Is it legal to use electric bikes like ours on British roads?
Yes. They even have backing from the government.

In response to a question raised in Parliament last September, Transport Minister George Jamieson MP stated on September 15, 2004:

"Electrically assisted pedal cycles complying with the requirements in The Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Construction and Use Regulations 1983 are able to use facilities provided for ordinary bicycles. The Government are committed to encouraging more cycling as a healthy, useful and enjoyable means of travel."

In summary, under the regulations referred to above, an electric bicycle is not considered a motor vehicle and therefore does not require a licence, third-party insurance, road tax, registration plates if:

• The bicycle weighs less than 40kg without its rider. The Sprint weighs about 28kg with battery. The Torq is nearer 24kg.
  
• It cannot exceed 25kph - about 15.5mph - under power. The Sprint's top speed without pedalling is about 15mph. The motor helps you get up to speed from a standing start and stay there - you can use the pedals to exceed 20mph.
  
• It has usable pedals Many electric bikes and scooters come with basic pedals just to keep within the rules and are too heavy to ride. Ours are fully-functioning road bikes with electric motors.
  
• Its motor has a rated output of less than 0.2kW (i.e.200 Watts) or 0.25kW for three-wheeled electric vehicles. The Sprint's motor is a 'strikingly efficient' 200W model.

All our electric bicycles comply with these rules. You will not need to register your bicycle, hold a licence, take out compulsory insurance or pay road tax. However, you must be aged 14 years or over.