Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

E-bikes 2026-07-16

Thursday 16 July 2026 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial guidance clarifies that e-bikes exceeding legal limits are treated as motor vehicles.
  • Department for Business and Trade consulted on new product safety regulations for e-bike batteries and conversion kits.
  • Consultation on e-bike regulations closed on 23 June, and expected regulatory changes aim to address safety concerns.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Transport
Context

There is concern about the use of illegal and non-compliant e-bikes on UK roads, posing safety risks.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to help tackle the use of illegal and non-compliant e-bikes. Consumers should be made aware that a conversion may mean that a cycle no longer meets the legal definition of an “electrically assisted pedal cycle”.

Answer from Lilian Greenwood

Illegal e-bikes have no place on our roads. My Department has published guidance making it clear that e-bikes exceeding legal power and speed limits are treated as motor vehicles, requiring registration, tax, and insurance. The police enforce these rules. Consumers should be aware that conversions using e-bike kits may mean a cycle does not meet the legal definition of an “electrically assisted pedal cycle”.

Answered
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Q2 Julie Minns Lab
Transport Business & Trade
Context

The increasing use of illegal e-bikes on streets is causing concern. A shop owner in Carlisle reported incidents involving such bikes, including one where a bike moved uncontrollably through his shop.

Question

I thank the Minister for her response; I know that she shares my concern about the increasing use of illegal e-bikes on our streets. When I visited Palace Cycles in Carlisle, the owner told me that he is increasingly under pressure from people who have illegally modified bikes to do repairs on them. In fact, on one occasion, while he was in discussion with the owner of such a bike, it shot across his shop without anybody being anywhere near it. The bikes are creating risks on our roads and on our high streets. Will the Minister please urge the Department for Business and Trade to use its powers under the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 to ban the sale of these dodgy bike kits?

Answer from Lilian Greenwood

My hon. Friend is a great champion of e-bike safety. The Department for Business and Trade has consulted on new product safety regulations, seeking views on targeted regulation of some products, including e-bike batteries and conversion kits. The consultation closed on 23 June, and DBT expects to respond in the autumn.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request for a ban on sale of dodgy bike kits was not addressed directly; instead, ongoing consultations were referenced.

How: Consultation Process

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