Police forces cracking down on illegally modified electric bikes have reported a surge in seizures of “dangerous” vehicles in the past year, an investigation has found.
In the year to Aug. 11, forces have confiscated 937 e-bikes, compared with 511 e-bikes during the previous 12 months.
The information, provided by 27 out of 46 police forces was obtained by the PA news agency under a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
The reported figures relate to both all e-bike and illegal e-bike seizures. While some forces didn’t provide the requested data, the overall rise in e-bike confiscation was at 83 percent.
The surge includes the e-bikes confiscated by City of London Police in the year to August. The force reported 295 confiscations, the largest number than all other police units that provided data to PA.
The City of London Police’s Cycle Response Unit has seized one illegal e-bike or e-scooter every day since it was formed in July 2023.
The force has warned that if caught, riders of these vehicles can expect to have them seized and, depending on the offence, receive a fine of £300.
“We know most people behave responsibly. But the City of London Police will engage with those who do not and seek to educate and enforce where necessary - including issuing fixed penalty fines and seizing illegal e-bikes and e-scooters,” said chair of the City of London Police Authority Board, Tijs Broeke, in a statement.
Faster and More Dangerous
Illegally modified e-bikes have a motor greater than 250 watts and allow riders to not use the pedals to trigger power assistance.Legal e-bikes have an electric motor with a maximum of 250 watts and can reach a maximum speed of 15.5 mph. These vehicles have become increasingly popular in recent years owing to their convenience.
However, the use of illegally modified e-bikes is raising concerns over their safety for pedestrians and riders.
Modifications effectively turn the e-bikes into motorbikes, which require road insurance and a driving license for a rider.
Tanya Braun, director of policy and communications at walking charity Living Streets, said that illegally modified e-bikes “pose the same danger and provoke the same fear as a motorbike coming up alongside a pedestrian.”
Pedestrians, including children, disabled people, and those living with sight loss, are particularly vulnerable, Braun told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement.
“The speed, acceleration, and lack of sound produced by e-bikes can cause alarm, especially when they are used on pavements.
“Pavements are for people, but more and more people are using e-bikes on them,” she said.
Commenting on e-bike seizures, Chief Superintendent Rob Atkin of City of London Police said in a statement that one of the confiscated vehicles could reach a speed of 56 mph.
“We are addressing a number of complaints from members of the public who have voiced concerns about these vehicles. Some people have told us that they have nearly been hit and have seen riders mount pavements and run through red lights,” he said.
The police have also warned that hacked e-bikes are often used by their riders to snatch phones and for other crime.
“The number of phones stolen rose sharply in 2022 during the summer months, when visitors to the city would have their mobiles in their hands to seek directions or hire rides,” City of London police said.
Adding an electric motor to bicycles can be dangerous and lead to fires from faulty batteries. Amid these concerns, London Fire Brigade has been running its Charge Safe campaign to raise awareness of the fire risks.
“Not all of conversion kits are sold with a battery or charger. The battery or charger then must be purchased separately, sometimes from a different seller with the risk of the charger not being compatible and increasing the fire risk,” the service has warned.
Braun has also called for more awareness of the dangers posed by hacked e-bikes, so that people know what it is they are buying.
