New e-Bike Conversion Kit Guidance Clarifies Safety Rules
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has published new e-bike conversion kit guidance.
The new e-bike conversion kit guidance is the latest step in addressing the risks of fire linked to unsafe e-bikes and associated products
The guidance, which makes clear how existing product safety rules apply to e-bike conversion kits, is designed to give greater certainty to businesses manufacturing and supplying e-bike conversion kits in the UK. It sets out key safety issues that responsible businesses should consider when they make these products available, to demonstrate conversion kits can be used safely by consumers.
While it does not create any new legal obligations, the guidance will support business to comply with the requirements in the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (the Regulations) and will support enforcing authorities to identify and take action for any e-bike conversion kits that do not meet the Regulations.
All variations of e-bike conversion kits that include an electric motor are in scope of this guidance, regardless of whether a battery and/or charger are included as components. It reminds businesses of the essential requirements that must be met to supply a safe product under the Regulations, including having necessary product information and instructions for users and affixing product marking.
Conversion kits that enable riders to travel at speeds above the legal road limits set in Department for Transport legislation (over 15.5mph) are also in scope of this guidance, with a clear message that such kits, combined with a pedal bike, are illegal to use on the road, even if they are safely manufactured products, unless the vehicle is registered and insured, and the rider has a driving licence and appropriate helmet.
The guidance complements the Government’s Statutory Guidelines on Lithium-ion Batteries for E-bikes, published in 2024, which have legal effect and set out the safety mechanisms e-bike batteries must contain to be considered safe products. It also aligns with advice published in the Government’s Buy Safe, Be Safe campaign, which promotes best practices for consumers using, storing and charging e-bikes and converted e-bikes.
Notes to editors:
-
For the full guidance please refer to E-bike conversion kits: product safety regulatory guidance
-
Publication of the guidance is distinct from and unrelated to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade’s Product Safety Framework consultation, which closed on 23 June 2026.
-
The feedback is being analysed and the Government response to the consultation will be published in due course.