A councillor and chair of a Local Community Safety Partnership has said that there is a need for Garda to make a clear distinction between lawful pedal-assisted bicycles and illegal motorised vehicles.Cllr Marie Casserly, chair of the Local Community Safety Partnership in Sligo, has written to Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly about the issue.Cllr Casserly pointed out that lawful pedal-assisted cycles, otherwise known as Electrically Power Assisted Cycles (EPACs), are being confused with devices that often look the same and have pedals, but are classed as illegal motorised vehicles.The Department of Transport makes it clear that the phrase e-bike refers to legal electric bicycles, and this term is then also explained on citizensinformation.ie. But Garda have repeatedly used the term e-bike to refer to devices that have pedals but are too overpowered or run on throttles, so are classed as illegal mopeds or motorcycles.Because these devices are legally viewed as mopeds or motorcycles, they require registration, tax, and insurance, and their users must be licensed and wear a motorcycle helmet. Cllr Casserly mainly referred to how the Garda communicate the difference between the two, but the confusion between the devices also causes enforcement issues.For example, in the UK, the BBC reported this week on how West Midlands Police incorrectly confiscated and destroyed a legal 6,000 electric cargo bicycle, and wrongly issued the cyclist with a fixed penalty notice for the offence of riding without insurance.The bicycle was rented through a scheme funded by the city council but was crushed after police officers administered a flawed test on it. After the BBC covered the issue, the police force later apologised for their actions, said the charges would be dropped, and said the owner would be compensated. Garda communications In her letter, Cllr Casserly said: Given the increasing public discussion around this issue, I believe that adopting precise terminology will assist both An Garda Sochna and the wider public in understanding the distinction between lawful pedal-assisted cycles and illegal motorised vehicles, she said.Cllr Casserly said: I am writing to highlight the urgent need for greater clarity in the terminology used when referring to electrically powered bicycles and motorised two-wheeled vehicles. The current use of the term e-bike to describe all electrically powered bicycles risks creating confusion for the public, policymakers and those responsible for enforcement.It is important that a clear distinction is made between Electrically Power Assisted Cycles (EPACs), which comply with European and Irish regulations, and motorised electric bicycles or motorcycles that are capable of operating without pedalling, exceed the permitted power or speed limits, or have been illegally modified, she said.She said that pedal-assisted cycles are a legitimate and increasingly important form of sustainable transport that provide valuable mobility for commuters, older people, and those with reduced fitness, while encouraging active travel and helping to reduce traffic congestion.Explaining the differences, she said: Under the applicable regulations, assistance is limited to a maximum speed of 25km/h and is only provided while the rider is actively pedalling. By contrast, many of the vehicles giving rise to public concern are, in effect, electric motorcycles. They are often capable of travelling at significantly higher speeds without pedalling, meaning that they fall outside the legal definition of what is a legal electric bicycle.Referring to the illegal devices, she said: These vehicles present a much greater risk to both riders and other road users and should rightly remain the focus of Garda enforcement.She added: I respectfully suggest that Garda communications, operational guidance and any future legislative proposals consistently distinguish between compliant EPACs and illegally modified or throttle-operated motorised vehicles. Such clarity would support proportionate enforcement, improve public understanding, and ensure that legitimate users of EPACs are not unfairly associated with vehicles that operate outside the law.IMAGE: A mix of different types of bicycles and other devices on Capel Street in Dublin.