Last updated: October 2022
Electric bike usage has exploded over the past 2 years in the UK.
We all know that driving your car to work is becoming increasingly costly. For many who want to avoid traffic, pay less for petrol and stop contributing to pollution, the solution is riding an e-bike.
Let's look at how to get insurance for an e-bike and the specific regulations that govern their use.
Looking to find out more about e-bikes? Have a read of: Beginner's Guide to E-bikes.
Do I need insurance for my electric bike?
A common question we get asked is: do cyclists have to have insurance?
The answer is no, and with e-bikes the answer is no different – there is no legal requirement to have insurance PROVIDED that your e-bike qualifies as an electric bike under current UK law and regulations.
Many people recommend that you do get insurance to protect your e-bike, however.
Why you might need electric bike insurance
There are two reasons why you might need insurance for your e-bike:
- Protection and peace of mind - although it is not a legal requirement to have cycle insurance you might feel exposed without it. With the average e-bike costing around £2,500, it’s important to protect both the monetary value of the bike and its daily value to the rider.
- It's the law - if your e-bike fails to meet the requirements of an electric bike under current UK law and regulations (see below), then it will be classed as a motor-powered vehicle and it will be subject to any associated registration, tax, licensing and insurance to use on the roads.
Do I need a licence?
In short, no, but as you’ll see there are some government regulations to adhere to when owning an e-bike.
The UK’s e-bike regulations
Although you do not need a licence or mandatory insurance to ride an e-bike, there are still certain requirements that must be met for that to be the case. In summary, your e-bike must qualify as an ‘electrically assisted pedal cycle’ (EAPC) under current UK law. You can find out more about the requirements here.
These include:
- Riders must be over the age of 14
- There must be pedals to propel the bike
- The maximum power output must not exceed 250 watts
- The electric motor cannot assist pedalling over 15.5 mph or 25 kph
- The bike must display either the power output or the manufacturer of the motor
- The bike must display the battery’s voltage or the maximum speed of the bike
If you’re purchasing an e-bike through a shop or distributor they should have these regulations engrained into them so you shouldn’t worry yourself too much. However, if you’re looking to purchase an e-bike over the internet, especially from overseas, it’s vital to ensure the bike adheres to the requirements so you don’t land yourself in hot water.
Insuring your e-bike with Pedalsure
We offer comprehensive cover for your e-bike, including cover against theft and accidental damage, for your accessories, and personal cover to protect yourself.
Our specific requirements to think about before you take out a policy are that the bike must be road legal for use in the UK as an ‘electrically assisted pedal cycle’ (EAPC) under current UK law i.e. the requirements set out above.
Electric bikes are a great investment and can help you get back in the saddle after a long time away, finally summit those too-steep climbs or even get to work quicker.
With Pedalsure, the process of getting a policy for an e-bike is just like taking out any other bike policy. Get started today by following our quick and easy three step process to get a quote. To find out more about the specifics of our insurance policies in regards to electric bikes, have a read of our policy documents.
Need something to lock your e-bike bike up with when you’re out and about? You can now get a huge 60% discount on a Diamond-rated rated Hiplok DX D-lock worth £79.99 with any new insurance policy. Yours for just £30. Just one of many ways we protect both you and your bike.
