Ilkley Cycling Club E-Bike Policy
Ilkley Cycling Club (ICC) encourages, supports and welcomes everybody to cycle with us. E-Bikes are seen as a welcome addition to the cycling scene and used correctly, can only be for the good of cycling. The ICC ebike Policy sets out how ebike should be used on ICC Club Group Rides to ensure club rides are enjoyed by all.
ICC expects all riders to ensure they join a ride that is commensurate with their skills and experience this includes ebike riders. It is the responsibility of the ebike rider to choose the correct ride. The same riding etiquette applies to ebike riders as to the rest of the club riders.
This policy applies to all legal ebikes – road (drop and straight handle bars), mountain bikes and gravel bikes, and can be included on all appropriate rides unless specified by the ride leader.
This policy is designed for adult riders over the age of 18 years.
Guidelines
- All ebike should comply with UK law when used on the road, that is 250W and the motor cuts out above 20kph (15.5 mph). They should be pedal assist (not ‘twist and go’) i.e., the eBike must not move without pedalling.
- Throttle ebikes are strictly prohibited on all ICC Club Group Rides
- When representing the club ebikes can be used for Sportive if allowed by the event organiser, and can only be used for competition if the race is specifically for e-bikes.
- An ebike rider should ride at the pace of the other riders.
- If an ebike rider is operating their ebike in an unsafe manner, the Group Ride Leader has the authority to speak to the ebike rider to ensure the safety of all in the group.
- An ebike rider should be certain they have sufficient battery reserve for the ride they have chosen (fully charged battery and spare if needed). It is not the Ride Leader’s responsibility to ensure that the ebike rider is safely returned to the start point should they run out of battery, the eBike rider should be of adequate fitness and capability to look after themselves if they leave the group during a ride.
- When climbing hills, e-Bike riders should show consideration to the other riders and ensure they and wait at the top of climbs, especially if they are unable to ride within a tight group. Always finding a safe place to re-group.
- When a mixed group of ebikes mountain bikes and none mountain ebikes are out together, ebike riders should be aware of the difference the turbo mode has over non mountain ebikes particularly if it is off road and in an unknown place. Effort most be made to ensure the safety of all riders.
- Only riders over 14 years of age may ride an ebike in the UK on the road, youth/junior riders may not join rides without clearance for the Youth Lead, and the appropriate parental consents signed.
- Adults who are required to ride an adapted bike, such as an etrike should contact the club Welfare Officers to discuss this.