Electric assist / electric powered.

[simongt]

In a discussion recently with two cyclists, one asserted that a bike which the electric motor only cuts in whilst the pedals are being used is an 'electric assist' bike. However he also said that if the electric motor can power the bike without pedalling being required, it is therefore an electric moped and should be classed and taxed accordingly.
Correct - ?

 

[classic33]

Yes, under current UK regulations.

 

[newfhouse]

In a discussion recently with two cyclists, one asserted that a bike which the electric motor only cuts in whilst the pedals are being used is an 'electric assist' bike. However he also said that if the electric motor can power the bike without pedalling being required, it is therefore an electric moped and should be classed and taxed accordingly.
Correct - ?

People will be along shortly to argue vociferously about the detail, but to a rough approximation, yes.

 

[simongt]

Then there could be a lot of Uber Eat type couriers who will be having to shell out tax & registration around these parts - !

 

[I like Skol]

Then there could be a lot of Uber Eat type couriers who will be having to shell out tax & registration around these parts - !

Indeed, and I don't understand why there is no enforcement. It is a straightforward rule and is being blatantly flaunted.

 

[classic33]

Then there could be a lot of Uber Eat type couriers who will be having to shell out tax & registration around these parts - !

There were a few being separated from there'stheirs a month ago in Leeds.

 

[cougie uk]

Indeed, and I don't understand why there is no enforcement. It is a straightforward rule and is being blatantly flaunted.

There's tens of thousands of cars on the road without tax so I'm not too surprised there's dodgy ebikes around.

 

[dicko]

There's tens of thousands of cars on the road without tax so I'm not too surprised there's dodgy ebikes around.

What with ANPR they won’t be around for much longer

 

[raleighnut]

No, if the bike was built/converted before the law changed then it is perfectly legal as long as it cannot exceed 15.5 mph under electric power, my trike and Maz's bike fall into this category the law changed on 1st jan. 2016 but any bike purchased or converted before then is still legal.

Any change in the law cannot be applied to vehicles before the changes hence classic cars do not require seatbelts to be fitted etc.

 

[cougie uk]

What with ANPR they won’t be around for much longer

Well they've gone up massively since tax discs went. ANPR has been around a good while now.

 

[Salad Dodger]

But just to throw an extra level of complexity, my ebike is nearly new, assistance cuts out at 15mph, assistance only cuts in whilst I pedal. But.....
It has a "walk alongside" feature whereby it powers itself along at about 2 mph as long as I keep a finger on a button on handlebars. It's a useful feature for helping get the bike up a steep slope, like off the local esplanade.
But there is no way that I would call the bike anything other than an assisted pedal cycle.

 

[figbat]

But just to throw an extra level of complexity, my ebike is nearly new, assistance cuts out at 15mph, assistance only cuts in whilst I pedal. But.....
It has a "walk alongside" feature whereby it powers itself along at about 2 mph as long as I keep a finger on a button on handlebars. It's a useful feature for helping get the bike up a steep slope, like off the local esplanade.
But there is no way that I would call the bike anything other than an assisted pedal cycle.

'Walk assist' is a permitted exception.

 

[simongt]

Indeed, and I don't understand why there is no enforcement. It is a straightforward rule and is being blatantly flaunted.

simple. The authorities pretty much nationwide don't have the personpower or resouces to be able to 'pursue' ( sorry - ! ) such offenders.
Also they would probably just get the proverbial slap-on-the-wrist anyway due to the now excessive amount of admin needed to process the matter.
On-the-spot fines of at least £100 may deter a few though.

 

[Jody]

There's bigger fish to fry in the UK than delivery riders on ebikes.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

There's tens of thousands of cars on the road without tax so I'm not too surprised there's dodgy ebikes around.

Over a million I understand