Type "off road electric bike" into Google and the first thing you'll see is a page full of electric dirt bikes. 3,000W. 5,000W. Some well past that, with knobbly motocross tyres and no pedals worth mentioning. They look brilliant, and I completely understand the appeal. But very few of them are something you can legally ride on a bridleway, a forest track or anywhere else in the British countryside that isn't private land.
Here's the thing – most people who search for an off-road e-bike don't actually want a motorbike. They want to get off the tarmac. They want the bridleway behind the village, the gravel tracks through the forest, the coast path that turns to sand halfway along, the muddy lane they've walked past for years and never ridden. And they want a bit of help on the climbs so it's a pleasure rather than a slog.
That's really what this guide is about. It's my pick of the best off-road electric bikes in the UK that you can ride legally, with no licence, tax or insurance – five bikes across four brands, all of them stocked and sold by us. Truth be told, the dirt bike question catches a lot of people out, so I'll clear that up first, then cover where you can legally ride off-road and which of the five suits your riding.
Who This Guide Is For
This is for riders whose idea of a good day out involves at least some ground that isn't smooth – the bridleways around the South Downs or the Chilterns, forest roads in Kielder or the Forest of Dean, a bit of beach at the end of a coast ride in Northumberland, or simply a commute that takes the muddy shortcut across the common.
It's not really a guide for technical mountain biking – steep, rocky trail-centre descents, drops and berms. If that's what you're after, our electric mountain bike buyer's guide covers it in more depth. This one is about the everyday off-road riding that most of us actually do: rough, mixed, sometimes wet, and usually somewhere you'd like to get back from without pushing.
Electric Dirt Bike or Off-Road E-Bike? The Difference That Matters
In the UK, an electric bike is only treated like an ordinary pedal bike if it meets the EAPC rules. EAPC stands for Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle, and the government's own guidance sets out what that means: it must have pedals that can be used to propel it, a motor with a continuous rated power of no more than 250 watts, and assistance that stops once you're travelling at more than 15.5 mph. Meet those rules and you don't need a licence, tax or insurance, and you can ride it anywhere a pedal bike is allowed, as long as you're 14 or over.
An electric dirt bike with a 3,000W or 5,000W motor doesn't meet them. In law it's a motorcycle or moped, which means it has to be registered and taxed, the rider needs a driving licence, and it has to be insured. Most of them aren't built to be road-registered at all, which in practice means private land only, with the landowner's permission. And here's the bit people miss: the right to cycle on a bridleway doesn't cover motor vehicles. Under the Countryside Act 1968, the public right to ride a bicycle on a bridleway excludes mechanically propelled vehicles – but EAPCs are specifically carved out of that definition. So an EAPC-compliant e-bike can go on a bridleway. A dirt bike can't.
That's why every bike in this guide is a 250W, pedal-assist e-bike. They won't do 50 mph across a field, but they'll take you up the long gravel climb out of the valley and home again – legally.
One honest note on throttles. One of the bikes in this guide, the E-Movement Thor, lists a throttle as an optional extra "for off-road and use on private land only". That wording matters. Under the government guidance, an e-bike can only be propelled without pedalling if it's been approved, and whether a bike counts as an EAPC depends on how it's built, not on how you ride it. So with that throttle fitted, the bike is no longer road- or bridleway-legal, even if you never touch it. Forestry England also bans modified e-bikes on its land. If you want to ride public bridleways and roads, buy it without the throttle. Our guide to UK e-bike laws goes into the detail.
Where Can You Actually Ride an E-Bike Off-Road?
This is the question I'd answer before choosing a bike, because it shapes what kind of bike you need. In England and Wales, it comes down to the type of public right of way. Cycling UK's briefing sets it out clearly:
- Bridleways – yes. You can cycle on them, but you must give way to walkers and horse riders. That's in the law itself, not just good manners.
- Restricted byways – yes. Open to walkers, horse riders, cyclists and other non-mechanically propelled traffic, such as horse-drawn carriages.
- Byways open to all traffic (BOATs) – yes. These are the green lanes you'll sometimes share with a 4x4 or a trail motorbike.
- Public footpaths – no. There's no general right to cycle on a footpath, however inviting the surface looks.
In Scotland it's more generous. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gives cyclists a right of responsible access to most of the countryside, following the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. EAPCs are generally treated as bicycles under those access rights, although that hasn't been tested in the courts, and motor vehicles – including e-bikes that don't meet the EAPC rules – aren't covered. Forest land is worth a mention too. Many forests managed by Forestry England, Natural Resources Wales and Forestry and Land Scotland welcome cyclists on forest roads and waymarked trails, but the rules vary from site to site, so check the signs at the car park or the forest's own website before you go.
The practical upshot? Most UK off-road riding is bridleways, byways, forest roads and gravel tracks – so you don't need an expensive full-suspension mountain bike. You need grip, a bit of suspension, decent brakes and help on the climbs. If you're looking for somewhere to start, our round-up of UK cycling trails for electric mountain bikers has a few ideas.
What Makes an E-Bike Good Off-Road?
There's no single spec that makes a bike "off-road". It's a combination, and the right balance depends on the ground you ride.
Tyres first. Honestly, tyres make more difference off-road than almost anything else. There are two broad approaches in this guide. Fat tyres – 4 inches wide on a 20-inch wheel – float over sand, soft mud and loose gravel, and soak up bumps at low pressure. Mountain bike tyres – around 2.35 inches on a bigger 27.5-inch wheel – roll faster on hard-packed tracks, feel more precise, and the larger wheel rolls over roots and ruts more easily. If you want the longer version of that argument, our fat tyre vs electric mountain bike comparison goes through it in detail.
Suspension. A suspension fork is the minimum for proper off-road riding. Travel – how far the fork compresses – is the number to look at. Around 50 mm takes the edge off rough tracks; 120 mm is genuine mountain bike territory. A lockout is handy too, so you can firm the fork up on the road section home. Rear suspension is a bonus on rougher ground, but it's rarer at this price.
Brakes. Off-road, and especially in the wet, hydraulic disc brakes are worth having. They need less pressure at the lever, they're easier to control on a slippery descent, and they adjust themselves as the pads wear. Mechanical discs do the job, but on a long, muddy descent you'll notice the difference.
Torque. Every bike here is limited to 250W, so torque – measured in Nm – is the more useful number for climbing. It's the twisting force the motor puts through the wheel. Higher torque helps most when you're pulling away on a steep, loose climb, which is exactly when off-road riding gets hard.
Weight. Off-road, at some point you'll lift the bike – over a stile, through a kissing gate, into the car. A 22 kg bike and a 35 kg bike feel very different at that moment.
The Best Off-Road Electric Bikes in the UK – Five I'd Recommend
These are listed from lowest to highest price. They're all 250W pedal-assist bikes, and I've been straight about where each one falls short.
1. Engwe EP-2 3.0 Boost – £1,299
Best for: gravel, grass and coast paths – and a bike that folds into the car.
The EP-2 3.0 Boost is our best-selling bike in this guide, and it's the one I'd suggest if your off-road riding is mostly coast paths, grass and gravel. Engwe lists its suitable terrain as roads, gravel paths, grass, coastal routes and cycle trails, which is a fair description of where it shines. Those 20" × 4.0" fat tyres, with a 3 mm anti-puncture layer, are the thing you'll notice first. Engwe describes them as urban hybrid tyres rather than knobbly off-road ones, so they're at their best on gravel, grass and firm tracks rather than deep mud.
The 250W hub motor puts out 75 Nm of torque and works with a torque sensor, so the help comes in smoothly as you press on the pedals rather than surging. On a loose climb, that matters, because a sudden surge is exactly what spins a rear tyre. There's a hydraulic suspension fork with 50 mm of travel and an adjustable lockout, and hydraulic dual-piston disc brakes with 180 mm rotors front and rear. The 48V 13.5Ah battery (648Wh) gives a quoted 120 km at the lowest assist level, or 80 km at the highest, and it charges in 3.5 to 4 hours.
The trade-offs: it weighs 32.3 kg, the 50 mm fork is fine for tracks but isn't a mountain bike fork, and the 7-speed Shimano gearing (14–28T) suits gentle climbs better than steep ones. The upside is that it folds to 97 × 53 × 81 cm, which means the ride can start wherever you can drive to. It suits riders from 5'5" to 6'2", with a 150 kg maximum load. Have a look at the Engwe EP-2 3.0 Boost.
2. E-Movement Thor – from £1,299
Best for: bridleways, woodland tracks and riders who want a light, proper mountain bike feel.
If the EP-2 is the floater, the Thor is the one that feels like a traditional mountain bike. It's a hardtail – suspension at the front, none at the back – built on a 6061 aluminium frame, and at 22 kg it's the lightest of the bikes here that publish a weight – just ahead of the Mark2, and more than 10 kg lighter than either Engwe. That's a real advantage off-road, whether you're lifting it over a gate or picking a line through roots.
It runs on 27.5" × 2.35" Maxxis tyres, a lockable RST hydraulic suspension fork, Logan hydraulic disc brakes with 160 mm rotors and SRAM 7-speed gearing, with a 250W Bafang motor and a Samsung battery integrated into the frame. The IP65 water-resistance rating is reassuring for muddy British riding. You can choose a standard 10.5Ah battery or step up to 14Ah for £300 more, which I'd suggest if your rides are long or hilly.
Two things to know before you order. First, the Thor is also offered with a 350W motor, and that version does not meet the UK EAPC rules for road use – the product page says so plainly. If you want to ride on roads and public bridleways, choose a 250W option. Second, the throttle is an optional extra for off-road use on private land only. E-Movement lists a minimum rider height of 5.5 ft (around 5'6") and a 120 kg maximum rider weight, and the 160 mm brake rotors are a little smaller than some bikes here, so it's happier on rolling bridleways than long, steep descents. Have a look at the E-Movement Thor.
3. Claud Butler Ridge 1.0 – £1,399.99
Best for: a first off-road e-bike for bridleways and forest tracks.
The Ridge 1.0 is the most straightforward bike here, and that's meant as a compliment. It's an entry-level electric mountain bike with front suspension that gets you out on bridleways, forest roads and gentle trails without overcomplicating things. The headline is the suspension: a 27.5" fork with 120 mm of travel and a hydraulic lockout. That's the same travel as the Mark2 below, and more than any fat tyre bike in this guide, so it genuinely takes the sting out of roots, loose stone and broken ground.
The rest is sensible. 27.5" × 2.35" Ralson Vector tyres, Shimano 8-speed gearing with an 11–34T cassette (a wider spread than the EP-2's 14–28T, which helps on steeper climbs), a 780 mm wide handlebar for control, and internal cable routing so there's less to snag. The 36V 10.4Ah battery (375Wh) is integrated into the frame, removes for charging, and gives a quoted range of up to 40 miles, with a full charge in around 5 hours. It comes in two frame sizes: Medium for riders roughly 5'4" to 5'10" and Large for 5'10" to 6'2".
I'll be honest about where the money's been saved. The Bafang rear hub motor produces 32 Nm of torque – the lowest published figure here – so it won't haul you up a steep, loose climb the way the Engwes or the Mark2 will. You'll be doing more of the work on the hills. And the brakes are JAK7 mechanical discs with 160 mm rotors rather than hydraulics. They stop the bike, but they need more pressure at the lever and occasional adjustment. If your riding is rolling rather than steep, neither of those is a deal-breaker. Have a look at the Claud Butler Ridge 1.0.
4. Engwe Engine Pro 3.0 Boost – £1,699
Best for: rougher ground, the most comfort, and the highest published torque here.
If I had to pick one bike here for rougher tracks – broken gravel byways, bumpy forest roads, sandy beaches – it would be the Engine Pro 3.0 Boost. It's the only bike in this guide with suspension at both ends: a hydraulic fork with 50 mm of travel and an adjustable lockout up front, and 62 mm of rear suspension. On a long day over broken ground, having the back of the bike move as well makes a real difference to how your back and wrists feel by the end.
It also has the highest torque figure published by any bike here, at 90 Nm from the 250W hub motor, with a torque sensor to keep it smooth. Pair that with 20" × 4.0" fat tyres (with a 3 mm anti-puncture layer) and you've got a bike that will keep climbing on loose surfaces where others start to slip. Engwe lists its suitable terrain as tarmac roads, gravel paths, sandy beaches, grass, country roads and paved trails. The 48V 15Ah battery (720Wh, Samsung 21700 cells) gives a quoted 130 km at PAS 1, 108 km at PAS 3 and 80 km at PAS 5, and the 8A fast charger fills it in around 2 hours. Hydraulic dual-piston brakes with 180 mm rotors handle the stopping, and the water-resistance ratings are published component by component – IPX7 on the wiring, IPX5 on the motor, controller and battery box.
The trade-off is weight. At 34.7 kg it's the heaviest of the bikes here that publish a weight, so stiles and kissing gates will test you. It folds to 97 × 53 × 81 cm, which helps with getting it to the start of a ride, and it suits riders from 5'5" to 6'2" with a 150 kg maximum load. Have a look at the Engwe Engine Pro 3.0 Boost.
5. Mark2 Scrambler – £1,799
Best for: steeper, more demanding trails, where gearing, brakes and suspension all matter.
The Scrambler is the most trail-focused bike in this guide. It's a lightweight electric mountain bike with front suspension – Mark2 says it's hand-built in Europe and shipped from its UK warehouse – and it's the one I'd point you to if your off-road riding has proper hills in it. The RST Blaze RA fork has 120 mm of travel with a preload adjuster, the Shimano hydraulic disc brakes use a larger 180 mm rotor up front and 160 mm at the rear, and Mark2 lists a 27-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain – more gears than any other bike here, which is handy for spinning up a long, steep climb rather than grinding.
The 250W Promovec rear hub motor produces 54 Nm of torque – more than the Claud Butler, less than the Engwes – and the removable 36V battery uses Sanyo cells and can be charged on or off the bike in 4 to 6 hours. Mark2 quotes a range of 36–100 km depending on battery size and how much assistance you use – both frame sizes we sell come with the 375Wh pack, so plan towards the lower end of that. At 22.4 kg with the battery, it's almost as light as the Thor, and the warranty is worth noting: five years on the frame and three on the motor.
The trade-offs: it's the most expensive bike here, and the 375Wh battery is on the smaller side for long, hilly days at high assist. The maximum load is 120 kg, and it comes in Medium (inside leg 28"–35") and Large (30"–37"), so check your inside leg measurement before ordering. Have a look at the Mark2 Scrambler.
Right, Let's Compare What Actually Matters
Here's how the five stack up side by side, using each manufacturer's own figures.
| Model | Best for | Tyres | Suspension | Torque | Brakes | Weight | Price | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engwe EP-2 3.0 Boost | Gravel, grass, coast paths; folds | 20" × 4.0" fat | 50 mm front | 75 Nm | Hydraulic, 180 mm | 32.3 kg | £1,299 | View |
| E-Movement Thor | Bridleways, light and nimble | 27.5" × 2.35" Maxxis | Front, lockable | Not stated | Hydraulic, 160 mm | 22 kg | From £1,299 | View |
| Claud Butler Ridge 1.0 | First off-road e-bike | 27.5" × 2.35" | 120 mm front, lockout | 32 Nm | Mechanical, 160 mm | Not stated | £1,399.99 | View |
| Engwe Engine Pro 3.0 Boost | Rougher ground, most comfort | 20" × 4.0" fat | 50 mm front, 62 mm rear | 90 Nm | Hydraulic, 180 mm | 34.7 kg | £1,699 | View |
| Mark2 Scrambler | Steeper trails, most gears | 27.5" wheels | 120 mm front | 54 Nm | Hydraulic, 180/160 mm | 22.4 kg | £1,799 | View |
Which Off-Road E-Bike Suits Your Riding?
Still weighing it up? Here's the quickest way I know to narrow it down.
If your off-road riding is mostly gravel, grass and coast paths, and you want a bike that folds into the car, the Engwe EP-2 3.0 Boost is the one.
If you want a light, nimble hardtail for bridleways and woodland paths, go for the E-Movement Thor – in a 250W option.
If you're new to off-road riding and your routes are rolling rather than steep, the Claud Butler Ridge 1.0 gives you proper 120 mm suspension without overspending.
If your ground is rough and comfort matters more than weight, the full-suspension Engwe Engine Pro 3.0 Boost is where I'd put my money.
If your rides have proper hills and you want the most capable trail bike here, the Mark2 Scrambler is worth the extra.
And if you're stuck between fat tyres and mountain bike tyres, it usually comes down to this: soft ground and comfort favour fat tyres; hard-packed tracks, climbing and lifting the bike favour the mountain bikes.
A Few Questions That Come Up a Lot
Can I ride an electric bike on a bridleway?
In England and Wales, yes, as long as it meets the EAPC rules – a motor with a continuous rated power of no more than 250W, and assistance that cuts out at 15.5 mph (see the throttle note above). In law it's then treated like a pedal bike, so you can use bridleways, restricted byways and byways open to all traffic. You must give way to walkers and horse riders on bridleways. You can't ride on public footpaths.
Do I need a licence for an off-road electric bike?
Not for an EAPC like the bikes in this guide – no licence, tax or insurance needed, though you must be 14 or over. An electric dirt bike or any e-bike that doesn't meet the EAPC rules is different. It's treated as a motorcycle or moped, so it needs to be registered, taxed and insured, and you need a driving licence to ride it on a public road. Without those, it's private land only.
Are fat tyres better than mountain bike tyres off-road?
Neither is better across the board. Fat tyres are better on sand, soft mud and loose gravel, and they're more comfortable. Mountain bike tyres on bigger wheels roll faster on firm tracks and handle roots and ruts more precisely. Our fat tyre vs electric mountain bike guide goes through it properly.
Will riding off-road reduce my range?
Usually, yes. Soft ground, mud and loose climbs all make the motor work harder than smooth tarmac does. Tip: on a new route, keep an eye on the battery on the way out, and save some for the trip home rather than assuming you'll get the quoted figure.
Are e-bikes OK in mud and rain?
They're built to cope with British weather, and several bikes here publish water-resistance ratings. But no e-bike should be pressure-washed or ridden through deep water. A gentle rinse, a dry and a chain clean after a muddy ride will keep it running well. Our guide to how waterproof e-bikes are covers what's safe and what isn't, and our guide to e-bike puncture myths has more on avoiding flats.
The Honest Bottom Line
Remember those search results from the start – the 5,000W dirt bikes? They're fun, but for most people they're the wrong answer to the question. What most of us actually want is to turn off the road and onto the bridleway, ride the forest track to the next village, or follow the coast path until it runs out – legally, without a licence, and without pushing the bike up the last hill.
That's what the right off-road e-bike does – it opens up all those tracks and lanes you've walked past for years and never ridden. For most people the choice comes down to the ground: fat tyres for comfort and soft ground (the EP-2 3.0 Boost or the Engine Pro 3.0 Boost), mountain bike tyres for firm tracks and climbing (the Thor, the Ridge 1.0 or the Scrambler).
Fancy a browse? Have a look through our fat tyre e-bikes and our electric mountain bikes, or drop us a message on live chat or email with the kind of ground you ride. We'll give you an honest answer about which bike suits it. If you're buying through work, our guide to the financial benefits of the Cycle to Work scheme is worth a read too.
