Compliance

1. Our position, plainly

EcoBike Camping Supplies Co. exists to sell honest, road-legal equipment to UK customers — not to skirt regulations. Every electric bicycle we import is sold as a UK Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC) conforming to the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Regulations 1983 and the European standard EN 15194.

We are aware that a growing minority of UK e-bike sellers push non-compliant hardware, hidden-unlock firmware and after-market “derestriction” kits. We do not, and will not, be one of them. We would rather lose the sale than risk a customer’s safety, a rider’s legal position, or the reputation of the trade.

2. The UK-legal spec, in one paragraph

• Motor: 250 W continuous maximum — not 500 W, not 750 W.
• Electric assistance cuts out at 15.5 mph (25 km/h).
• Pedal-assist only above 4 mph; throttles are permitted only as walk-assist below 4 mph.
• Rider must be aged 14 or over.
• Frame markings showing motor power and manufacturer.
• CE and/or UKCA marking, plus EN 15194 conformity certificate supplied per shipment.

A bike that meets all six requirements does not need registration, road tax, an MOT, a driving licence or compulsory insurance under UK law. A bike that falls short of any one of them requires all of the above — and cannot legally be sold as an EAPC.

3. What we refuse to sell

We do not stock or supply:

• Motors above 250 W continuous. Not the 500 W, 750 W or 1,000 W export variants many Asian factories ship as standard.
• Bikes with hidden speed-unlock or region-switch modes. Every bike we source is subject to a written assurance from the manufacturer that no button-combination, app connection or firmware option exists to raise the assist cut-off beyond 15.5 mph.
• Throttles operational above 4 mph. Twist-grip or thumb throttles that allow the bike to move under its own power without the rider pedalling are not permitted under UK EAPC rules.
• De-restriction kits or firmware. We do not sell or recommend any modification designed to bypass EAPC limits.
• Uncertified batteries or chargers. All lithium packs we supply meet UN 38.3 for transport and are supplied with RoHS and CE/UKCA documentation.

4. What we do at source

Because we operate a drop-ship model with our manufacturing partners, compliance is enforced at the factory rather than in a UK warehouse. Every purchase order we place requires:

• Written confirmation that the unit is the UK-EAPC 250 W variant, permanently locked in firmware.
• CE / UKCA plate and marking present on the frame.
• EN 15194 conformity certificate supplied in each bike’s manual sleeve.
• Commercial invoice with the correct customs classification (HS 8711.60).
• Battery documentation (UN 38.3 transport certificate, RoHS statement).

Any shipment that arrives without this documentation is refused at the customer’s address and returned to the manufacturer at their cost, at no charge to the customer.

5. Cooperation with Trading Standards & police

We keep records of the CE/UKCA certificates, conformity documents and firmware assurances for every unit sold, for a minimum of six years from the date of sale. In the event of an enquiry from Trading Standards, the Office for Product Safety and Standards, or a police force pursuing enforcement action, we will provide these records promptly and in full.

If we ever become aware that a batch of bikes we have supplied fails to meet EAPC standards — for example, through a firmware bug or a manufacturer changing specification without notice — we will:

• Publish a notice on this page within 48 hours of confirmation.
• Contact every customer of that batch by email and (if provided) SMS.
• Offer a full refund, uplift and disposal at our cost.

6. The rider’s responsibilities

Selling a UK-legal bike is our commitment. Keeping it that way is also the rider’s. If you modify a bike we’ve sold you — for example by fitting an after-market motor, changing the controller, or installing derestriction firmware — the bike is no longer EAPC-compliant and may not be ridden on the road, cycle paths or bridleways without registering it as a motor vehicle.

We will not knowingly assist with any such modification, and our warranty is void from the moment any change of that kind is made.

7. Get in touch

Enforcement enquiries, compliance verification or general questions about the standards on this page: email hello@ecobikecampingsuppliesco.com with subject line “Compliance” and we will respond within one working day.

For the current government position on UK EAPC rules, see gov.uk/electric-bike-rules.