PHONE-snatch criminals are running amok on 70mph e-bikes — with cops fighting a “losing battle” to stop them, police have warned.

Officers say the menace is so widespread — and the bulky, pimped-up two-wheelers so fast — it is difficult for over-worked units to keep up or stop them.

Read more: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/30580173/cops-phone-snatch-crooks-e-bikes/

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31 Comments

  1. Screw thieves but the e-bike legislation should be changed. For once taking inspiration from the US would be great. In most US states the speed limit for e-bikes is 20 MPH and you can use a throttle (Class 2) and the power limit is 750 W.
    It should be the same in the UK and in the EU as well. Or maybe 30 KPH but something akin to the one in the US. That would make a lot of people swap from cars to e-bikes. The biggest issue with bicycles is the acceleration from a standstill and that's where the throttle would really help, especially if you're physically challenged for whatever reason. Age, disability or whatever.

  2. A lot of people want stop for someone waving them down because they could be criminals trying to steal your bike, the police officer should know that.

  3. It is a joke and same story in Ireland and few other countries but problem is not a size of your motor and watts etc. All we need is online system like with drone operators where you have to get license sticker on your bike with numbers similar to number plates on car.

  4. The never ending problem: the police is always 2 steps behind criminals. No surprise there, if a problem is solved, the criminals find another way around it. It's a tough job and very difficult to keep up with those who don't have to abide by rules or laws. Don't envy them, small steps are better than no steps.

    On a separate note: do I think e-bikes are a problem? For sure. Not only the illegal ones that were seized during this video, but the rest as well. People have a hard time riding regular bikes within rules and regulations, now you add electric power into the mix, the result will be even more danger to both rider and his surrounding. I get it, life keeps speeding up and you have technology to assist you, why wouldn't you use them?

    But do you guys know what's an even bigger problem? The fact that these cops are riding regular bikes and e-scooters. Man, if there was ever a bad idea, putting electric motors on these bloody scooters was surely one. Tiny wheels with lots of power, bad steering and practically zero brakes? The amount of accidents I've seen on these is mind boggling, yet, they are everywhere.

    I used to ride a motorbike, I rode years on my regular mountain bike and also drive a car. I wish people would understand the different perspectives on the road because it could save so many lives… just a few things to keep in mind and everybody would be safer:

    – if you can't see me, I can't see you.
    – traffic lights are for everyone using the road (it's for your own safety)
    – if you're making a turn/shortcut/weave in a way that is not expected, make sure you're safe to do so
    – select your speed accordingly (if you can't stop in an emergency, guess what, there's nothing to protect your body other than your helmet)
    – forget headphones. You need all of your senses to ride on the road!
    – maintenance! If your brake fails, your organs might will too in an accident.
    – safety gear (I hope this is self explanatory)
    – lights – the more you're seen, the less likely somebody will miss spotting you on the road (especially on a cloudy/rainy day)
    – lastly, understanding traffic. If you're coming up to a tricky corner/crossing, don't risk it, take precaution. If you're coming up to a car that drove past you irresponsibly, don't charge at him, give him space and let him go. If you're going fast, try thinking ahead further than usual (will I be able to stop if somebody steps down on the road at the zebra crossing when his light is red?) Avoid overtaking in unusual situations/unlawful ways (like on the wrong side where nobody expects you to be…). Be mindful of children/elderly/handicapped people, they move and behave unpredictably through no fault of their own, you have to keep them safe.

    I know most will not read this in full, but I wanted this off my chest. Thanks if you still got to the end.

  5. so here we have it the the police picking on the general public did anyone else notice the national flag of fascism on sergeant ford I didn't think the police was allowed to make open political statements endorsing political messages.
    also Mr Ford doesn't know anything about what he's talking about he can not comprehend under amping a motor which is restricting the watt's and free spinning the motor without load.
    will tell you nothing about the speed performance whilst loaded with an individual and when he was talking about lithium batteries that was hilarious when he has at least 5 lithium pouch cells on his body which are the most likely to catch fire mobile phones are more likely to start a house fire.
    i bet sergeant ford was handing out them covid lockdown fines with excited Glee and I'm also betting that he is in the comments.

  6. You need to go after the balaclava snatchers leave the workers alone are you guys scared of the criminals?? Off course you are because the workers are honest and will comply criminals on the other hand won't this country is completely out of control it's better to stop working and just go on the dole is in it ? People are tired of working to pay for hotels for illegal migrants people had enough I'm not paying a cent of tax this year arrest me no problem I'm not doing my tax return anymore I'm going to stop paying all my loans bills etc it's better because clearly in this country right now it's not worth to work anymore when the law protects criminals and actually releases them from prison so they can arrest the hard working members of the public you now what arrest me too it's going to be good not worrying about my next bill or meal not working 7 days a week to pay bills congratulations to all the criminals in this country who run free and do as they please while people like me work hard until exhaustion getting buried in taxes

  7. Ebikes are for old people that find it hard to pedal, 250w pedal assist is enough. The problem is lazy gits that are turning a bicycle into a motorcycle, you should have a license and insurance, number plate. If you want to go 25mph without having to pedal it's a moped. What's wrong with exercise? I have to chuckle when I see a fat kid on an escooter shame on their parents.

  8. This video and these cops are a F….ing JOKE! Basically breaking balls to commuters and people working with the bikes but i haven’t seen them stopping ONE THIEF! This is London 🤡🤡🤡

  9. Just because the Speedo is showing 50+ km per hour with the wheel lifted of the ground, it doesn't mean that it's going to do the same speed when carrying weight and meeting road friction.

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