MCIA welcomes Government Plans to consult on micromobility “in the next year”
The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) welcomes confirmation from Government, following direct engagement with the Association, that it intends to consult in the next year on the future regulation of micromobility. The MCIA says the consultation is a timely opportunity to tackle illegal, high powered electric bikes that are undermining road safety, distorting the regulated market and eroding public confidence in active travel. The PACTS cross sector briefing, finalised this week and sent to Ministers and MPs, supports the case for urgent, coordinated action.
The briefing - produced in partnership with organisations across the transport and active travel sectors, including the MCIA and the Bicycle Association - highlights the growing use of non compliant, high powered electric bikes on pavements, cycleways and other public infrastructure. These vehicles exceed the legal Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC) definition, are often used without registration, insurance, tax or appropriate rider licensing and are capable of speeds comparable to mopeds and motorcycles. Their visual similarity to legitimate e bikes and electric motorcycles creates enforcement challenges and means collisions are likely under reported.
MCIA urges any future consultation and subsequent policy to include:
- Clear type approval and classification for higher powered e bikes.
- Mandatory registration, insurance and identification for vehicles that meet motor vehicle standards.
- Stronger marketplace accountability and enhanced market surveillance of online sales and conversion kits.
- Minimum battery and conversion kit safety standards to reduce fire risk.
- Targeted enforcement resources and national police guidance to tackle unlawful use.
- Measures to address gig economy incentives that reward speed over safety.
Tony Campbell, Chief Executive of the MCIA, said: “We welcome the Government’s commitment to consult. Non-compliant, illegal and often high powered e bikes are distorting the market and undercutting reputable manufacturers and retailers who invest in safety and compliance. We need stronger marketplace accountability, targeted enforcement and policy that removes gig economy incentives to choose unsafe, non compliant alternatives.
“The consultation will be a real chance to set clear rules that protect riders, pedestrians and legitimate businesses. We will continue to engage constructively with the Department for Transport and other departments to develop practical and enforceable measures.”
PACTS briefing highlights concerns around:
- The increasing use of high-powered non-compliant electric bikes in public space
- Risks to pedestrians, other road users, and riders themselves
- Enforcement challenges caused by the visual similarity of illegal vehicles to legitimate e-bikes
- Growing fire risks linked to unsafe batteries and conversion kits
- The role of gig-economy pay structures in encouraging the use of faster, non-compliant vehicles.
- The briefing also calls for stronger market surveillance, improved enforcement coordination, greater accountability for online marketplaces, and clearer public awareness of legal requirements.
The briefing and the PACTS’ original press release can be accessed here.