The government’s recent e-bike proposals to double the legal wattage of motors to 500W and allow ‘twist and go’ e-bikes with throttle control up to 15.5mph are ‘unnecessary’, ‘risky’, and the ‘wrong approach’, the Bicycle Association (BA) and Association of Cycle Traders (ACT) have said. The Department for Transport (DfT) announced the proposed changes in February, with the rationale that they will make electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs), “a more attractive and viable travel option for more people”.
As an ebike user, I’d rather they legalise e-scooters with similar regulations, especially around battery safety. I had one and loved it for certain journeys, as I love my bike for other journeys. Wish I could legally buy one I can trust.
I sort of agree that cycle infrastructure improvements are much more important than these proposals but I don’t see how you should block these as it’s not exactly like the government needs to spend much to do this, so it’s not reducing the money for infrastructure so why not do both.