BA welcomes support for Action Plan in Parliamentary Group’s e-bike safety report

BA welcomes support for Action Plan in Parliamentary Group’s e-bike safety report  

The Bicycle Association (BA), which represents the principal manufacturers, distributors and retailers of cycles and e-bikes in the UK, welcomes the report of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling & Walking (APPGCW) on e-bike safety.

We are pleased that the report’s recommendations reflect entirely those already published in the BA “Stop the fires” Action Plan for Government. This Plan is supported by national organisations including the Parliamentary Advisory Council on Transport Safety (PACTS), the Motorcycle Industries Association (MCIA), British Cycling, the Bikeability Trust and the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT).

The BA Action Plan was presented to the APPGWC Inquiry, and it is helpful in our making the case for action to Government that this report now endorses the industry’s original conclusions and recommendations.

The Action Plan, and now this report, clearly identify the root causes of safety issues attributed to e-bikes – which include:

• unsafe products sold via online marketplaces
• demand for these unsafe products driven by the ‘gig economy’ sector
• and a legal loophole which allows non-road-legal vehicles and kits to remain legally on sale.

For all of these issues and more the Action Plan provides detailed, practical policy proposals and urges Government to act on these as an immediate priority.

In contrast, reputable e-bike brands and retailers supply only fully road legal e-bikes (known formally as electrically assisted pedal cycles or EAPCs) which are safety-tested to established international standards.

The UK cycle industry is already working with its network of associated companies, trade bodies and businesses to build on the existing E-bike Positive consumer campaign by introducing a safety mark scheme to help consumers identify these reputable, safe and legal e-bike brands and retailers.  It is encouraging that the APPCWG report also backs the introduction of such a scheme.