A significant shift in road safety perception is underway among Britain's cycling community, with new research indicating that illegally modified electric bicycles are now viewed as a greater danger than cars.
Cyclists' Fears Shift from Motors to Modified E-Bikes
According to a study by Cycleplan, eight per cent of regular cyclists believe tampered e-bikes pose the greatest threat to their personal safety, ranking them higher than cars, buses, or lorries. The survey, which quizzed 500 regular cyclists across the UK, found that one in twelve now hold this view, marking a notable change from just a few years ago when motor traffic was the predominant concern.
The findings suggest a rapid evolution in the road risk landscape. Alan Thomas, chief executive of Cycleplan, warned that the traditional narrative of cars versus cyclists may no longer capture the full picture of where riders feel most vulnerable. "Perhaps most notable is that some riders now see other cyclists, or at least illegally modified e-bikes, as part of the problem," he stated.
Rising Close Calls and Plummeting Confidence
The report, released in January 2026, paints a concerning picture of declining safety on UK roads. It reveals that only 18 per cent of surveyed cyclists feel safe cycling in 2026, a sharp drop from 27 per cent when the same question was asked three years prior.
Furthermore, the data shows a worrying increase in incidents. 40 per cent of respondents reported being involved in a crash or a close call in the past year, a rise from 33 per cent in 2023.
Qualitative responses from cyclists highlighted specific anxieties. One respondent cited "dark dressed, no lights, electric bikes doing very high speeds at junctions" as a major problem, noting that cars are more predictable and visible. Another commented on the frequency of near-misses caused by modified e-bike users, stating it was "very unhelpful for all cyclists who use an electric bicycle properly." A third expressed a stark loss of confidence, saying, "I am literally too scared to cycle now."
Unpredictability and Lagging Enforcement
Mr Thomas explained that the issue often extends beyond pure speed. "Often, the issue isn't just speed, but how unpredictable modified e-bikes can feel – particularly on cycle lanes and pavements designed for slower road users," he said.
He directly linked the growing fear to a failure in regulation, stating that enforcement around e-bike speed limits hasn't kept pace with adoption. The research indicates that the surge in popularity of e-bikes, coupled with the ability to illegally modify them to exceed legal speed limits, is creating a new and poorly managed hazard on shared road and path spaces.
The study underscores a pressing need for updated enforcement strategies and public awareness campaigns to address this emerging safety challenge and restore confidence among the UK's cycling population.
