An Isle of Man tour operator has won a legal victory to allow 250w electric bikes assisted up to 15.5mph to the island, bringing the legislation governing e-bikes into line with the rest of Europe.
Richard Cuthbert, of Union Mills, has worked in tourism for 25 years and earlier this month launched the guided tours, rental and sales business using Pedego electric bikes sourced from mainland UK on the back of the law change.
Richard and his partner, Shirley Townsend, applied to the Department of Infrastructure in December 2013, once they realised existing legislation limiting e-bikes to 200w on the Isle of Man would have prevented them from going ahead with their chosen e-bike business. Richard said: “The previous motor restriction rules threatened to scupper our exciting plans, so we contacted the Department of Infrastructure, and the Minister David Cretney, for an inspection to get this restriction changed quickly, otherwise we couldn’t have gone ahead” . He went on to explain that “the 250 watt motor has more power to pull me up the hills and I feel more comfortable and more confident that it can do the job – both for tourists and for people who live on the island.”
A swift resolution was subsequently secured from the Department of Infrastructure to allow more powerful bikes on the island. Richard added: “The Government is always looking for ways to lower the carbon footprint of the island and for new leisure activities that can improve tourism – and electric bikes fit both moulds. They are fairly new to the island and we are delighted that Pedego is helping us to realise our dreams, because they really are something special.”
David Cretney was the Minister of the Department of Infrastructure at the time of the application to amend the legislation. He said: “Tourism is very important to the Isle of Man and I am particularly pleased to welcome this environmentally friendly new business venture, it is an exciting addition to the many leisure and tourism activities we have on the island.
Pedego electric bikes are now available in more than 30 outlets across Europe. In a statement to Pedelecs, Pedego confirmed that “working exclusively with commercially-driven business partners across Europe” was key to its growth strategy. Last year saw the company’s growth recognised in the US; the Orange County business journal selected Pedego as ‘one of the fastest-growing private companies’. Daniel Robinson of Pedego Europe, said: “Pedego is one of the fastest growing electric bicycle companies in the world. This great success story of growth and worldwide recognition is set to continue and there is much more to come from Pedego.”
