Julian - 18 / Jan / 2025
Why ebikes ARE safe, and Adrian Chiles is wrong...
If you watched the recent BBC Panorama / Britespark Films program on e-Bikes, you may have some concerns about their safety.
Despite what Adrian Chiles said in this poorly researched, inaccurate "investigation" into e-bikes (and we can't say this loudly enough) - E-BIKES ARE SAFE!
If you watched the recent BBC Panorama / Britespark Films program on e-bikes, you may have some concerns about their safety.
Despite what Adrian Chiles said in this poorly researched, inaccurate "investigation" into e-bikes (and we can't say this loudly enough) - E-BIKES ARE SAFE!
It can seem confusing to those not aware of the dry technical details, but those vehicles zipping past you on your morning commute or hurrying to deliver a tasty Chicken Tikka Masala are not in fact e-bikes, and would be better described as e-mopeds or e-motorbikes.
In the UK, an EAPC (Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle) "is the legal term for an e-bike or e-cycle that can be treated the same as a conventional pedal cycle, provided the user is age 14 or over...fitted with pedals that can propel it, have an electric motor with a maximum continuous rated power not exceeding 250 watts...cut off electrical assistance when it reaches 15.5 miles per hour (mph)"
If an EAPC does not comply with these regulations (i.e. provides assistance above 15.5 mph / has a motor rated above 250 watts) it is treated as a motor vehicle under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and the Road Traffic Act 1988, and needs to be registered, insured and taxed as a motor vehicle. Also, the rider will need an appropriate driving licence and will have to wear an approved motorcycle safety helmet.
Early in the program, we are introduced to Harry Dwyer, an "e-bike collector", and his fleet of electrically powered 2-wheeled machines - NONE OF WHICH ARE (EAPC compliant) E-BIKES!
How do we know this? Because they have throttles (only road legal if type approved) and motors capable of above 250W of continuous assistance!...this makes them (illegal, unregistered, non-type approved) electric motorbikes.
Nowhere in Adrian Chiles' interview with Harry is this distinction made, so viewers are left with the impression that these potentially dangerous, high speed electric motorbike are the same as the (legally compliant, tested, safe) e-bikes sold up and down the country by responsible bicycle shops.
Also glaringly absent is any mention of the positive impacts that active travel by e-bike can provide to society - reduced pollution, traffic congestion, the obvious public/private health benefits and a £4.30 return on every £1 invested! (as acknowledged by the Department for Transport)
source: https://reallygoodebikes.com/
Rest assured, since we opened our doors in 2013, we have only sold (and will only ever sell) safe, legally compliant e-Bikes from respected manufacturers including Tern, Brompton and Velo de Ville.
Equipped with motor systems from Industry leaders such as Bosch or Shimano, not only are the bikes we sell fully road legal, they are thoroughly tested as a complete system with particular regard to battery safety, giving purchasers peace of mind and years of trouble free, safe cycling enjoyment.
It's extremely frustrating to see misinformation like this given air time on the BBC, when we see the benefits from improved cycling infrastructure and a shift to active travel everyday!
So much good work from dedicated Cycle Industry designers / manufacturers, passionate local bike shops and Active Travel ambassadors (such as Sir Chris Boardman) is now at risk from one poorly researched, misleading program.
Tern's commitment to safety: https://www.ternbicycles.com/uk/explore/are-e-bikes-safe
If you have any questions, or would like to see how an e-bike can fit into your life, please don't hesitate to get in touch and we'll be happy to help - we have invited Adrian Chiles for a cup of tea and test ride around the cycle lanes of Mini Holland E17, but have yet to hear a response!
If you would like more information, Mark Sutton from www.cyclingelectric.com/ has written a fantastic in depth response to the misinformation contained with Panorama's "investigation" here: www.cyclingelectric.com/in-depth/deconstructed-the-bbcs-panorama-e-bike-segment-and-its-many-flaws ...quite why Panorama or Britespark Films didn’t approach the team at Cycling Electric (or anyone in the Cycle Industry!) is beyond us....
The Bicycle Association have also responded to the BBC, read their statement here: https://bicycleassociation.org.uk/news/press-release/60/60-BA-complains-to-BBC-about-Panorama-e-bike-misrepresentation
If you wish to make a complaint to the BBC, it's simple and quick via the link below:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact/complaints/make-a-complaint/#/Complaint
