Derestriction, ‘off-road’ switches or modes and dongles
The Department of Transport say that electric bikes fitted with off-road switches or modes, that enable a bike’s motor to continue assisting to speeds beyond 15.5mph, do not comply with UK EAPC law. The term ‘off-road’ suggests that these bikes can be ridden on parkland, forests or other places away from main roads, which isn’t accurate. E-bikes with increased motor power (continuous rated power above 250w) or increased speed (with motor assistance not cutting out at 15.5mph) cannot be used legally as bicycles anywhere on land accessible by the public; when riding on private land you would need permission from the landowner.
https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/electric-bike-guides/uk-electric-bike-law/
so most diy kits have modes that allow you to change the settings where as on my bike this is not a option and why i use a dongle as got no other choice.
it is a point of law but it has never been enforced and these days with scooters skateboards with throttles ect it is now pointless.
i could rip out my controller in the motor and use a 3rd party one but even set at uk law i would still be able to now change the settings and up the amps and dump the dongle.
now go on ebay and try find any diy kit that you cant change anything i doubt you will find any these days but they sell them none the less and gets through customs so they dont give a crap either.
nearly all the riders on just eat use high powerd hub motors round here like 3kw+ and if i order a big mac it comes on one of those lol.
m8 has also had a bafang hd for commuting to work on for the last 2 years with it turned up to the max and that thing can pi$$ all over my bike speed wise and never had a problem.
just dont kill anybody but the first test case was this one and even i could not believe that outcome.
Death was believed to be first in UK caused by collision with electrical bicycle
www.independent.co.uk