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E-Bikes & E-Scooters. What we're doing. |
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Dear Residents, We wanted to update you on what we have been doing to tackle reckless E-bike and E-scooter use. Our currently running Operation Frostwatch has dedicated traffic officers with the capability to pursue and safely stop riders who fail to stop and who pose a risk to the public. Over the past three weeks we have seized 19 illegal bikes and scooters, all now destined for destruction. They are very often ridden by people wearing face coverings, attempting to evade police and behaving suspiciously. Each rider is then summonsed to court for Riding with no insurance and riding while otherwise in accordance with a Driving licence if one is not held. Where there is reckless riding, we have been prosecuting each rider for this also!
We recognise that E-bikes and E-scooters are a significant concern for many of you. They are frequently used by offenders in robberies and violent crime and are often ridden recklessly, at excessive speed, putting young people, elderly residents and other road users at risk, as well as making people feel vulnerable going about their day-to-day lives.
In law, most of these E-bikes and E-scooters are treated as motor vehicles. They cannot be insured, and are therefore illegal to use on roads and in public places. Not just that, they offer a huge fire risk with the Lithium batteries posing a fire hazard if wired incorrectly or damaged. (See photo below) A small number of electrically assisted pedal cycles, which require pedalling and meet strict technical requirements, are legal. However, we are finding that around 99% of the bikes and scooters we stop are illegal. The bikes and scooters operated by licensed companies such as Lime or Forest are legal as they comply with the relevant regulations.
We will continue to take robust action against those who use these vehicles illegally and put our communities at risk.
Kind Regards & Seasons Greetings, Sergeant Matt Bower.
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