Police seizures of illegally modified electric bikes (e-bikes) soared in the past year amid concerns their speed and weight present a lethal threat to pedestrians, an investigation has found.

    Forces across the UK confiscated 937 e-bikes in the year to August 11, according to Freedom of Information (FoI) figures obtained by the PA news agency.

    That is compared with 511 during the previous 12 months.

    Under UK law, e-bike motors must cut out when a speed of 15.5mph is reached.

    But police are increasingly finding many have been modified to reach much faster speeds.

    It is also common for officers to find e-bikes that can be powered without the pedals being turned, effectively making them electric mopeds or motorbikes which must be registered and taxed.

    Conversion kits are available online for as little as £300.

    City of London Police recently seized an e-bike capable of reaching 70mph, which featured an electronic display indicating it had covered more than 6,000 miles.

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    32 Comments

    1. So, there's gonn be a huge dip in UBER£JUST EAT/DELIVEROO ETC sale's, dam that's gonna hurt, but also more so If they increase their already ridiculous [ Service charges ] not to mention the Delivery fee and expect punters to guve a tip sometimes BEFORE THE DELIVERY WTF,😳🤯😱

    2. Going to wait longer on your curry delivery now. The bike riders drew attention to themselves by riding on pavements, hitting people, hitting cars as they squeezed through traffic, and turning their bikes into ‘motorbikes’. Just get a moped license.

    3. testing ebike for 15.5 mph threshold is completely unfair if the test is carried out like you see here. the bike carrying no load, just suspended and running the motor is a false test. the roads themselves, the state of them, is the most dangerous thing on the road.

    4. The police have really no control, registration road tax insurance and license, is the answer not controlled in wealthy areas, the roads are unsafe with the un regulated, and irresponsible drivers of these vehicles on public roads and pavements

    5. Holding the back wheel up to test the speed is not accurate.. U will get higher mph, u need some sitting on it and friction of road. Every bike even low power will go over 15mph lifting up back wheel. Void testing.

    6. Good, I'm glad they are doing this. Bikes and scooters shouldn't be faster than a car and shouldn't allow for illegal bs on the streets. Fking get a licence

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