UK ministers consulting on doubling e-bike power limit and allowing throttles

Ministers are meeting today to consult on a proposal to double the legal power output of e-bikes in the UK, the Guardian reports.

The Department for Transport is proposing a rise in output wattage, from 250W to 500W. This has been panned by industry figures, including the Bicycle Association and London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner Will Norman, who say that heavier e-bikes with higher capacity batteries are going to lead to more collisions and a higher fire risk.

In addition to raising the power limit, ministers are also considering allowing a throttle, like a motorbike, which would allow e-bikes to be propelled without turning the pedals.

Although there has been some debate among e-bike users whether the 25kph (15.5mph) speed limit should be raised, there is no suggestion that the speed limit for e-bikes would be increased as part of this proposal.

Read more: How to spot an illegal e-bike

London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner Will Norman took to X (Twitter) to share his concern with the proposal. He wrote:

"Doubling the power of e-bikes? Making e-bikes full throttle like motorbikes? This is madness! Why is government doing this?

"It'll increase risk of collisions and battery fires.

"They really should focus on legislation to sort out dockless e-bike parking."

Read more: 8 e-bike safety tips for beginners: How to stay safe while using an electric bike

The Bicycle Association, the national trade association for the UK cycling industry, has released a statement giving a number of reasons why this proposal was misguided. Among their chief concern is the risk that these changes would lead to moped-like requirements for e-bike riders, and that the changes would make other active travel modes less attractive.

Additionally, they highlight that given that it would take reputable manufacturers some time to adjust to new regulations, the changes would lead to an influx of uncertified, untested e-bikes from overseas. As we've seen already, these uncertified e-bikes come with a higher fire risk. The Bicycle Association add that if the changes are put in place, there must be a transition period of at least three years.

The Bicycle Association urges the government to stick with the existing EAPC (Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle) rules that the UK has inherited from the European Union. The EAPC regulations mirror international regulations in Europe and most of Australia, meaning major bike brands produce their e-bikes to these limits.

Finally, they urge the government to consider any changes in regulation as part of a holistic revision of micromobility policy. Instead of changing the limits for all e-bikes, they suggest that the introduction of a 'Low-speed Zero Emission Vehicle' (LZEV) category, comparable to the 'speed pedelec' regulation in some northern European countries, would be most appropriate.

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However, not all of the industry are against the change. PedalMe, the e-cargo bike delivery service who narrowly escaped administration earlier this year, took to X (Twitter) to support the proposal, writing, "We think this could be a really important and positive change."

The industry are divided, but what do you think? Should e-bikes be more powerful, or is this proposal a recipe for disaster? Let us know in the comments.