Law regarding kids riding electric bikes on the road?
Discussion
Hi all,
As per the title really, what is the legal position regarding children riding electric motorbikes on the public highway and pavements?
I live on one of those modern sprawling housing estates with curvy roads and a number of streets leading off from the main street, and it appears that a couple of the residents have recently bought their children electric bikes to play on, and to use to travel to and from their friends houses a few streets away!
These bikes appear to be rather expensive looking adult size Vespa type bikes that have all the relevant lights on so may be road registered if needs be by the looks of it.
They are also shockingly fast for a 'toy' and seem to easily do 20-30mph.
The children riding them seem to be about 8-10 years old.
Whilst I have no desire at all to be a killjoy, I'm just worried that one day these kids will be taking the racing line round a street corner and plough right into the front of a car coming the other way.
The riders of these bikes aren't wearing helmets or anything.
Another concern is that on several occasions they have narrowly missed visitors cars parked on the pavements, and again, it's only a matter of time...
But... as far as I know electric bikes are just classed as bicycles aren't they? Therefore there isn't a lot that can be done?
Thanks
As per the title really, what is the legal position regarding children riding electric motorbikes on the public highway and pavements?
I live on one of those modern sprawling housing estates with curvy roads and a number of streets leading off from the main street, and it appears that a couple of the residents have recently bought their children electric bikes to play on, and to use to travel to and from their friends houses a few streets away!
These bikes appear to be rather expensive looking adult size Vespa type bikes that have all the relevant lights on so may be road registered if needs be by the looks of it.
They are also shockingly fast for a 'toy' and seem to easily do 20-30mph.
The children riding them seem to be about 8-10 years old.
Whilst I have no desire at all to be a killjoy, I'm just worried that one day these kids will be taking the racing line round a street corner and plough right into the front of a car coming the other way.
The riders of these bikes aren't wearing helmets or anything.
Another concern is that on several occasions they have narrowly missed visitors cars parked on the pavements, and again, it's only a matter of time...
But... as far as I know electric bikes are just classed as bicycles aren't they? Therefore there isn't a lot that can be done?
Thanks
The bikes you described would not be classed as an electric bicycle.
To be legal on the road electric bicycles have to be below 250w, restricted to 15.5 mph, have pedals and a chain like a conventional bike and can only be ridden by over 14s. There are a host of other wee bits as well but thats the main points.
This link may help
http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/content.php?r=185-Dft-Fa...
Have a look at point 3
3. Vehicles outside the requirements of The Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations 1983
Any vehicle outside the scope of The Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations 1983 due to the motor power output, speed up to which power can be provided, weight, or that do not have pedals by means of which the machine can be propelled, are considered to be motor vehicles. They will need to be registered, licensed and taxed, insured and the rider will need an appropriate driving licence and wear a motorcycle safety helmet.
Four wheeled vehicles and vehicles propelled by an internal combustion engine are also considered to be motor vehicles.
Machines resembling a child’s scooter but which are fitted with either an electric motor or an internal combustion engine, have been determined by two High Court judgements to be motor vehicles within the meaning of The Road Traffic Act 1988.
To be legal on the road electric bicycles have to be below 250w, restricted to 15.5 mph, have pedals and a chain like a conventional bike and can only be ridden by over 14s. There are a host of other wee bits as well but thats the main points.
This link may help
http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/content.php?r=185-Dft-Fa...
Have a look at point 3
3. Vehicles outside the requirements of The Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations 1983
Any vehicle outside the scope of The Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations 1983 due to the motor power output, speed up to which power can be provided, weight, or that do not have pedals by means of which the machine can be propelled, are considered to be motor vehicles. They will need to be registered, licensed and taxed, insured and the rider will need an appropriate driving licence and wear a motorcycle safety helmet.
Four wheeled vehicles and vehicles propelled by an internal combustion engine are also considered to be motor vehicles.
Machines resembling a child’s scooter but which are fitted with either an electric motor or an internal combustion engine, have been determined by two High Court judgements to be motor vehicles within the meaning of The Road Traffic Act 1988.
NinjaPower said:
Hi all,
As per the title really, what is the legal position regarding children riding electric motorbikes on the public highway and pavements?
I live on one of those modern sprawling housing estates with curvy roads and a number of streets leading off from the main street, and it appears that a couple of the residents have recently bought their children electric bikes to play on, and to use to travel to and from their friends houses a few streets away!
These bikes appear to be rather expensive looking adult size Vespa type bikes that have all the relevant lights on so may be road registered if needs be by the looks of it.
They are also shockingly fast for a 'toy' and seem to easily do 20-30mph.
The children riding them seem to be about 8-10 years old.
Whilst I have no desire at all to be a killjoy, I'm just worried that one day these kids will be taking the racing line round a street corner and plough right into the front of a car coming the other way.
The riders of these bikes aren't wearing helmets or anything.
Another concern is that on several occasions they have narrowly missed visitors cars parked on the pavements, and again, it's only a matter of time...
But... as far as I know electric bikes are just classed as bicycles aren't they? Therefore there isn't a lot that can be done?
Thanks
Razor Pocket mod scooter? ...you might want to 'revise' your speed estimation if they areAs per the title really, what is the legal position regarding children riding electric motorbikes on the public highway and pavements?
I live on one of those modern sprawling housing estates with curvy roads and a number of streets leading off from the main street, and it appears that a couple of the residents have recently bought their children electric bikes to play on, and to use to travel to and from their friends houses a few streets away!
These bikes appear to be rather expensive looking adult size Vespa type bikes that have all the relevant lights on so may be road registered if needs be by the looks of it.
They are also shockingly fast for a 'toy' and seem to easily do 20-30mph.
The children riding them seem to be about 8-10 years old.
Whilst I have no desire at all to be a killjoy, I'm just worried that one day these kids will be taking the racing line round a street corner and plough right into the front of a car coming the other way.
The riders of these bikes aren't wearing helmets or anything.
Another concern is that on several occasions they have narrowly missed visitors cars parked on the pavements, and again, it's only a matter of time...
But... as far as I know electric bikes are just classed as bicycles aren't they? Therefore there isn't a lot that can be done?
Thanks
...Strictly speaking they probably are illegal, but it's a can of worms as they could easily fall into the 'mobility scooter' catergory.
As for danger? ...about as dangerous as kids riding bikes i would have thought
It's a bit of a problem with the OSET and MECATECHNO Trials Electric Bikes as well. Generally they tend to be bought by Mums and Dads who are into Motorsport so are used in gardens or at Trials Venues where they are covered by Insurance. But some are getting out to the general public who seem to think they are "toys". Even the Police are unsure and they tend to treat them as toys except where they cause a "nuisance". Having said all that they are no faster than a pedal bike and tend to have better brakes and cycle parts.
angrymoby said:
As for danger? ...about as dangerous as kids riding bikes i would have thought
I think the higher speed (hard for a 10 yr old to get up to 30mph on the flat), increased mass (bigger lump of metal) and no helmet would worry me the most.Basically it will hit harder and hurt more.
McHaggis said:
I think the higher speed (hard for a 10 yr old to get up to 30mph on the flat), increased mass (bigger lump of metal) and no helmet would worry me the most.
Basically it will hit harder and hurt more.
Its not that hard, even at 10 years to get up to around 30mph on a push iron.Basically it will hit harder and hurt more.
they wouldn't be mobility scooters as has been suggested and there are only two classes of people allowed to drive mobility scooters within the eyes of the law, disabled people and those engaged in the sale, repair or testing of the scooters, there are issues with age and cat3 mobility scooters as well as there was IIRC an issue with motability and a 12 year old who wanted a Cat 3 powerchair .
so they would be cat A1 or cat P motorcycles and subject to tax, registration, mot, licensing and PPE same as a mpoed or motorbike.
so they would be cat A1 or cat P motorcycles and subject to tax, registration, mot, licensing and PPE same as a mpoed or motorbike.
Also, people are less likely to complain to the police about anti-social behaviour.
"Police, how can I help?"
"I'd to report some kids on motorbikes not making any noise apart from a "vhoooooo" riding across the field...well I think they are but they're so quite I'm not sure. If wasn't awake already I wouldn't have seen them and they'd have got away with not disturbing anyone"
I wonder how many middle aged PH'ers rode illegal bikes in fields and woods when they were kids in he 60's, 70's and 80's?
We were the hoodies and scrotes of the day but we never bothered anyone and never got tugged, apart from when I wheelied past a plod car on my DT125!
"Police, how can I help?"
"I'd to report some kids on motorbikes not making any noise apart from a "vhoooooo" riding across the field...well I think they are but they're so quite I'm not sure. If wasn't awake already I wouldn't have seen them and they'd have got away with not disturbing anyone"
I wonder how many middle aged PH'ers rode illegal bikes in fields and woods when they were kids in he 60's, 70's and 80's?
We were the hoodies and scrotes of the day but we never bothered anyone and never got tugged, apart from when I wheelied past a plod car on my DT125!
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