Fafrees Mountain Electric Bike
A practical electric bike with 250W motor and range up to 100 miles, best matched to your terrain and how far you ride.
Are Electric Bikes Legal in the UK? (EAPC Law Explained)
UK e-bike law is simpler than it looks once you know the key numbers. This guide explains what counts as a legal electric bike, what does not, and what it means for where you can ride.
The short version
A normal electric bike in the UK is called an EAPC (Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle). If it meets the EAPC rules, the law treats it as a bicycle: no licence, no tax, no insurance and no registration, and you can ride it on roads and cycle paths. If it breaks those rules, it is legally a moped or motorcycle and needs registration, tax, insurance and a licence.
The EAPC rules
To qualify as an EAPC, an electric bike must:
- Have a motor with a maximum continuous rated power of 250W.
- Stop providing assistance once you reach 15.5mph (25km/h) - you can pedal faster, but under your own power.
- Have pedals that can be used to propel it.
- Show the power output or manufacturer, and the motor power and either battery voltage or top assisted speed, marked on the bike.
There is no upper age limit to ride, but you must be at least 14 years old.
Throttles and 'twist-and-go'
An EAPC can have a throttle that helps you up to 6km/h (about 4mph) without pedalling - a walk-assist or start-assist. A throttle that drives the bike faster than that without pedalling is not allowed on an EAPC; such a bike needs type approval and would be classed as a moped or motorcycle. This is the most common way an imported bike falls outside the rules.
What is NOT a legal EAPC
Bikes sold as more powerful or faster - for example higher-wattage motors, speeds above 15.5mph on motor power, or full throttles - are not EAPCs. To use one legally on the road it would need to be registered, taxed and insured, with the rider holding the appropriate licence and wearing a motorcycle helmet, and it could not be used on cycle paths. Many such bikes are only legal on private land with the landowner's permission.
Where you can ride and staying safe
A legal EAPC can use roads, cycle lanes and cycle paths, and the same off-road routes as an ordinary bicycle, such as bridleways. It cannot be ridden on pavements. You are not legally required to wear a helmet on an EAPC, but it is strongly recommended, along with lights after dark. Off-road access rights differ across England, Wales and Scotland, so check local rules.
Our top picks
#1
#2 
Finbike EB1S
A practical electric bike with 250W motor and range up to 50 km, best matched to your terrain and how far you ride.
#3 
Varun Mountain Electric Bike
A practical electric bike with 250W motor and range up to 100 km, best matched to your terrain and how far you ride.
#4 
Touroll U1
A practical electric bike with range up to 65 km, best matched to your terrain and how far you ride.
#5 
Hitway IP54
A practical electric bike with 250W motor and range up to 150 km, best matched to your terrain and how far you ride.
#6 
Varun Folding Electric Bike
A practical electric bike with 250W motor and range up to 70 km, best matched to your terrain and how far you ride.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a licence or insurance for an electric bike in the UK?
No, not for a road-legal EAPC (250W, assist to 15.5mph). It is treated as a bicycle, so no licence, tax, insurance or registration is required. Bikes that exceed those limits are classed as mopeds or motorcycles and do need all of those.
How fast can an electric bike legally go in the UK?
On a legal EAPC the motor must stop assisting at 15.5mph (25km/h). You can pedal faster than that under your own power, but the motor will not help beyond the limit.
What age do you have to be to ride an electric bike in the UK?
You must be at least 14 years old to ride an EAPC. There is no upper age limit.
Are throttle electric bikes legal in the UK?
A throttle is only allowed to assist up to 6km/h (about 4mph) without pedalling, as a walk-assist. A throttle that propels the bike faster without pedalling takes it outside the EAPC rules, making it a moped or motorcycle in law.
Bottom line
Our top pick is the Fafrees Mountain Electric Bike (our score 9.6/10) - A practical electric bike with 250W motor and range up to 100 miles, best matched to your terrain and how far you ride..