News

Can Britain catch up? The roadmap exists, and so does public support. What’s missing is the political will to emulate a proven model that’s already 50 years ahead.

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Electric cargo bikes are transforming the way we transport goods and people, offering a clean, quiet, and cost-effective solution for carrying loads too bulky for a conventional bicycle. But with regulations varying across borders and some confusion surrounding UK rules, how can you be sure your cargo e-bike is road legal? Here’s what you need to know.

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A producer from Top Gear emailed us about a decade ago with congratulations on our Guinness world record-winning caravan – a vehicle so dinky it can be towed behind a mobility scooter or bicycle. “We’re sorry we didn’t think of the idea ourselves” they graciously admitted.

News of the little caravan we dubbed the QTvan had travelled far and wide across the world’s media, but it’s interesting that Top Gear in particular took such an interest.

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This torch might look like something straight off an airport runway – think illuminated wands used to marshal planes – but it’s designed for something far more down-to-earth. A versatile tool for cyclists and motorists alike, it combines a standard white torch beam with a 360-degree LED capable of emitting a steady red glow or a flashing light to warn other road users in an emergency.

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The rollout of a default 20mph speed limit across residential roads in Wales is already showing promise. Early figures revealed a significant reduction in road casualties, with serious injuries and fatalities down by 23% in the first three months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. When minor injuries are included, the drop rises to 26%.

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Potholes are a defining feature of UK roads, with an estimated one million scarring the network at any given time. For cyclists, they are a genuine hazard capable of causing damage and serious injury.

Under the Highways Act 1980, local authorities are legally required to maintain the roads to a safe standard. If a cyclist is injured or their bike damaged due to a pothole, councils can be held accountable. However, the burden of proof falls on the victim to demonstrate that the authority failed in its duty to inspect or repair the road.

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Under UK law, mobility scooters are classified as “invalid carriages” under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970. Invalid carriages are not considered motor vehicles in the same way as cars or motorcycles. As a result, they are not subject to many of the same legal requirements, such as licensing or insurance.

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When the days are short and temperatures low, the last place anyone wants to be is stranded at the roadside. Yet, winter takes its toll on vehicles so breakdowns become more likely. Analysis of over one million breakdown cover policies reveals the top ten reasons for vehicle breakdowns - and highlights the need for reliable roadside assistance.

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For those of us who crave a little vibrancy at this otherwise grey and dreary time of year, Knog’s colourful Frog lights provide the perfect pick-me-up. Among the cheerful range, the ‘Tequila Sunrise’ design particularly stands out, offering a burst of pink to brighten even the gloomiest commute.

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In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, e-bike manufacturer Cowboy stands out as a beacon of ethical responsibility. Founded in 2016 by Belgian entrepreneur Adrien Roose, Cowboy has been making waves in the e-bike world from the start. The company launched its first bike to critical acclaim, winning the Eurobike Award in the same year. Subsequent years brought a Red Dot Bicycle Design Award in 2018 and the prestigious Red Dot Best of the Best Award for product design in both 2019 and 2021.

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