What does lifting an ebike’s wheel and spinning the pedals actually prove? This week’s UK ebike news looks at police roadside testing, why cadence and torque sensors complicate those checks, and what riders should know about the 15.5mph assistance limit.
Plus, e-bike imports have been rejected at the UK border over serious fire risks. We look at the official safety reports covering the Fafrees FF20 CUV, a bike described as “KENDA”, and the URLIFE T2—including problems with supplied charging equipment and conformity documentation.
These reports concern the specific products identified, rather than blanket bans on those brands. And KENDA lettering on a tyre doesn’t establish who manufactured the bike.
Should police use a more consistent testing method? And should reviewers—including me—spend more time checking the charger rather than just talking about battery cells?
Share your thoughts below, and subscribe to EVRC for ebike reviews, practical tests and UK ebike news.
SOURCES:
Police roadside check — Road.cc:
Fafrees FF20 CUV — OPSS safety report:
https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls/product-safety-report-fafrees-e-bike-sold-via-amazon-2609-0133
“KENDA Electric Bike” — OPSS safety report:
https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls/product-safety-report-kenda-electric-bike-2609-0123
URLIFE T2 — OPSS safety report:
https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls/product-safety-report-urlife-t2-electric-bike-sold-via-amazon-2608-0135
Official UK electric bike rules:
https://www.gov.uk/electric-bike-rules
THE FULL SANDY LANE HILL CLIMB LEADERBOARD is here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Pw1-gxzdkZuXlxz0BTHddPCmPxSKZWrC/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=113006544477075827725&rtpof=true&sd=true
Check out my new football podcast for a light hearted look at the weeks football, other footballing discussion, FPL and predictions from Mystic Matt:
https://www.youtube.com/@UCma3OtS_GADKgUxLdBjZdFw
Also available on the biggest podcast platforms:
Amazon Music:
https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/f5a80afe-b4d3-4b4c-bf79-fc647f41dfbb/back-of-the-mic
Spotify:
Apple Podcasts:
Check out my new YouTube channel about Range Rover Ownership and maybe expanding to more Used car stuff in the future:
https://www.youtube.com/@SU-VRC
All the drone shots in this video were recorded using the amazing Hover X1 Pro Max AI drone: https://bit.ly/3O86fQY
The cheaper Hover X1 used in previous videos is here: https://bit.ly/3rqL7gZ
These affiliate links take you direct to the brand’s website but they let the brand know it was me who sent you which helps out the channel without costing you any extra. Thanks very much if you use them.
Here’s my Facebook Marketplace page where I may be selling some of the ebikes I review: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/profile/783242328/
Welcome to the E-VRC. A channel devoted to ebikes, escooters and other electric vehicles.
Come and join the ride!
Instagram & Tiktok: @alfordVRC
Twitter: @TheEVRC
Business Enquiries:
VRCauldron@gmail.com
Virtual Reality channel: http://youtube.com/vrcauldron
Helmets and gear (affiliate links):
Get my helmet the Unit 1 Aura:
https://lvnta.com/shop/4f6256e91dba41e5a19e965c5f445fd9/7b9c043b2633420d8f7c2c1f2244d74b
Get the Noblemantech helmet (TK02 – The Cool White One) here:
https://www.noblemantech.com/?sca_ref=2836474.AdhPuoqbFP
BASE CAMP Boards stylish bike helmets with rear lights.
https://basecampboards.com/?ref=alex8kb
use code EVRC10 to get an extra 10% off.
Xnito Double Light Ebike Helmets:
Logan E-bike Helmet | Speed Protection Up to 28 mph
Helmet Discount price: £89.99 (Retail price: £99.99)
Enter Code: E-VRC at Check-Out to save 10% off.
#electricbike #ebike #ebikes #EbikeNews #UKebikes #ElectricBikes #EbikeSafety #EVRC
46 Comments
that's interesting how you should say that course I had a battery and the charger stop working all of a sudden so I thought oh the fuse has gone and the fuse wire was disconnected inside and I haven't been plugging unplugging it from the wire from the plug only so
With respect to the issue of battery fire risk, I would strongly encourage e-bike buyers to purchase from established brands or directly from reputable OEMs rather than through marketplaces such as Amazon, Temu, or similar platforms. Established manufacturers have their reputation, customer trust, and long-term business interests to protect, whereas many marketplace sellers can appear and disappear with little accountability. When it comes to lithium battery safety, product quality, testing standards, after-sales support, and warranty backing are just as important as price. Saving a few pounds upfront is rarely worth the risk of a poorly manufactured battery.
My Specialized Levo doesnt have a speedo, what can they do without a rolling road setup.
Re the Fafrees – looks very much the charger I got for my standard F20 recently so I will check this.The FF20 CUV is the large cargo bike they sell. Other than that, very happy with my F20 🙂
All this stuff would have been awesome… when i was 12.
NOTFB what my property does. But nick them for 'being a dick'. I would remove the motor specs and use of throttle under 20mph. Anyone having a throttle control should be able to register their bike as a moped and have insurance cover as standard. Don't punish the market punish the bell end.
Alex if they ever stop you and look in your passport only to find you have never actually been to Alabama you are history 🚴♀️😂
The police testing of e bike speeds just shows their ignorance to physics.
You mentioned the freeskye m410 on this video I keep getting conflicting information and with you knowledge maybe you can help, if I use compliance mode always remove throttle make sure using pedals with mirrors and lights how likely will it get seized
No concerns with my Fafrees F20 Pro charger, checked the fuse, it's 3A. Using it for almost two years now and only the charger brick gets warm/hot. Bought direct from manufacturer (used your code 🙂) so no third-party intervention worries 👍
It’s so disheartening when you are riding your legal ebike only to be overtaken by riders on lime bikes
The way they 'check' is dumb, the motor needs a load on it. They need to ride It a short distance to make sure it doesn't go over the 15.5mph limit and film the speedo whilst doing so for evidence. Lifting it off the ground proves nothing.
If they arent sure let them ride it. With their fatasses it wont hit 10
It looks like you have incompetent people regulating your pathetic rules for E bikes
dutch police use a dynometer test on mopeds and ebikes to see how fast they go with motor assist. just turning the pedals tells you nothing.
15.5 mph is laughable. WTF is wrong with UK law makers? A bunch of Keven & Karen's are what they are! The crazy part is the banning anything capable while using Surrons as the poster child. It`s down right Lying about their intentions. Anyone can peddle a regular bike past 16 mph so anyone going regular speeds is potentially getting harassed by law enforcement, f**** insanity!!!
You need to get onto one of the youtube legal experts and find out about what is the law around these stops. If you're questioned by the police you should only ask "I'm a free to go?" "Am I being detained?" What the reason for the stop is? Then on any other questions "I'm not discussing my bike/my day/anything" My understanding is that they can only do a visual inspection. Unless you've consented which is what most people are doing when the police ask them if they can look at the bike.
I got pulled over for doing 40kms hr on my Ebike…Stupid cop has no brains and booked me…Then i showed his sergent it has no battery and it was pure leg power….I took him to court and won for false arrest….I named and shamed him and the police station…..idiots.
I don’t think the rest of the world cares about the uks baby size self inflicted tissue issues.
The policing of E-bikes by Police in the UK is draconian and idiotic (The Police frequently make mistakes and engage in irrational fear mongering) – but it's also the Govs fault for refusing to amend the idiotic laws.
Why on gods green earth do cops have the right to pull over E-Bikes for road side checks when the rider is not speeding or driving dangerously? It is a waste of the publics and the polices time – all because of stupid policies and stupid laws. Anyways good video. Funny joke at the end! 😀 Hehe.
I have a urlife t2 never had a problem with it
Anyone over 16 using an e-bike on the pavement should get their bike crushed, be an adult
You on about pedibel with throttle
if they want net 0 they need to allow throttle assisted at 15 but we all know thats just a lie they tell ya to put the cost up on everything u buy
Great channel
I'd like to see a cop do whats in the thumbnail with my bike and the bike lock in the back bag. My lock and chain weighs 10kg. LOL
It came to light that ebikes that were seized by the Police were subsequently auctioned.
Auctioned to who? Ah, the public from whom they were siezed. Make it make sense.
EAPCs are fine. The Surons are a nightmare.
Also, anyone read that story months back of the lad who got stopped for going over 15mph, accused of having an illegal one but it turned out he was just riding a regular bike downhill? Police officer also thought all bikes must remain under 15mph like some kind of road speed limit special to them.
They need to seize bikes so they can sell them at police auctions which is happening just crazy
Funny thing about these checks is, they don’t target sur Ron riders or the criminal riders, because those riders arn’t concerned with staying in lanes and will just ride away 😂 utterly pointless police activities, as usual.
I think they checking for mad powerful ones. Like the 48v one I built with an old bike in 2019. Push the pedals and you'll see how quickly it accelerates. 😬 I could do 30 mph up hill (with a bit of peddling). 😬 But I took off road a few years ago as brakes failed.
3:25 dangerous riding?
Shame they're not capable of doing 'real' policing. (no doubt, they get points for handing tickets out)
Customs should be looking at stuff going through Amazon as well, I recently bought two items from there that came with a cradle charger connected with a single insulated cable to a Euro 2-pin plug. Which are illegal in the UK for more than just the fact that it isn't fused. I kept the equipment, threw the charger in the trash (the equipment comes with a built in USB-C charging port) and pointed out the fault on the review.
The country is spending billions on cycle lanes that apart from city's are never used,,, and assisted peddling is the way forward,, but you are one allowed 250w same as a drone,,,,why,, what a load of bollox,,, the cheapest power tools have more,, how much help someone needs is a individual need,,,
Governments were created to reward their allies and punish their enemies. Let that sink in.
Kenda tires are made by Kenda Rubber Industrial Company, an independent Taiwanese tire manufacturer that has operated since 1962.
Kenda is known for its wide product range, covering bicycle, motorcycle, ATV, trailer, automobile, and industrial tires.
Kenda Rubber Industrial Company is a publicly traded Taiwanese company headquartered in Yuanlin, Changhua County, and is not owned by any larger tire conglomerate.
Knowing that Kenda remains independently owned helps explain why the brand supplies tires to other private label programs like Rocky Mountain.
The kids today know how to open the motors up, and take out / disconnect the governor,
there's 3 people in my area who have done this, and the silly buggers fly around doing at least 50-60mph.
The EU/UK is a big enough market to force something similar to the USB-C format onto PEVs. Standard output from BMS and standard charger plug and rating would move the dangerous part from being a lottery to, like the car industry, building many body styles around a couple of powertrains.
If you know your ebike is over the speed limit, is there any point in stopping for the police?
Cheap Chinese cars are far more dangerous, but they fit the government agenda
it gives the police the ability to take them of people based on their opinion. io the music i was playing from my Bluetooth speaker as i went past have never been pulled but i ride to the li it and don't ride like an idiot . i rode past some police who were there for a local event ( about 25 officers ) and not one stopped me and some where dancing to the music i had on my Bluetooth speaker as i rode past them.
It’s pretty obvious that an initial roadside test to see whether the motor can operate without the pedals is perfectly valid, and a way to quickly assess whether the officer needs to explore further.
And yet, in my city we STILL have immigrants flying around on throttle controlled Krypton ebikes. On the pavements, super speed causing chaos everywhere.
Also if you’re riding on a pavement as far as I’m concerned it’s dangerous my mother was petrified to walk up and down the road to the shop purely because the cyclist not just electric pushbikes are meant to be on the road
It’s funny to see how low the limits are in Britain. Of course you can drive a car with hundreds of horsepower and thousands of pounds of danger.