have a maximum power output of 250W and should not go any faster in moving the bike when travelling 15.5mph or over.

Much like a tricycle, an EAPC can have 3 wheels.

Bikes that meet the EAPC requirements are allowed to ride in public areas in cycle lanes, as well as every other area a standard pedal bike is allowed to ride.

We hope this gave you the answer that you was looking for to your question of are electric bikes legal! Be sure to check out scooter street for all things e-scooter and e-bike, including accessories, helmets and more!