WFSGI MAGAZINE 2025Â
E-Bike Racing
WFSGI - Playing a vital role in the future of E-BIKE RACING
E-bike racing
from playground to podium
The cycling industry is experiencing a significant shift towards e-bikes
It is projected that EPACs (Electrically Power Assisted Cycles) will represent 70% of industry turnover by 2028. This movement has highlighted the urgent need for proper regulations in e-bike racing, as clear guidelines in this emerging sector have been lacking. Michelle Smyth, Head of International Sport and Cycling, successfully guided WFSGI members and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) to deliver updated regulations for the discipline in line with advances in technology.
What is e-bike racing?
E-bike racing, or electric bike racing, is a relatively new race format using e-bikes to combine human ‘power’ with electric motor assistance. Until now, e-bike racing has been primarily concentrated in the discipline of mountain biking. Athletes use pedal-assist bikes, where the motor supports pedalling up to 25 km/h – thus striking a unique balance between physical effort, technology, and engineering. Because of the combination of physical and motor power, e-bike riders can push the limits of their technical skills on impossibly steep climbs and thrilling descents over longer distances.
The growth of e-bike racing
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) officially recognized e-bike racing by introducing the E-Mountain Bike (E-MTB) World Championships in 2019 in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada, as part of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. Since then, e-bike racing has become increasingly popular, with various formats emerging across different disciplines, including enduro and cross-country mountain biking and even road cycling.
As the popularity of e-bikes continues to rise, more racing series and events have been established worldwide. For instance, the EWS-E (Enduro World Series – Electric) was launched in 2020, featuring multi-stage races designed specifically for electric mountain bikes.
But a lack of clear regulation has been the cause of confusion among WFSGI cycling industry members, and the evolution of e-bike racing has been accompanied by ongoing discussions about regulations, fairness, and the sensitive balance between human power and electric assistance.
WFSGI: A vital industry representative
The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI), represented by Michelle Smyth, Head of International Sports & Cycling, has played a pivotal role in developing updated e-bike racing regulations, which were published in January of this year.Â
Acting as a bridge between the industry and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), WFSGI helped form an EPAC Working Group in 2023, of drive unit manufacturers, to draft proposed regulatory changes
The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI), represented by Michelle Smyth, Head of International Sports & Cycling, has played a pivotal role in developing updated e-bike racing regulations, which were published in January of this year.Â
The group worked to ensure that the voices of both WFSGI members and the governing body were heard. Over a two-year period, the group met monthly. Navigating competing brand interests and protecting intellectual property required careful negotiation, and WFSGI’s leadership was crucial in finding common ground.
The result of this collaboration between WFSGI members and a governing body demonstrates how meaningful change in sports regulations can be achieved, in this case resulting in the first major change to the regulations for the sport of e-bike racing since its inception.
A collaborative effort among competitors
The creation of e-bike racing regulations is a testament to the industry’s ability to collaborate despite fierce competition. Major players like Bosch and SRAM set aside rivalries to focus on the broader goal of advancing the sport. The contributions of members, alongside the expertise of veterans such as Bernhard Johanni, Director of Product Development Europe at SRAM, ensured that the regulations were both practical and forward-thinking. This effort followed a systematic approach, addressing key aspects such as system definitions, regulations, racing, and testing protocols.
The WFSGI’s EPAC working group, in collaboration with the UCI, has successfully established regulations for e-bike racing. EPACs, or Electrically Power Assisted Cycles, feature a motor that aids riders up to 25 km/h, as defined by EU guidelines. These bikes are widely used in e-Mountain Bike (e-MTB) racing. The working group’s primary goal was to create fair and equal competition by addressing the performance impact of both riders and motorised bikes, along with external factors like course design.
A critical consideration was ensuring race bikes match retail models, maintaining market accessibility and avoiding the creation of exclusive competition-specific product. With growing interest in EPAC races, the urgency to establish practical regulations increased. Under Michelle Smyth’s leadership, the group held regular online meetings resulting in regulations for a fair sport in a very short time, which can also be checked relatively easily at races without the need for large additional technical components for monitoring. This streamlined approach avoided potential interference with engine control systems and associated liability challenges, ensuring fairness and practicality in EPAC racing.
New regulations to shape the future
The new EPAC regulations aim to simplify the sport while encouraging grassroots participation. A key update includes the introduction of a drive unit ‘white list,’ enabling any bike equipped with approved systems to compete.
These changes ensure a user-friendly setup, reducing barriers for newcomers. By embracing industry insights, the UCI developed a regulatory framework that addressed manufacturers’, consumers’, and athletes’ needs. Adopted in Zurich in September 2024, these rules lay the foundation for innovative race formats, broader inclusivity, and future evolution within the sport.
The new regulations were designed by looking at the trajectory of the e-bike market segment and rethinking the approach to the regulations. The common denominator between all EPAC bicycles is the drive unit. By focusing on the approval of this component, as opposed to the bicycle as a complete system, it has been possible to create strong foundations for the evolution of emerging disciplines whilst simplifying the application of racing rules.
Racing drives technological advancement. One of the roles of the UCI is to provide a framework for competition by creating parameters within which manufacturers can innovate. Grassroots to elite EPAC competitions now have a simplified process to increase participation and create interesting race formats. The balance between fair play and scope for innovation has been respected thanks to the hard work and investment of all stakeholders. The future of EPAC competition is bright, and this innovative, simplified approach now provides a platform for its growth.
Overcoming challenges and looking ahead
The road to regulation was not without hurdles. Balancing (muscular) rider power with motor assistance required nuanced solutions, while concerns about mechanical doping and brand competition demanded careful negotiation.
However, these challenges were met with an industry-wide commitment to collaboration and progress. The new regulations represent a milestone, paving the way for e-bike racing to align with broader physical activity agendas and appeal to a wider audience.
As the sport evolves, ongoing collaboration between the WFSGI, UCI, event organisers, the media, and industry leaders will ensure that e-bike racing remains dynamic, competitive, and accessible for years to come.
Contact
Michelle Smyth
WFSGI Head of International Sports and Cycling
msmyth@wfsgi.org