E-bikes and electric motorbikes compared

This page explains the differences between e-bikes, electric mopeds and electric motorbikes as used in the UK.

Executive summary

Electric vehicles with a motor faster than 15 mph require a number plate, driving licence and insurance.
The speed of an e-bike is controlled by pedalling.
Adding a throttle to an e-bike changes the vehicle to be an electric moped.

Identification flowchart

Summary

Vehicle	Speed control	Max speed	Rider requirements	Vehicle requirements	Legal use	Minimum age
e-bike	pedalling	15 mph		motor at most 0.25 kW	roads and cycle paths	14
electric moped	throttle	30 mph	driving licence, helmet and insurance	number plate, motor at most 4 kW	roads	16
electric motorbike	throttle	50 to 60 mph (typical)	driving licence, helmet and insurance	number plate	roads	17
e-scooter 🛴	throttle	15 mph	driving licence	rental only, motor at most 0.5 kW	roads and cycle paths	16

E-bikes

E-bikes generally look like bicycles. They have a thicker frame to hold the battery.
The speed of an e-bikes is controlled by pedalling.
The e-bike motor assists up to 15 mph. Riders may go faster if they pedal very hard.
The power of the e-bike motor is at most 250 W (0.25 kW).
A typical e-bike costs between £700 and £2000.
A typical e-bike weighs around 20 kg.
E-bikes are popular with commuters and cyclists.
The minimum age to ride an e-bike is 14.
E-bikes may be ridden on roads, cycle paths and bridleways.

Modifications to e-bikes

If an e-bike is modified to have a throttle, this makes it an electric moped or motorcycle. The modified vehicle requires a number plate, driving licence and insurance.
If an e-bike is modified to go faster than 15 mph with motor assistance, this makes it an electric moped or motorcycle. The modified vehicle requires a number plate, driving licence and insurance.
If an e-bike is modified to have a motor more powerful than 0.25 kW, this makes it an electric moped or motorcycle. The modified vehicle requires a number plate, driving licence and insurance.

Electric mopeds

Electric mopeds look like petrol mopeds such as Vespa and Lambretta.
The speed of an electric moped is controlled by throttle.
Electric mopeds are speed limited to 30 mph.
Electric mopeds are popular with food delivery drivers.
Electric mopeds must be registered with the DVLA and display a rear number plate.
Electric moped riders must have a driving licence, insurance and wear a helmet.
A typical electric moped costs between £1500 and £3000.
The minimum age to ride an electric moped is 16.

Electric motorbikes (electric motorcycles)

Electric motorbikes look like petrol motorbikes.
The speed of an electric motorbikes is controlled by throttle.
Electric motorbikes have typical top speed between 50 mph and 60 mph.
Typical electric motorbike costs between £3000 and £5000.
The power of a typical electric motorbike motor is between 4 kW and 10 kW.
A typical electric motorbike weights between 50 kg and 100 kg.
Electric motorbikes must be registered with the DVLA and display a rear number plate.
Popular electric motorbike brands include Sur-Ron, Talaria and Super Soco.
Responsible retailers distinguish between road-legal models and other models (eg. without brake lights) ‘for use on private land only’.
Electric motorbike riders must have a driving licence, insurance and wear a helmet.
The minimum age to ride an electric motorbike is 17.

E-scooters

E-scooters look like children’s scooters but are bigger.
The speed of an e-scooter is controlled by throttle.
E-scooters are speed limited to 15 mph.
E-scooters are a popular alternative to cycling.
Rental e-scooters may be used on roads and cycle paths in government-approved trial areas.
A typical 20 minute journey on rental e-scooter costs £5.
It remains against the law to use a private e-scooter in public space. Nevertheless they are popular across the country.
A typical e-scooter costs between £300 and £600.
E-scooter riders must have a driving licence.
The minimum age to ride an e-scooter is 16.

Modifications to e-scooters

If a e-scooter is modified to go faster than 15 mph, the modified vehicle requires a number plate, driving licence and insurance.

Personal thoughts

Electric vehicles are fun and efficient.
Since e-scooters are already so popular with few issues, the government should legalise private e-scooters and regulate them similar to e-bikes.
The 15 mph speed limit for e-bikes and e-scooters is important so that they are safe to use in spaces designed for slower vehicles. Reports of hacks to remove e-scooter speed limits are concerning.
Retailers are disengenous to sell unregistered electric motorbikes ‘for use on private land only’.
30 mph electric mopeds and motorbikes on cycle paths and bridleways designed for slower vehicles are dangerous.
The potential for unregistered motorbikes to be used for crime and anti-social behaviour is concerning. Without number plates, vehicles and riders are unidentifiable to witnesses and CCTV.
A 100 kg motorbike at 45 mph has roughly 50 times the kinetic energy of a 20 kg e-bike at 15 mph. This makes it much more dangerous in collisions.
Untrained and unlicensed motorbike riders are a danger to themselves and the public.
Road safety issues disproportionately affect the poorest and most vulnerable in society who walk and cycle in neighbourhoods poorly designed for walking and cycling. The rich and powerful travel mostly by car, spending little time in public space.
The English word ‘bike’ is ambiguous between bicycle and motorbike. Other languages don’t have this problem. French distinguishes between vélo and moto. German distinguishes between Fahrrad and Motorrad. Spanish distinguishes between bicicleta and moto.
Media must stop incorrectly referring to electric mopeds and motorbikes as e-bikes. They are vastly different in speed, weight and risk. This is why electric mopeds and motorbikes require number plates and a driving licence.

Recommendations to prevent deaths

Unlicensed drivers are a grave danger to everyone in public space, particularly young children.

Police stop and seize vehicles faster than 15 mph without number plates.
Police stop suspected underage and unlicensed drivers.
Police stop mopeds and motorbikes on footpaths and cycle paths.
Courts prosecute adults supplying motor vehicles to underage drivers.
Communities challenge known unlicensed drivers in order to protect local children.

References

gov.uk e-bike rules. In legislation, e-bikes are known as electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs).
gov.uk Electrically assisted pedal cycles information sheet
gov.uk e-scooter trial guidance
gov.uk motorbike and moped categories and licence requirements