Illegal e-bikes seized as part of police crackdown

Police have urged people buying e-bikes over Christmas to familiarise themselves with the law after two illegal e-bikes were seized as part of a targeted action.

The operation, which happened in Falmouth, saw Devon and Cornwall Police deploy drones to identify e-bike and e-scooter users.

Officers were subsequently able to approach riders to carry out safety checks and give advice on using them safely and legally, the force said.

One bike had been fitted with an illegal motor allowing the rider to operate it using only a throttle, it added.

Sgt Owen Messenger, roads policing officer for Devon & Cornwall Police, said running the operations was important "to educate and deter their unsafe and illegal use".

"Our focus remains on keeping all riders, road users and other members of the public safe," he said.

The force said it would be carrying out similar activities "into the New Year and beyond".

It said it spoke with 19 riders during the operation, which was led by the Roads Policing team and supported by the Drone Unit and Falmouth Neighbourhood team.

Sgt Messenger added: "If you're looking at buying or gifting an e-scooter or e-bike over the festive season, please make sure know the laws and stick to them.

"If you don't, you could run the risk of it being seized and destroyed."

E-bikes:

You can ride an e-bike without a licence or insurance if you are 14 or over, providing that your e-bike:

• Has pedals that you can use to propel it
• Has a motor with a continuous rated power output of no more than 250 watts
• Does not deliver electrical assistance once you reach 15.5 miles per hour (mph)
• E-bikes cannot be ridden on pavements
• They must only be ridden on cycle paths and anywhere else pedal bikes are allowed

E-scooters:

• E-scooters are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988
• It is illegal to ride an e-scooter on public land, including roads, pavements, cycle lanes, beach promenades, bridleways or any publicly accessible land such as parks and car parks
• You can only use e-scooters on private land with the land owner's permission

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