A public consultation on the use of small electric personal vehicles, was today launched by Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis.

The consultation seeks views on new types of vehicle such as electric-assisted bicycles which are not covered by current laws surrounding bicycles and motor vehicles.

Currently many such vehicles are not permitted on public highways and cycle paths. The Government is seeking views to establish if current regulations should changed to permit their use on public road and cycle tracks.

The current EPAC (electrically assisted personal cycles)Regulations state that bicycles, tandem bikes and tricycles under 60kg and powered by no more than 250w motor are not motor vehicles and as such are not governed by the same legal requirements such as road tax and licences.

Andrew Adonis said: “New technologies can offer new opportunities and this consultation offers the chance for a full consideration of the issues around electric personal vehicles.

“We want to hear from groups and individuals with opinions and evidence on whether the law should be changed to permit such vehicles on public roads and cycle tracks. We will then consider all the responses carefully before deciding whether any further action is required.”

At present any electric personal vehicles which does not comply with existing road traffic law may only be used on private land, with the landowner’s permission.

The consultation can be found here: http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/2010-01/