Hi
I want to take my 12-yr old to BPW, but he wants to use his e-bike. There is a note on their web site which states:
“To ride an E-bike you must be 14 years of age or older by UK law.”
The Cycling UK web site says:
“the law states you must be 14 years of age or over to ride an e-bike on public roads. However, someone under 14 can ride an e-bike off road.”
The only reference to this I can find is the Road Traffic Act (RTA) which states you must be at least 14 to ride on the road. I queried BPW and they said:
“This law does apply to our park. The park is owned by Natural Resources Wales, and has public bridleways and fire roads, therefore governed by the laws of the highway. In order to ride an E-Bike at the park you must be 14 years old or older.”
I can’t find a definition of what constitues a road under the RTA, but cannot believe it includes bridleways and fireroads, otherwise there’s not much that would consitiute “offroad” if these were excluded.
Does anyone know or understand the legal basis for what BPW are saying?
Many thanks
Ebike at Bike Park Wales for the under-14s
Re: Ebike at Bike Park Wales for the under-14s
Welcome to the forum.
A 'road' is as defined in section 142 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 as any length of highway or of any other road to which the public has access. The Highways Act 1980 includes bridleways as Highways. If there is public access to the fire roads they're included in the definition too.
Off-road as the term is used in the Cycling UK article typically refers to riding on private land with the owners consent. If you own a few acres of field or woodland that don't have public access you can let your 12 year old ride their e-bike around them.
Natural Resources Wales say no U14s on e-bikes at BPW and I don't see any way to mount a legal challenge to their decision.
A 'road' is as defined in section 142 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 as any length of highway or of any other road to which the public has access. The Highways Act 1980 includes bridleways as Highways. If there is public access to the fire roads they're included in the definition too.
Off-road as the term is used in the Cycling UK article typically refers to riding on private land with the owners consent. If you own a few acres of field or woodland that don't have public access you can let your 12 year old ride their e-bike around them.
Natural Resources Wales say no U14s on e-bikes at BPW and I don't see any way to mount a legal challenge to their decision.
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Re: Ebike at Bike Park Wales for the under-14s
Many thanks for the explanation as to the legal basis. It seems ludicrous though. Take that same bridlebath and any child of any age can ride a horse of any size without breaking the law - but an ebike isn't. The reality is, you're only going faster uphill on an ebike. Downhill you can't go any faster than a non-ebike.
Interestingly, the below people seem to think that a bridlepath is ok:
https://www.cyclesprog.co.uk/blog/kids- ... tric-bike/
Interestingly, the below people seem to think that a bridlepath is ok:
https://www.cyclesprog.co.uk/blog/kids- ... tric-bike/
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- Posts: 3
- Joined: 13 Oct 2024, 11:51am
Re: Ebike at Bike Park Wales for the under-14s
... and, sorry I meant to add, that same child of any age can also ride a horse of any size on the road too.
Re: Ebike at Bike Park Wales for the under-14s
From that article:jeremy.lloyd wrote: ↑14 Oct 2024, 11:13am ...
Interestingly, the below people seem to think that a bridlepath is ok:
https://www.cyclesprog.co.uk/blog/kids- ... tric-bike/
"Is it legal for a child to ride an electric bike on a bridleway?
"Yes. If you’re buying an e-bike for your child, then one place that they can ride is on bridleways.
"The Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) who are responsible for policy in respect to bridleways confirmed “Whilst there are no specific laws for e-bikes on bridleways, we hope that people will comply with the Road Traffic Act.”
I don't know why they came to that conclusion from the answer that they quoted. The key point is obviously what the RTA says... see upthread.
Jonathan
Re: Ebike at Bike Park Wales for the under-14s
I'd put money on the reason for Bike Park Wales imposing this restriction having nothing to do with correctly complying with legislation. It's just paranoia about youngsters being let loose on any form of risky activity for which they have some level of responsibility. When doing their risk assessments, someone has been asked the question 'should we put an age limit on eBike use?" and they've done a quick Google search and found some legislation and used it as their standard in the hope of covering their backsides, regardless of whether it was strictly applicable. I fully sympathise with them, because if, god forbid, I was given responsibility for a group of youngsters off-road, I'd lose sleep over the prospect of one of the little darlings breaking their collar bone and me having to face the parents or courts. So rather than argue the toss over whether their application of the law is correct, I'd just accept the inevitability of somewhat arbitrary rules when it comes to kids and, providing you're happy that your 12-yr-old will be safe, then simply do as 'tenbikes' suggests above: fill out the acceptance-of-risk form giving a false date of birth. (From memory, there are no document checks at Bike Park Wales - you just sign the declaration.) I know doing this might feel unsatisfactory, but some questions are best not asked. Bike Park Wales are always going to be overly-cautious whenever a specific risk to kids is assessed.jeremy.lloyd wrote: ↑14 Oct 2024, 11:13am Many thanks for the explanation as to the legal basis. It seems ludicrous though....
Re. eBikes and safety: I agree that a good quality, mega-expensive, mid-drive eMTB should be just as safe as a non-eBike going downhill at a bike park. However, there are theoretical risks, e.g. I have seen my mate loop out whilst trying to do a wheelie with his bike in Turbo mode. Plus there are lots and lots of cheapo wrecks out there, e.g. hub-drive motors with agricultural pedal sensors that give lumpy power delivery that could give you an unwanted boot up the backside whilst manoeuvring near a big drop.
Re: Ebike at Bike Park Wales for the under-14s
You could approach them and contest the rule. It might not be just a misinterpretation of the law, but could be a whole host of things including local authority approval, insurance, etc setting limits.
You could falsify his age, but be prepared for the consequences if he is involved in an injury to someone else.
NB not saying I agree with all this paranoia, it just seems the way things have gone and sadly something to be aware of.
You could falsify his age, but be prepared for the consequences if he is involved in an injury to someone else.
NB not saying I agree with all this paranoia, it just seems the way things have gone and sadly something to be aware of.
Re: Ebike at Bike Park Wales for the under-14s
I think you can google the Mumsn*t bit of the DarkWeb (but best to borrow someone else's device)