Police in Sheffield city centre have seized 50 illegal e-bikes and five electric scooters in a major crackdown on dangerous vehicles.
The seizures mark a significant milestone in the neighbourhood policing team’s efforts to remove potentially dangerous machines from the streets.
The operation targeted vehicles exceeding legal speed limits and those being operated unlawfully in public spaces.
Officers have been focusing on both illegally modified e-bikes and e-scooters being ridden through busy areas of the city centre.
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Police seized dozens of illegal e-bikes during special operation
SOUTH YORKSHIRE POLICE
The enforcement action comes as part of a wider initiative to improve safety for pedestrians and other road users in Sheffield’s city centre.
Under UK law, electric bikes must not exceed a maximum speed of 15.5mph when the electric motor is providing assistance.
Any e-bike that surpasses this speed limit is legally classified as a motor vehicle. Once classified as a motor vehicle, the e-bike must be registered, insured and taxed. The rider must also possess a valid driving licence and wear an appropriate helmet.
Electric scooters face even stricter regulations, being prohibited from use on public roads, cycle lanes and pavements.
These powered transporters can only be legally operated on private land with explicit permission from the landowner.
The law also stipulates that riders must be at least 14 years old to operate an electric bike. “Some of the e-bikes we have taken into our possession have the potential to reach speeds of 40mph,” said Sergeant Simon Pickering of Sheffield’s city centre NPT team.
“This puts pedestrians going about their daily business in danger, and we won’t hesitate to exercise our power and seize these illegally modified bikes and scooters.”
Pickering warned that both e-bikes and e-scooters have the capacity to cause serious injury to riders and pedestrians if used unsafely.
The police team has developed specialist knowledge to identify illegal vehicles.“The fact we have seized a total of around 55 shows that we won’t hesitate to act against riders who are breaking the law and putting other people in danger,” Pickering added.
Officers are prepared to explain the law to riders when stopping suspected illegal vehicles. Electric bikes that meet standard requirements are classified as ‘electrically assisted pedal cycles’ and do not require licensing, registration, tax or insurance.
To qualify as an EAPC, the bike must have functional pedals and display both the power output and manufacturer details of the motor.
The electric motor must not exceed 250 watts in power output.Any e-bike that fails to meet these requirements is legally classified as a motorcycle or moped.
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These non-compliant vehicles require full registration and tax documentation. Riders of non-compliant e-bikes must possess a driving licence and wear a crash helmet. The bike must also have received type approval from the manufacturer or importer before sale, indicated by a plate showing its approval number.
Police can issue fines to riders or parents of underage users found operating illegal vehicles. “Together, we can make Sheffield city centre a safer place for everyone to live, work and visit,” Pickering added.
The police team encourages members of the public to engage with officers about concerns regarding illegal e-bikes and scooters.