UK ministers urged to promote e-bikes to tackle health and climate crises

Campaigners say subsidy scheme could create 2bn in health benefits and cut 1m tonnes of emissions annually

Ministers should consider subsidising e-bikes as they do electric cars, campaigners have urged, after a study found that mass use of such bikes could create more than 2bn in health benefits and cut a million tonnes of emissions annually.

While grants of up to 1,500 are available for low-emission cars, vans and motorbikes, there is no such assistance for electric-assist bikes, which help propel riders up to a maximum powered speed of 15mph when the bike is being pedalled.