News

Cycle stands tackle pavement parking

February 19, 2024

The most simple ideas are often the best. Faced with routine pavement parking, Wandsworth council is using strategically placed cycle stands to stop lawbreaking drivers in their tracks. And now the London borough's innovative approach to street design is now inspiring local groups around the country. For example, Mill Road 4 People...

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Derestricting e-bikes and UK law

February 9, 2024

There's a thriving market for tech that allows e-bikes to be derestricted. However, once an electric bicycle exceeds the power limits set out in UK regulations, it becomes a motorcycle in the eyes of the law. That means if you're stopped by the police, or are involved in a crash, you can be charged with riding an unlicensed and uninsured...

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Police roadside test uncovers illegal e-bikes

February 8, 2024

Dutch police have unveiled a new roadside device for testing whether e-bikes comply with the law. The mobile rolling road test benches can assess whether e-bikes, speed pedelecs and electric fat bikes comply with the law. Riders of illegal e-bikes risk a €290 fine (almost £250). The tech is being rolled out to address an increasing number...

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Make the most of winter sun with personal solar panels

February 7, 2024

If you live in England, you can expect an average of 2 hours' sunshine per day this month. It might not sound like much, but it's enough to charge your phone using a small set of personal solar panels. Whether you use your mobile to plot routes, run cycling apps or call on our cycle rescue service, it's all for nothing if it runs out of...

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What would your dream bike shed look like?

February 6, 2024

Entries for Shed of the Year close in just under four months. And it got us thinking: What would your dream bike shed look like? What special features would you include? Win a shed alarm The 110dB Yale shed and garage alarm is standalone, wire-free and battery operated which makes it easy to install. Send us your ideas for your ideal bike...

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Can you get insurance for e-scooters?

February 6, 2024

The quick answer is yes. And no. The UK is the last major European economy where e-scooters are still banned to use anywhere except on private land. However, this doesn't stop people buying them, or insurers offering cover (of sorts). For example, one provider has simply updated its cycle insurance policy by shoehorning in a reference to...

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Over 3.7m UK adults have never cycled

February 6, 2024

The government's latest National Travel Attitudes Study makes for grim reading. The summary reads 'only 7% said they had never ridden a bicycle before'. Only 7 per cent? That's a whopping 3.7m adults. Why is the number so high? Unsurprisingly, a majority of respondents (61%) said safer roads would encourage them to cycle more. Thirty-six...

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Brompton battery boost: e-bike kit runs off cordless tool power packs

February 5, 2024

You can create a DIY e-bike and power it with the battery from a power tool - if it's a Brompton. Nano Electric Bikes offer a conversion kit that's compatible with every model of the ubiquitous folder that's ever been made. The company claims theirs is the lightest conversion available. The kit boasts a smooth, quiet hub motor and battery...

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The e-bike powered by cordless tool batteries

February 2, 2024

E-bike batteries are vulnerable to theft and can cost £500 to replace. It's one of the reasons cycle insurance cover makes financial sense. But what about if e-bike batteries were smaller, lighter and cheaper to buy in the first place? What if e-bikes were made compatible with cordless tool batteries? California-based e-bike builders...

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U ok, hun? Why do cars today look so angry?

January 31, 2024

If car design reflects society's mood, we're an extremely bad-tempered bunch. The fashion for aggressive-looking styling is entrenched across every segment of the car and van market, and yet serves no rational purpose. If anything, it exacerbates hostility on our roads. While it might be true that sports cars have always been styled to...

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