PEDALEBIKELicence, insurance and the law.
What makes an electric bike a road-legal EAPC — and what could change that.
Published 2026-10-26 · PEDALEBIKE
The short answer
A legal electric bike in the UK is usually an Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC). You do not need a driving licence, insurance or road tax to ride an EAPC on public roads. You must be old enough to ride it and follow bicycle traffic rules.
What makes it an EAPC?
The motor must not exceed 250W and the electrical assistance must cut out at 15.5 mph. The bike must also have working pedals and comply with the applicable construction rules.
What is not legal on the road
A bike that assists beyond 15.5 mph, has a motor above 250W or can be powered without pedalling may be treated differently. Do not assume a modified or imported electric bike is legal just because it looks like a bicycle.
Riding safely
Legal status does not remove the need for care. Ride predictably, use lights at night, lock the bike securely and follow the Highway Code.
Ride a road-legal e-bike
Choose a PEDALEBIKE model and collect from Ilford.