Police seize illegal e-bike modified to go 62mph

An illegal e-bike modified to hit speeds of 62mph (92.7kmh) has been seized by police on Merseyside alongside more than 500 unregistered two-wheel vehicles this year.

The region's police force said there had been a "sharp rise" in crimes including drug supply, robberies, and violence where electric motorbikes, scooters, scrambler bikes and electric pedal bikes had been used.

Merseyside Police has since launched Operation Gears to crack down on the problem and has urged the public to make sure they understand the law around using e-bikes.

Inspector James May said "fast and heavy" bikes designed for use on private land are creating serious hazards in pedestrianised areas.

"Members of the public can't walk around the streets safely and they feel intimidated when these people are riding around, particularly with their faces covered or they're wearing balaclavas," he said.

Insp May said one of the seized bikes had been modified with a battery pack, a throttle and a power wheel replacing the chain, meaning it was capable of being powered by the motor alone.

He said officers had conducted tests and found it reached a top speed of 62mph, and any pedestrian struck at such high speeds "could be killed".

Supt Phil Mullally said any parents in the region who are planning to buy an e-bike for their child to "really consider" if it is suitable.

"What we see is not only the illegal use in terms of the Road Traffic Act but also their use in serious criminality," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

He said the campaign was about targeting criminals rather than "law-abiding members of the public", with the vehicles used in offences involving firearms, drugs and robberies.

Supt Mullally said they were an "enabler to some of that serious criminality" and urged people to secure their e-bikes as many were being stolen to be used in crime.

In the UK, e-bikes are legal to ride for people over the age of 14 if the motor has a maximum output of 250 watts and only assists when the rider is pedalling - not with a 'twist-and-go' throttle or accelerator.

E-bikes must also have motors that cut out when the bike reaches 15.5 mph (25 km/h), and must have details of the manufacturer and specifications displayed on the frame.

Bikes that are more powerful are classed as electric mopeds or electric motorbikes and are governed by stricter laws on licensing, helmets and registration.

Electric scooters are only legal to ride on private land, apart from in areas with specially designated trial schemes for rental e-scooters provided by licensed companies, such as Voi in Liverpool.

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