If you've ever thought about letting your child ride an electric bike, you've probably had questions. And fair enough, the rules in the UK aren’t always clear unless you go digging. Let's break it down simply, without the legal jargon.
Here’s the bottom line. Only individuals aged 14 and above are allowed to legally use electric bikes on public roads or cycle routes across the UK. That’s the legal age for electric bike UK riders, and there’s no getting around it. It doesn’t matter if you’re riding to school or just out with friends. If you're not 14 yet, it’s not allowed.
This one’s asked a lot. So to be absolutely clear, can a 12 year old ride an electric bike in UK public areas? No. Not on roads. Not on cycle tracks. It doesn’t matter how safe the bike feels. The law says no under-14s in public spaces.
It’s the same rule. Are 13-year-olds permitted to use electric bikes on UK public roads? Still a no. Even if they’re nearly 14 or a careful rider. Unless they’re on private land with the owner’s full permission, it’s not allowed under current UK rules.
A garden, a field, or a private drive all count. Children under 14 can use electric bikes on private property, provided the owner agrees to it. That doesn’t include public parks, paths or any shared space where the public has access.
It depends what you mean by kids. If they’re 14 or older, yes, they can ride legally as long as the bike follows the safety rules. Anyone under the age of 14 is not permitted to ride publicly and may only use an e-bike on privately owned land with approval. So are electric bikes legal for kids UK wide? Only from age 14 in public.
To be legal on the road, an electric bike must follow EAPC guidelines. That means the rider has to pedal for the motor to work. It can’t assist beyond 15.5 mph and the motor must stay under 250 watts. So if you're asking what wattage electric bike is legal in the UK, the answer is 250W or less.
These bikes are often called twist and go models. They don’t need pedalling to move, so they don’t count as standard e-bikes. Most of them are treated like mopeds and need tax, insurance and a licence. Not suitable for kids under any legal age limit.
If you’re riding a legal EAPC model, then no, you don’t need a licence. There’s no road tax and no MOT either. But if the bike has a throttle, goes over the speed limit or exceeds the wattage, then yes, a licence and insurance are both required.
The motor must stop helping once you hit 15.5 miles per hour. You can go faster by pedalling, but the bike won’t assist beyond that. In the UK, that speed threshold is part of what officially defines an e-bike as road legal under EAPC rules.
No, not unless the pavement is clearly marked as a cycle route. This applies to electric bikes and regular pedal bikes. Riding on pavements without signage is not allowed, no matter your age or experience level.
People often confuse scooters with e-bikes. The laws are not the same. Private electric scooters are illegal on UK public roads, cycle lanes and pavements. They are only allowed in approved trial zones using rental scooters.
Using a non-compliant e-bike in public can lead to serious trouble. You could be fined up to £300. You might get six penalty points on your licence. The bike can be seized. The electric bike age limit UK laws are strict and enforced for good reason.
If the bike is legal under EAPC rules, then no insurance is needed. But some riders still get third-party cover in case of accidents or damage. It’s not compulsory, but it’s something to think about, especially for young riders just starting out.
All the electric bikes we offer at Yasyas.com are fully legal and road-safe for UK riders. Whether you're 14 or well beyond, we’ve got the right model for you. We make it easy for families to find legal e-bikes that suit their needs and offer peace of mind on the road.
If you’re not sure which one suits your needs or your child’s age, we’re happy to help. Safe, fun and legal. That’s how we do things here at Yasyas.
