- UK e-bike seizures have surged due to illegal modifications
- Some e-bikes can reach speeds of 70 mph, posing serious danger
- Police report widespread use of illegal e-bikes by various groups
One e-bike seized by police was found to be capable of reaching 70 mph, as concerns grow over the increasing number being modified using cheap conversion kits.
Police seizures of illegally modified electric bikes have soared amid growing fears they are becoming “death traps” for pedestrians and riders, an investigation has found.
Forces across the UK confiscated 937 e-bikes in the year leading up to 11 August, according to Freedom of Information figures – a significant increase compared to 511 recorded in the previous 12 months.
Many of these bikes have been modified to reach much faster speeds. One e-bike recently seized in London was capable of hitting 70 mph and had an electronic display indicating it had covered more than 6,000 miles.
Under UK law, e-bike motors are required to cut out once the speed of 15.5 mph is reached.
It’s common for officers to find e-bikes that can be powered without turning the pedals, effectively transforming them into electric mopeds or motorbikes that must be registered and taxed.
Conversion kits allowing such modifications are available online for as little as £300.
Acting Sergeant Chris Hook, from City of London Police, said the speed and weight of illegally modified e-bikes “massively” increase the danger for pedestrians in the event of a collision.
He said: “The heaviest one I’ve seen was over 50 kg, and that bike could reach over 60 mph. If that hits someone, it’s likely to cause either serious injury or, God forbid, death.”
Acting Sergeant Hook noted that a “broad spectrum” of people ride illegally modified e-bikes, including commuters, food delivery workers, and criminals involved in snatching phones.
In a recent operation outside London’s Liverpool Street railway station, police caught a rider using an illegal e-bike with a motor output of 500 watts, which is double the legal limit. The bike also had severely worn tires and a bundle of loose electric wires stored in a soaking-wet pouch.
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An officer at the scene described the bike as “a death trap” and added, “This could easily kill the rider or someone else.”
Another e-bike seized by police in central London had a 2,000-watt motor and could travel at 73 mph.
Among the police forces seeing the largest year-on-year increases in e-bike seizures were Wiltshire Police (from 24 to 64), Police Scotland (from 60 to 233), Derbyshire Police (from 4 to 23), Northumbria Police (from 18 to 58), and South Wales Police (from 66 to 137).
Some forces clarified that their figures related to all e-bike seizures, while others specified that their data was for illegal e-bikes.
Under UK law, anyone aged 14 or over can ride an e-bike, which doesn’t need to be registered, taxed, or insured.
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