Why should I consider buying an e-bike?

Our cycle insurance partner Bikmo has written this guide to show us the many joys of being able to cycle on e-bikes with our family and friends when away with our outfits.

Greenwich, nearest site Abbey Wood Club Campsite, member photo by Mike Halliwell

What is an e-bike?

An e-bike is an electrically assisted pedal cycle (EAPC), with a rechargeable battery and a motor that helps you pedal.

They are fantastic for taking away with your campervan, caravan or motorhome, as they enable you to go on adventures without needing to be “cycling fit”. They come in several varieties including road, cargo and tricycles.

For an electric bike to be legal in the UK:

1. It must come with a pedal-assist motor and have a maximum power output of 250 watts.
2. The electrical assistance must cut off when it reaches 15.5mph / 25kmph.
3. It cannot be ridden by anyone under the age of 14.

This is the law for public roads. There are no restrictions on riding on private land with the landowner’s permission, provided there is no public access.

You can drive an e-bike on the Club’s UK campsites, as long as you adhere to the existing driving rules regarding speed, driving on the roads and being mindful of other guests regarding noise etc. See the Club Site Rules here.

Why should I consider an e-bike?

1. Assistance with Pedalling: By definition; e-bikes provide electric assistance while pedalling, which can be beneficial for going further, uphill, and over challenging terrain, making cycling generally less effort, and more accessible for those with health conditions or impairments.
2. Eco-Friendly Transportation: E-bikes are generally more environmentally friendly than cars. Not only do they produce zero emissions while using, you will also reduce traffic congestion.
3. Fun and Enjoyable Riding Experience: Whether it's cruising along scenic bike paths or tackling challenging hills with ease, e-bikes can enhance the overall enjoyment of riding for all kinds of cyclists.

O2 London, near Abbey Wood Club Campsite. Member photo by Mike Halliwell

How do I pick an e-bike?

Consider your requirements. Do you want something easily transportable? Possibly look into folding e-bikes. What are you going to be doing on it, off road biking? If the majority of your rides will be on gravel paths, you might consider a full suspension model.

To help with this; it’s worth speaking to your local bike shop or a manufacturer you may have seen, as they come in a few different shapes and sizes to suit everyone’s needs.

Retailer shops may let you test-ride different e-bikes. They can also advise on picking an EAPC bike, so that it’s legally classed as a bicycle and not a motorbike.

How much is an e-bike?

The price range from e-bikes starts from below £1,000 and goes up to £10,000 and beyond, depending on your requirements for how you prefer to ride.

According to Bikmo’s recent e-bike survey, the average cost for an e-bike is between £2,000 and £2,999.

Don’t e-bikes catch fire?

These articles often pop up in the news, but if you read between the lines, it’s often due to aftermarket, unofficial batteries and chargers being used, that are not provided by the original manufacturer of the bike.

Bikmo’s top 5 tips for e-bike charging:

1. Always use the correct charger and buy an official one from a reputable seller
2. Let the battery cool after use before charging. Most e-bikes simply allow the battery to be removed from the bike for ease of charging
3. Unplug your charger once it’s finished charging
4. Always follow manufacturer's instructions for charging
5. Do not leave it unattended or while people are asleep

The Club’s Technical Manager, Martin Spencer, knows that when and where to charge is a point of discussion, however his thoughts on this are based on the official government/industry guidance: “The ideal’s somewhere like a shed or garage separate from your home, but that’s often impractical and impossible when in a caravan or motorhome. The guidance recognises this, suggesting charging where the cycle/battery pack won’t obstruct your escape in case of fire, and as far as possible, not charging near combustible materials. Make sure you have an effective smoke alarm fitted when charging indoors. The guide recommends fitting a heat alarm where a smoke alarm is impractical (e.g. sometimes in a kitchen), but leisure vehicles should be OK with a suitable smoke alarm, which will usually react faster.”

CUBE Reaction Hybrid Pro 625 Allroad Electric Bike

Are my e-bike’s battery and motor covered by insurance policies?

With Bikmo, you can be covered for damage sustained to your electrical drive train during an incident, including the battery, motor, gearbox and control system.
However, Bikmo doesn’t cover system faults resulting from electrical or mechanical failure which is not linked to an incident. Like most products with warranty, these types of failures should be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty for a given period of time, normally a minimum of 12 months.

If the battery were to set on fire and damage the bike, then the damage to the bike would be covered with Bikmo. However, the battery would be excluded as this would be a mechanical or electrical breakdown or defect or electronic malfunction. We recommend speaking with your original bike retailer or the manufacturer directly to discuss warranty coverage, the potential for extended warranty and the extent of the coverage.

Just make sure it’s fully charged before you head for the great outdoors as they’re hard to pedal when the battery dies!

Do e-bikes require insurance?

Not legally, but it’s worth considering a dedicated e-bike insurance policy. As well as them being a significant investment, some home insurance companies will not cover your bikes “away from home” or with your caravan, campervan or motorhome.
That's why we've partnered with Bikmo cycle insurance to offer enhanced cover on their policies to members and non-members, plus an exclusive discount to Club members, with members' needs in mind.

Bikmo also offers a fantastic 25% discount** on e-bike policies (compared to regular bicycles ones) which is applied at checkout with them, when ticking “e-bike”.

Some of the benefits of getting your bikes insured with Bikmo via the Club include:

• 12 months for the price of 11* for Caravan Club members
• 50% saving when insuring multiple bikes, covering the whole family on the same policy
• 14 days FREE insurance on ALL new bikes. No card details or cancellation required!

Bikmo’s hassle-free cover includes:

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Published July 2024

* 12 months for the price of 11 is applied as an 8.33% discount. Minimum premium £3.73/mo and policy wording applies. This promotion is provided by Bikmo Limited, Units 114 & 115 Glendale House, Glendale Avenue, Sandycroft, Deeside, CH5 2QP, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ref. 745230

** Data and reduction on e-bike policies from 2020. Full announcement can be found here - https://bikmo.com/uk/blog/e-bike-insurance-cost-reduction/

^ Subject to Bikmo’s locking requirements. Enhanced cover benefits: Available to all members and non members; available when purchasing a Bikmo policy via https://www.caravanclub.co.uk; enhanced cover benefits will be applied as endorsements https://bikmo.com/uk/documents/camc-endorsements/ and shown on your schedule