An exclusive report in the Guardian revealed that ministers are to consult on doubling the legal wattage of e-bike motors in the UK. Starting next week, this consultation is potentially huge news for mountain bikers. Equally concerning is that the Department of Transport is also considering another possible change, whereby e-bikes would be allowed to be powered by a throttle rather than the current ‘pedal assist’ model.
It's unclear where the impetus for these changes comes from (business interests, Brexit “freedoms”?), but it doesn’t take a genius to work out that if it happens, the impact for mountain biking could be massive. Nope, we’re not mad keen on the idea of twist-and-go mini motorbikes becoming classified as e-bikes and ripping up MTB trails either.
