Guidance

EAPC standards and legal requirements

Updated 10 December 2024

EAPC classification 

Electrically assisted pedal cycle (EAPC) is the legal term for an e-bike or e-cycle that can be treated the same as a conventional pedal cycle, provided the user is age 14 or over.

There are many products known as ‘e-bikes’ or ‘e-cycles’ available on the market. However, not all of these are classified as EAPCs. 

To be classified as an EAPC under the EAPC regulations^{[footnote 1]}, the cycle must: 

• be fitted with pedals that can propel it 
• have an electric motor with a maximum continuous rated power not exceeding 250 watts 
• cut off electrical assistance when it reaches 15.5 miles per hour (mph)

EAPCs that comply with the regulations do not need to be registered, insured or taxed (Vehicle Excise Duty). 

If an EAPC does not comply with the regulations, it is treated as a motor vehicle under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and the Road Traffic Act 1988.  

Such vehicles need to be registered, insured and taxed as a motor vehicle. The rider will need an appropriate driving licence and will have to wear an approved motorcycle safety helmet. 

Motor vehicles first used after January 2016 will need to be type approved or individually approved before they can be registered.

Check with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) if you think your vehicle was first used before January 2016 and has not been registered.

Power assistance – ‘Twist and Go’

Pedal cycles providing electrical assistance without use of the pedals^{[footnote 2]}, usually called ‘Twist and Go’.

‘Twist and Go’ cycles are classified as EAPCs provided they meet the EAPC regulations.

Under assimilated European law, ‘Twist and Go’ EAPCs placed on the market or entering into service after 1 January 2016 have to meet a range of technical requirements before they can be used on roads.

This is typically established by ‘type approval’ at the manufacturing stage.

If a ‘Twist and Go’ EAPC has not been ‘type approved’, importers and individuals can apply for a Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (MSVA). For MSVA purposes, ‘Twist and Go’ EAPCs fall into the 250W LPM (Low Powered Moped) category.

The requirement for approval is for manufacturers, importers or individuals bringing new vehicles to market or when creating a new ‘Twist and Go’ EAPC.

‘Off road’ mode

Some electric cycles offer a temporary increase in top speed that is often advertised as ‘off road’ mode. When ‘off road’ mode is activated, the vehicle can be propelled by the motor at a speed greater than 15.5 mph.

Vehicles that have this feature do not, in our opinion, comply with the EAPC regulations and are considered motor vehicles.

The Pedal Cycles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1983

These regulations specify the requirements pedal cycles, including EAPCs, must meet when sold for use or used on a public road^{[footnote 3]}. The main requirements cover brakes and information about the vehicle.

Brakes

The brakes must comply with paragraph 4.6.8 of British / European / International standard BS EN ISO 4210-2:2014^{[footnote 4]}, or any equivalent European standard and be maintained in efficient working order.

EAPC marking

EAPCs must be marked with important information either on a plate or on the EAPC itself.

If the EAPC has a plate, it must be fitted securely in a clear and accessible position. The plate must show the:

• manufacturer’s name 
• maximum continuous rated output of the motor
• nominal voltage of the battery 

If the EAPC doesn’t have a plate, it should be visibly and durably marked with the:

• manufacturer’s name 
• maximum continuous rated output of the motor
• maximum speed at which the motor can propel the vehicle in mph or kilometres per hour (kph)

Lights and reflectors

The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations set out the requirements for lights and reflectors^{[footnote 5]}. The requirements for EAPCs are the same as for ordinary pedal cycles.

Lights and reflectors must be fitted to any EAPC used on a public road between sunset and sunrise.

Front and rear lights plus reflectors

A lamp displaying white light must be fitted to the front of the EAPC. It may show a steady light or may flash.

A lamp displaying a red light must be fitted to the rear of the EAPC. It may show a steady light or may flash.

Flashing lights must flash at a steady rate of between 60 and 240 times per minute and have a minimum intensity of 4 candela.

A red reflector must be fitted to the rear of the vehicle.

Pedal reflectors

Amber pedal reflectors must be fitted to the front and rear edges of each pedal unless the cycle was manufactured before 1 October 1985.

Product safety, design and construction requirements

EAPCs that are not type or individually approved might need to comply with the following legislation on design and construction requirements:

• the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, as amended
• the Supply of Machinery Regulations 2008, as amended
• the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016, as amended
• the Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016, as amended

It is the responsibility of a business or manufacturer to understand and comply with the regulations that apply to their products and their role in the supply chain.

You can get advice from:

• Trading Standards Business Assistance and Support Hub
• the Department for Business and Trade

Obtaining the regulations and directives

If you would like a printed copies of the regulations, Statutory Instruments are available to purchase from TSO.

Legal information

This guidance provides general guidance and advice on the legal requirements in Great Britain relating to EAPCs when used on public roads.

For information about EAPCs in Northern Ireland, contact the Department for Infrastructure.

This guidance is a summary of DfT’s understanding of what the law requires. However, ultimately the interpretation of the law is a matter for the courts based on individual facts of any particular case. You are therefore advised to consult the relevant legislation and, if necessary, seek independent advice.

1. The Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations 1983 SI 1983/1168 as amended by the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (Amendment) Regulations 2015 SI 2015/24. ↩

2. ‘Walk assist’ functionality (where the speed doesn’t go above 3.7 mph) is outside the scope of type approval. ↩

3. The Pedal Cycles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1983 SI 1983/1176, as amended by the Pedal Cycles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 SI 2015/474. ↩

4. BS EN ISO 4210-2:2014 Cycles. Safety requirements for bicycles. Requirements for city and trekking, young adult, mountain and racing bicycles. ISBN 978 0 580 78278 7. ↩

5. The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 SI 1989/1796, amended by the Road Vehicle Lighting (Amendment) Regulations 2005 SI 2005/2559. ↩