'No excuse' as e-bike seizures by police quadruple

The number of e-bikes seized by a police force more than quadrupled last year.

Figures released to the BBC by Suffolk Police showed 72 e-bikes were confiscated by the force in 2025, up from 12 in 2024. Six were seized in 2023.

The force said riders caught using an illegal e-bike would initially have it confiscated for 24 hours and if found to be breaking the rules again, they face legal action.

PC Matthew Dilks has seized bikes capable of travelling at speeds of close to 40mph (64km/h). He said the "extra power and that extra speed" the illegal bikes have is the biggest risk, especially to pedestrians.

The government calls legal e-bikes "electrically assisted pedal cycles" (EAPC).

The rules state an EAPC must have pedals that can propel it, the electric motor must not be able to activate when it is travelling at more than 15.5mph (25km/h) and have a continuous rated power output no higher than 250 watts.

If the e-bike doesn't meet these rules it must be taxed, registered and insured, can only be used on roads, requires a driving licence and the rider must wear a helmet.

Dilks said Suffolk Police initially "started with an education phase because there certainly is an amount of ignorance" about e-bikes.

He said the force was happy there was now wider awareness of the rules on e-bikes due to publicity.

"There's certainly no excuse for having a illegal one now," he added.

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