07 July 2015
The law covering electric bicycles is being amended to include more kinds.
There are two basic types of electric assisted pedal cycles:
- pedelecs, which have auxiliary motors that will not engage at speeds above 4mph unless the rider is pedalling
- ebikes (also referred to as Twist & Go) which can reach 15mph without being pedalled
Only pedelecs are currently permitted for use as bicycles in Jersey, and the Minister for Transport and Technical Services (TTS) has asked for the law to be amended so that ebikes are also treated as bicycles in Jersey, provided that:
- they have pedals that can be used to propel the bike
- the auxiliary motor cannot propel the bike when it's travelling at more than 15mph
- the motor does not have a continuous rated power of more than 0.25kw
The proposed change will reflect the UK's law.
When bicycles become mopeds
Electrically assisted pedal cycles can be ridden by anyone over 14 years of age without a licence and do not require insurance or vehicle registration.
Electrically assisted pedal cycles that can travel at more than 15mph using their auxiliary electric motor will be considered as low-performance mopeds, conventional mopeds or motorcycles, requiring the rider to wear a helmet, and have a driving licence and insurance.
The Minister for TTS, Deputy Eddie Noel, said “Hopefully it won’t take too long for this amendment to be made to the law which I think will make it easier for people to understand. Electric cycles are continually developing and we will need to keep monitoring the law to make sure it keeps up with the technological changes."
gov.je