A Cumbrian MP has taken the first step to introduce a new law to ban the sale of illegal ebikes.
Julie Minns, who represents Carlisle, introduced a 10-Minute Rule Bill in the House of Commons yesterday.
It allows a backbench MP to make their case for a new bill in a speech lasting up to 10 minutes.
If the MP is successful, the bill is taken to have had its first reading. Bills have to have three readings in the House of Commons, readings in the House of Lords and go to a committee stage before they are given Royal Assent and become law.
She said the proposed legislation followed the seizure of illegal ebikes by Cumbria police as part of Operation Colossus and addressed the mounting problem of ebikes being sold or modified to reach dangerous and unregulated speeds.
The bill does not affect legal, standard ebikes. Lawful ebikes remain a safe, green, and legal mode of transport.
The legislation is specifically targeted at unregulated monster bikes and conversion kits that exceed the legal 15.5mph ebikes are permitted to travel at.
Ms Minns’ bill said: “That leave be given to prohibit the marketing, sale, and supply of electrically assisted pedal cycles that fall outside the class of electrically assisted pedal cycles prescribed under the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations 1983 and of equipment capable of converting a pedal cycle into such a vehicle; and for connected purposes.”
