Guardian article on ebikes

The gov probably understands them well enough..... they're just still working out how they can tax them.

There's also probably some health & safety quango set up thinking up laws on compulsory helmets, hi viz and protective clothing.

Clearly not, and neither does the Grauniad journo. My ebike will never completely replace my car. It just means i use the car a lot less.

My ebike (+ trailer) replaced the car I used for commuting / errands.

We had four cars - wifes Astra, my Mondeo that I used to commute/run errands with, my Scorpio Cosworth (show car) and Westfield (hobby/track car).

Now we just have the Astra, Cosworth and Westfield and I use(d) the ebike for commuting and errands.

Baker replied to young James that he'd need to see evidence of a modal shift (wotever that may be) from cars to ebikes, before considering cutting ebikers in on a share of the wonga available:

Does that mean he currently sees such evidence of a significant shift from conventional cars to 'lectric ones?

Must be peering down a mightily convoluted telescope, if so...

Just as an aside - I followed a car, yesterday, signwritten as Cornwall's first fully electric Taxi: Wonder how successful that'll be, considering the hills around St. Austell?

Edited October 9, 201312 yr by jackhandy

Does the government really understand e-bikes? | Environment | theguardian.com

Following exchanges and in a letter dated 27th August 2013 Mr Baker after seeking advice from DfT informs me that ebikes fitted with a 250wt motor are class not as bicycles but are "classed as as low power mopeds and need to be registered, taxed and insured. The rider also has to possess the correct licence and wear an approved motorcycle helmet."

Previously I had pointed out to him that Halfords who were a national retailer were flogging e-bikes both in store and online with no advisory warnings and strongly hinted that isn't it time he and his colleagues pulled their finger out and did the obvious.

I've recently bought an e-bike and jolly good it is to. It was advertised and sold to me as an e-bike not a low power moped cos' if it is a low powered moped then I've been mis sold an item and likely have the full weight of the law behind me should I find myself in the dock.

Being a constituent in the parish of St. Norman I have asked for his full support should ever I become a victim of mis-selling.

I await a reply.

PhilX

You don't have a problem Phil, Mr Baker and the DfT hve merely stated the letter of the written law as they have to in answer to such a question.

250 watts is recognised as acceptable for unregistered e-bikes and pedelecs and the DfT have stated as such and directed that. Below are extracts from their statements on this subject:

Summary of Government response to consultation

2.The Department for Transport has considered the responses to this consultation and supports recommendations to harmonise power limits (from 200 Watts to 250 Watts) with similar provisions in place across Europe. This will provide consumers with access to a wider range of electrically assisted cycles.

Extracts from intentions:

The DfT and Police are aware that electric bikes currently sold and used in the UK are fitted with 250W motors, they do not intend to become involved in prosecuting those that sell or ride them. The use of an "Off Road Button" however is strictly forbidden now and is specifically mentioned in documents appertaining to new and existing guidelines.

"Grandfather rights" will apply to all bikes sold before the new regulations come into force. So any changes will not be retrospective.

Therefore your present e-bike will not be the basis of a prosecution if on the road without registration etc, even though it's technically illegal for the moment. There are precedents for such temporary waivers pending intended changes in the law, including in cycling, they are an administrative convenience for an overworked executive.

.

Edited October 9, 201312 yr by flecc

Hi flecc,

I'm not concerned or worried about it.

I get annoyed with comments like Bakers when I read them especially garbage like modal shift.

As compared to our Euro brothers we are miles behind in the world of ebikes. From the sales figures they are clearly successful in Germany and NDL so why wouldn't they be successful here?

It almost feels like they are looking for problems that don't exist.

Probably levy a tax on ebikes to dissuade modal shift from conventional bikes to ebikes.

Any bets?

Phil

I don't see any tax in the offing, firstly that discourages an activity the government want to encourage and secondly that conflicts with EU wide transport law where Europe has the primacy.

I think the rather obstructive attitudes that we come across are just people being typically modern British, negative, congenitally awkward, law obsessed, small c conservative, unwilling to take any risks. Something went very wrong with our formerly entrepreneurial nation during the twentieth century and I doubt our Georgian and Victorian ancestors would even recognise us now.

I think the rather obstructive attitudes that we come across are just people being typically modern British, negative, congenitally awkward, law obsessed, small c conservative, unwilling to take any risks. Something went very wrong with our formerly entrepreneurial nation during the twentieth century and I doubt our Georgian and Victorian ancestors would even recognise us now.

Absolutely!

I don't see any tax in the offing, firstly that discourages an activity the government want to encourage and secondly that conflicts with EU wide transport law where Europe has the primacy.

 

I think the rather obstructive attitudes that we come across are just people being typically modern British, negative, congenitally awkward, law obsessed, small c conservative, unwilling to take any risks. Something went very wrong with our formerly entrepreneurial nation during the twentieth century and I doubt our Georgian and Victorian ancestors would even recognise us now.

Deserves more than a "like" or "+1"

Is there a interweb way of showing a stadium full Mexican wave of approval ??

If not may I coin it

!!!!>--<!!!!>--<!!!!>--<!!!!>--<!!!!>

Something went very wrong with our formerly entrepreneurial nation during the twentieth century and I doubt our Georgian and Victorian ancestors would even recognise us now.

Aye; the risk-takers' genes got killed off in two world wars.