EU says no to compulsory e-bike insurance

Electric bicycles in Europe will not require mandatory motor insurance after the European Court of Justice ruled e-bikes (EAPCs) are not motor vehicles.

According to a panel of five judges, e-bikes cannot be considered motor vehicles under EU law because they are not ‘propelled exclusively by means of mechanical power’. As a result, directive 2009/103, which covers civil liability from collisions involving motor vehicles, does not need to be updated.

The case arose after an e-bike rider was killed by a driver in Belgium. The victim’s family brought a civil case, which lead to disagreements over whether or not e-bikes are categorised as motor vehicles.

We agree with the ruling. Requiring bicycles to have insurance – whether they’re e-bikes or not – would be regressive. That’s not to say cyclists don’t benefit from taking out cover. Quite apart from anything else, electric-assist cycles are pricey – even their batteries can cost £500 to replace if pinched.

E-bike insurance

The ETA covers all road-legal electric bicycles as standard. If the output of your electric bicycle does not exceed 250 W/15.5 mph, we’ll cover it under our cycle insurance.

We also include Cycle Rescue as standard. If your e-bike develops a mechanical fault, you can call on our breakdown team 24/7.

Every cycle insurance policy of ours includes the following as standard:

• Theft, accidental damage & vandalism
• E-bike battery theft cover
• Cycle Rescue (breakdown cover for your electric bicycle and you)
• No devaluation of your bike over time
• £2m third party PLUS £20,000 personal accident cover
• Shed and garage storage
• Low standard excess of 5% (£50 minimum)

Read a full list of everything we include as standard.

ebike batteries can cost over £500 to replace – we cover them against theft as standard

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.