Typical of the British press, Simon Cowell involved in electric bicycle shock horror doesn't give the full story. Here's what he was riding apparently,
Spec,
Optimized 20 kW Sine Wave System The Recon, with it's 20kW power system and Sine Wave controller, it is by far the most powerful electric bike on the planet, hands down. By doubling the power of the Eagle, we were able to develop a system that provided a 20% increase in top speed while simultaneously increasing torque by 100% to a whopping 320 ft-lbs of torque.
Whereas the legal spec for UK e-bikes is "slightly" different ,
The EN15194 regulations stipulate that e-bikes may: Be fitted with a motor with a power of no more than 250w. Provide a maximum assisted speed (i.e. the speed at which motor assistance is automatically cut off) of no more than 25 kmph (roughly 15.5 mph)
Quite a difference between 250w and 20kw.