12 illegal e-bikes seized in crackdown on dangerous riders in Birmingham
A dozen more illegal e-bikes have been confiscated in two hours from riders in Birmingham city centre to protect pedestrians in a new police crackdown.
West Midlands Police said officers intercepted the riders in Birmingham and tested their bikes to see if they had been illegally modified, before seizing and crushing the machines, which had been modified.
An e-scooter which was being ridden illegally was also seized during the operation on Thursday (March 12).
Under regulations illegally modified bikes are in the same category as motorbikes, and those riders were handed penalty tickets for offences including driving without a licence and having no valid insurance.
Sergeant Matthew King, from the Birmingham city centre policing team, said: “It was great to get so many bikes in such a short time and the vehicles will now be crushed as they can’t be ridden legally anywhere in public.
“We’ve seen a reduction in the numbers of e-bikes since we started this operation last year, but there are still some people who’ve clearly not got the message.
“We will continue to act against those who put people at risk in the city centre. Our work with partners is turning the city centre into a no-go zone for illegal e-bikes now.”
Pete Ash, Central Business Improvement District operations manager, said: “We had numerous comments from members of the public and local businesses saying how good it was to see everyone out on the streets, and how much safer it made them feel.
“Over the last 12 months, we’ve noticed a reduction in these bikes operating in the area.
E-bikes themselves are not illegal, but police said many have been dangerously modified to go far faster than they should.
They are often ridden on pavements or dumped in public spaces, creating a hazard for pedestrians.
