Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has welcomed confirmation new legislation will be introduced to simplify the usage of electronic bikes here but added it should not have taken this long for it to happen.

Mr Lyttle, Chair of the Assembly’s All-Party Group on Cycling, was speaking after Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said she had asked officials to urgently review the legislation, which concerns the registration, licensing and insurance of e-bikes. Previously, people in Northern Ireland had been unable to register the e-bikes, despite being required to do so by law.

“I welcome this move, which will allow e-bike owners in Northern Ireland to take part in a simplified process in future alongside the rest of the UK,” said the East Belfast MLA.

“However, this situation should not have been allowed to develop into the farce it became and which took so long to resolve. While the DVLA eventually resolved the technical error it blamed for not permitting riders here to register the e-bikes, it was a massive mistake in the first place.

“The restoration of the Executive means this issue can be resolved and we can now catch up with changing our society to introduce more sustainable modes of transport such as e-bikes. I look forward to welcoming the Minister to the APG on Cycling, so she can update MLAs on her strategies for doing so, and ensuring her Department delivers innovative solutions which reduce emissions and promote active travel.”