Update on N.I. e-bike regs.

TedG

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 8, 2017
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Lisburn Co Antrim Northern Ireland UK
Jim E
No need to be sorry - we are glad of any support we can get.
I rode motorbikes since 1964 (Bonnie's up right over the years to 851 Ducati's) and I drove Class One all over G.B since 1971. I am now retired from both activities and need neither licence, just wanted a simple retirement with the aid of some pedal assistance just like I had in England (without hassle) for the last 12 of our 33 years there.
I have some unpleasant health issues now due to overwork so I can no longer ride a conventional bicycle.
As is well documented here my fear and concerns are not because of the PSNI as we had a face to face with Rosie Leech who assured us that she wasn't interested in pensioners on ebikes but she had to uphold the idiotic law whether she agreed with it or not.
My concerns are from possible litigation resulting from a simple accident and the PSNI having to prosecute, albeit lightly but that would open the door to compensation of who knows how much as it would depend on the ability of a solicitor to milk an event of a bloke on an illegal bicycle hurting a child or an elderly person during a simple and innocent accident.
We have been patient and on fine days like this we are both bordering on angry at the apparent lack of sensible action but to say to H*** with it, we are off out would mean that the last 3 years idle would have been wasted.
We have to stick to our principles as our interest is merely leisure as opposed to those on the forum who need their bicycles for work and are ignoring the "law".
As always I wish them luck and may they ride in peace and safety - we however have chosen to wait.
Ted.
 
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TedG

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 8, 2017
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Lisburn Co Antrim Northern Ireland UK

Ted, heard that committee meeting as well, was mentioned at the end there would be a discussion with the psni first, hopefully this new ChiefCon will be as supportive as the last -

suppose an email wouldn't be out of place.
Yes perhaps a bit of research. We did however as you know meet Rosie Leech the Chief of Roads Policing a while back and she assured us that she wasn't interested in an old scroat on an electric bike but she had to uphold a current law. She was very well up on the issue even before we met her and I am hopeful that she may have some input in this case. I do have her email address and I will mail her as a start.
 
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TedG

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 8, 2017
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Lisburn Co Antrim Northern Ireland UK
Mine is done and sent. I have gone to great lengths to reiterate to her that these are NOT self propelled vehicles, they require the rider to pedal in order to gain some assistance.
I have said that the PSNI are about to be involved apparently so any help she can give us would be welcome.
Google her and you will find that she is a delightful lady with the best interests of legal road users at heart. She has a thankless job but has devoted her life to it.
Anyone else who would care to join me the address of the Chief of Roads Policing is

rosemary.leech@psni.pnn.police.uk
 
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sjpt

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 8, 2018
3,832
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Winchester
I can see why (some) people want devolved power, but it strikes me as totally absurd that issues like this ever got devolved in the first place. Just creating extra work that nobody has time to do properly.

(Sorry that doesn't actually forward the discussion ... good luck with getting it sorted.)
 
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Jim e

Finding my (electric) wheels
Feb 4, 2020
21
16
Mine is done and sent. I have gone to great lengths to reiterate to her that these are NOT self propelled vehicles, they require the rider to pedal in order to gain some assistance.
I have said that the PSNI are about to be involved apparently so any help she can give us would be welcome.
Google her and you will find that she is a delightful lady with the best interests of legal road users at heart. She has a thankless job but has devoted her life to it.
Anyone else who would care to join me the address of the Chief of Roads Policing is

rosemary.leech@psni.pnn.police.uk
Hi ther
I just sent of my email as well to rose Fingers crossed guys
 
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TedG

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 8, 2017
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Lisburn Co Antrim Northern Ireland UK
Right.
I have just heard loud whispers that pedelecs are registered in the UK.
I never had my e-bike registered when I lived in Manchester
This may be a stupid question but can someone over there confirm that pedelecs do NOT have to be registered in any way in England, Scotland or Wales.
Let me know please.
.
 

Wicky

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 12, 2014
2,823
4,011
Colchester, Essex
www.jhepburn.co.uk
Right.
I have just heard loud whispers that pedelecs are registered in the UK.
I never had my e-bike registered when I lived in Manchester
This may be a stupid question but can someone over there confirm that pedelecs do NOT have to be registered in any way in England, Scotland or Wales.
Let me know please.
.
In mainland UK - Not unless they are s-pedelecs / e-scooter mopeds.
 
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flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,197
30,602
Right.
I have just heard loud whispers that pedelecs are registered in the UK.
I never had my e-bike registered when I lived in Manchester
This may be a stupid question but can someone over there confirm that pedelecs do NOT have to be registered in any way in England, Scotland or Wales.
Let me know please.
.
Legal pedelecs are emphatically exempted from registration in the mainland UK since they are bicycles, not motor vehicles in law.

Even those that have a throttle after type approval in a DfT tweak do not have to be registered.
.
 
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TedG

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 8, 2017
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Lisburn Co Antrim Northern Ireland UK
Thank you both.
I was beginning to doubt my own knowledge / experience and felt that I was going slightly mad.
The self appointed expert from who I got this "false" information is going to get a reply but it won't be pleasant and not for publication.
I know I am getting a week older for every day I live but my confidence, for many reasons is on the floor these days hence my question.
Thanks
Ted.
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,197
30,602
The self appointed expert from who I got this "false" information is going to get a reply but it won't be pleasant and not for publication.
It may not be entirely his fault Ted. Unfortunately the EU committees that have been discussing light electric two wheelers in the L1e-A and L1e-B classes also discuss pedelecs at the same time with regard to some issues like throttles.

So their utterances can be confusing at times, and the DfT statements have also not helped in some respects.
.
 
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TedG

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 8, 2017
466
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Lisburn Co Antrim Northern Ireland UK
I had it ready to go when I knew he was at his desk.
After your explanation I will reconsider and give him the benefit of the doubt.
However in the future I will monitor him and his opinions carefully because that is what they could be - just opinions.
It would be fair to say that I am losing faith in myself so perhaps better to let this one go.
Many thanks as always for your valuable input.
 

Wicky

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 12, 2014
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Colchester, Essex
www.jhepburn.co.uk
Has anyone contacted Nichola Mallon asking her to clarify what precisely her aims are in regards to legislation / registration?

“While it is currently legal to ride electric bikes here, this new legislation is required to simplify the requirements around registration, licensing and insurance. My department has drafted legislation and I have asked officials to urgently review this work so I can put amended legislation before the Assembly"
 

TedG

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 8, 2017
466
494
74
Lisburn Co Antrim Northern Ireland UK
Has anyone contacted Nichola Mallon asking her to clarify what precisely her aims are in regards to legislation / registration?

“While it is currently legal to ride electric bikes here, this new legislation is required to simplify the requirements around registration, licensing and insurance. My department has drafted legislation and I have asked officials to urgently review this work so I can put amended legislation before the Assembly"
The last time I emailed her I was told to mail another address
Brian Burns | DfI Private Office
Email: brian.burns@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
I did and received a vague reply that the "issue was being considered and a reply issued shortly"
I have not received the reply so I am not convinced that she wants any more about e-bikes as she is too busy working out how she managed to drive in a bus lane.
She clearly states that it is currently legal to ride electric bikes here - well it isn't.
Personally from watching her and listening to her I believe she is being fed information, hopefully by a knowledgeable person. I and several others here feel that she has some sort of agenda (not sure what yet) but it is going to be very hard work to pass it unless it is exactly as you have over there in another part of the UK.
 

tommie

Esteemed Pedelecer
Mar 13, 2013
1,760
600
Co. Down, N. Ireland, U.K.
She clearly states that it is currently legal to ride electric bikes here - well it isn't.
Personally from watching her and listening to her I believe she is being fed information, hopefully by a knowledgeable person.
I think you`re spot on there Ted, i would confidently bet she is taking advice from Sustrans in Belfast https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/projects/2019/northern-ireland/policy-and-influencing-in-northern-ireland/
she made her announcement yesterday alongside one of their top men Stephen Martin.
In fact i phoned them a couple of years ago (they`re in Adelaide St) and at that time i was told they had in place some sort of `policy document` to be offered to the Assembly centering on the ebike issue.

I tried for that chap Martin today but he was `out of the office` and was assured he will `get back to me`

Lets see!
 

Jim e

Finding my (electric) wheels
Feb 4, 2020
21
16
Hi guys
I got a reply back from psni rose leech
It says psni will be supporting the regularisation of ebikes Similar to that in gb
Don’t like the similar bit but that’s maybe me going to deep as usual thanks guys
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,197
30,602
Hi guys
I got a reply back from psni rose leech
It says psni will be supporting the regularisation of ebikes Similar to that in gb
Don’t like the similar bit but that’s maybe me going to deep as usual thanks guys
I wouldn't worry too much about that Jim, the DfT have done an odd thing that Rose may well object to as unnecessary complexity.

They've made a local ruling that a pedelec with a fully acting throttle they will consider as a legal pedelec if it's been taken through Single Vehicle Approval, a form of motor vehicle type approval. Their idea behind that is it then appears to conform to the EU derived law, though it doesn't in fact since such a pedelec would be illegal if taken into the mainland EU.

I'm sure you can do without inheriting that from us!
.
 
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TedG

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 8, 2017
466
494
74
Lisburn Co Antrim Northern Ireland UK
Dear …...

Thank you for your further email in which you have raised concern about a response from the Minister for Infrastructure Ms Nichola Mallon MLA in response to an Assembly Question on the subject of electrically assisted pedal-cycle licensing requirements in Northern Ireland.

I note that further to this response in the Assembly, the Minister has issued a statement in which she confirms her intention to bring forward “to encourage the use of electric bikes”. In her statement, Ms Mallon goes on to say that “while it is currently legal to ride electric bikes here, this new legislation is required to simplify the requirements around registration, licensing and insurance.” According to Ms Mallon in her statement, she asserts that “my Department has drafted legislation and I have asked Officials to urgently review this work so that I can put amended legislation before the Assembly as soon as possible and deliver life-enhancing opportunities for our citizens and our communities”.

In light of this statement by the Minister and the ongoing concerns you have raised in your correspondence, I will certainly be encouraging my colleagues who are MLAs in the Assembly to closely scrutinise this proposed legislation to ensure that any proposals on registration and licensing are in line with what pertains in other parts of the United Kingdom and do not impose an onerous burden on the owners of e-bikes in this regard.

With best wishes,

Yours sincerely


RT HON SIR JEFFREY DONALDSON MP

Lagan Valley
 
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Jim e

Finding my (electric) wheels
Feb 4, 2020
21
16
Dear …...

Thank you for your further email in which you have raised concern about a response from the Minister for Infrastructure Ms Nichola Mallon MLA in response to an Assembly Question on the subject of electrically assisted pedal-cycle licensing requirements in Northern Ireland.

I note that further to this response in the Assembly, the Minister has issued a statement in which she confirms her intention to bring forward “to encourage the use of electric bikes”. In her statement, Ms Mallon goes on to say that “while it is currently legal to ride electric bikes here, this new legislation is required to simplify the requirements around registration, licensing and insurance.” According to Ms Mallon in her statement, she asserts that “my Department has drafted legislation and I have asked Officials to urgently review this work so that I can put amended legislation before the Assembly as soon as possible and deliver life-enhancing opportunities for our citizens and our communities”.

In light of this statement by the Minister and the ongoing concerns you have raised in your correspondence, I will certainly be encouraging my colleagues who are MLAs in the Assembly to closely scrutinise this proposed legislation to ensure that any proposals on registration and licensing are in line with what pertains in other parts of the United Kingdom and do not impose an onerous burden on the owners of e-bikes in this regard.

With best wishes,

Yours sincerely


RT HON SIR JEFFREY DONALDSON MP

Lagan Valley
That’s looking good ted ,I am looking forward to getting my ebike out an legal on the road cheers
 
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