British Industry Organizations Oppose New EU E-bike Regulation

LONDON, UK - The British BAGB (Bicycle Association of Great Britain) and CTC (Cyclist’ Touring Club) stood up against the revision of e-bike regulation by the European Union. Early December the European Parliament Commission for Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) voted on the review of the type-approval regulations for mopeds and motorcycles which included regulations for electric bikes. Here a majority of the IMCO members voted in favour of allowing pedelecs to be equipped with motors that have an output of more than 250 W. As a result such pedelecs would no longer have to be type-approved and would no longer be classified as mopeds but as bicycles.

In the past two weeks a fierce discussion arose on the website Bikebiz.com between the BAGB and CTC versus the European Twowheel Retailers’ Association (ETRA).

Bikebiz.com published extracts from the letter of Phillip Darnton, executive director of BAGB, to UK transport minister Norman Baker warning his Government that the proposed EU rule changes risk creating danger on the roads. Darnton points out that “the new EU regulation no longer guarantees the distinction between an e-bike and a motorcycle.” The BAGB also worries about road safety as “the current speed of pedal cyclists is already a concern for some road users, a move to larger, faster and heavier electric vehicles will only make the issue worse.” Click here to read the full text of Phillip Darnton’s letter.

Just before Christmas ETRA responded to Phillip Darnton by stating that his letter was “full of inaccuracies and which is overall intellectually unfair.” ETRA also indicates that “as a result of your and your fellow protestors’ position, a pedal assisted bike 25 km/h with 0.3 kW will be subject to technical requirements written for motorcycles.” Click here to read the full text of ETRA’s letter.

A few days later, the British CTC (Cyclist’ Touring Club) joined BAGB’s protest against new EU regulations. On Bikebiz.com the CTC stated that, “changing the EU classification for e-bikes could lead to cycle path losses & helmet compulsion.” The CTC even urged the UK Government to opt out of any EU reclassification of e-bikes. Click here to read the full text of the CTC’s letter.