E-bikes seized in London as riders illegally modify speeds to 70mph to steal phones from pedestrians
More than 500 electric bikes were seized last year
PA
The number of electric bikes confiscated by the police force in London has risen to unprecedented heights in the past year, new research has found.
In total, the City of London Police seized 937 e-bikes in the past eight months which have been causing havoc in the capital.
The number of seized bikes is an 83 per cent increase from the previous 12 months recorded where 511 electric bikes were taken.
The City of London Police stated that a large portion of the bikes seized were modified to be powered without the pedals being turned, making them more like mopeds or motorbikes which must be registered and taxed.
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E-bikes seized in London have increased by 83 per cent
PA
Acting Sergeant Chris Hook 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.
"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."
Under UK law, e-bikes cannot exceed 15.5mph and should not be fitted with a power source higher than 250 watts.
If found to exceed this, the police can seize the bike and issue a hefty £300 penalty notice to the rider.
The speed and weight of illegally modified e-bikes have also caused heightened danger for pedestrians involved in collisions with police finding more altered vehicles.
Shockingly, the police recently confiscated an e-bike which had been modified to reach 70mph and had already covered more than 6,000 miles of UK roads.
In August, the police cycle unit revealed it seized over 300 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters since July last year with 1,229 fixed penalty notices issued to riders.
Bill Duffy, Chief Superintendent of the City of London Police, said at the time: "We relaunched the cycle team following concerns from the community around road safety and anti-social behaviour and it has made a huge difference in the City, as one of our units people see on the streets."
He added: "Cycle officers are able to quickly get through areas inaccessible to vehicles and since their relaunch last summer, this team has made a significant difference in reducing anti-social behaviour by road users in the City of London."
Other police forces which have also seen an increase in e-bikes being seized include Wiltshire Police (from 24 to 64), Police Scotland (from 60 to 233), Derbyshire Police (from four to 23), Northumbria Police (from 18 to 58) and South Wales Police (from 66 to 137).
Tijs Broeke, Chair of the City of London Police Authority Board, commented: “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.”
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One rider modified their e-bike to reach speeds of 70mph
PA
Tanya Braun, director of policy and communications at walking charity Living Streets, warned that illegally modified e-bikes “pose the same danger and provoke the same fear as a motorbike coming up alongside a pedestrian”.
She called for “properly resourcing community policing” which can support the enforcement of e-bike laws.
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