Drivers face police 'seizing' vehicle because of little-known 55mph mistake
E-bikes are being seized in London as riders illegally modify speeds to 70mph - 55mph over the speed limit - to steal phones from pedestrians. The number of modified e-bikes on the capital’s roads is soaring and, under UK law, e-bike motors must cut out when a speed of 15.5mph is reached.
Forces across the UK confiscated 937 e-bikes in the year to August 11, according to Freedom of Information (FoI) figures. That is compared with 511 during the previous 12 months. City of London Police confiscated 295 in the year to August 11, more than any other force.
Acting Sergeant Chris Hook, who is part of the leadership team within the force’s cycle unit established in July 2023, explained that a “broad spectrum” of people ride illegally modified e-bikes, such as commuters, food delivery workers and criminals snatching phones.
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He said: “The high speed and power of these vehicles means they’re ideal for riders to come in, take the phone and get away before the victim knows what’s happened.” He said: “The heaviest one I’ve seen was in excess of 50kg. That bike (could reach over) 60mph.
“If that impacts with somebody, it’s likely to cause either serious injury or, God forbid, death.” Acting Sgt Hook said people caught riding an illegally adapted e-bikes could face prosecution for a variety of offences such as not having insurance and number plates.
This “keeps them and the public safe”, and going beyond that “doesn’t feel reasonable”, he added. Tanya Braun, director of policy and communications at walking charity Living Streets, said illegally modified e-bikes used on pavements “pose the same danger and provoke the same fear as a motorbike coming up alongside a pedestrian”.
She stressed the need for “properly resourcing community policing” to support enforcement of e-bike laws, and for awareness of the safety hazard the vehicles create so users “know what it is they are buying”