The UK Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) and Bicycle Association (BA) have recently posted another bit of PR about this year's problem. One of a long line of things like minimotos, pitbikes, segways, electric skateboards and microscooters, hoverboards. These things don't fit into the UK legal framework so are not road legal. But they're powered vehicles so they're not off road legal in public places either.
It's a rant about the scourge of illegally powerful electric bicycles, especially German legal S-Pedelecs being sold as "Off Road only". And people buying them and then riding them on the road without full Moped or Lightweight motorcycle legality of MOT, Testing, Insurance, licenses, reg plates and so on.
http://www.mcia.co.uk/About/News/Article/Electric-bicycles-and-mopeds-there-are-no-grey-areas.aspx
http://www.mcia.co.uk/Press-and-Statistics/Press-Releases/Article/Electric-bicycles-and-mopeds-there-are-no-grey-areas.aspx
Stealthbikes don't get specifically mentioned although they did display at the recent Excel Bicycle Show.
I've got some lengthy replies and have engaged with them on facebook, but I'm not getting much response beyond marketing flack.
The Motorcycle Industry Association
There's an obvious argument that increased speed makes it more important to have training, helmets, roadworthiness testing and so on. However, most people can mange 20mph on a bicycle for short distances or downhill. And while 20mph feels fast it doesn't start feeling dangerous till 30mph or so.
And it does raise the question again of whether there should be a utility vehicle class between the 15mph e-bicycle and the 30mph moped.