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Police catch more than 30 illegally modified e-bikes

Debbie Tubby
BBC News, Norfolk
Reporting fromNorwich
Neve Gordon-Farleigh
BBC News, Norfolk
Shaun Whitmore/BBC A police officer is looking at a black bike. He is stood next to the bike and is wearing a black police uniform and hat.Shaun Whitmore/BBC
Norfolk Police said it would seize the equipment and riders faced prosecution

A police force cracking down on illegally modified electric bikes said it had already seized more than 30 so far this year.

Norfolk Police decided to take action in October 2024 as a result of complaints from members of the public.

According to the government, electric bikes must meet set criteria or they will be classed as a motorcycle or mopeds and will need to be registered, taxed and insured.

Sgt Chris Clay said: "It's definitely grown into a problem and we are keen to get on top of the problem before it gets any worse... they [e-bikes] clearly pose a risk to members of the public."

Shaun Whitmore/BBC Sgt Chris Clay. A man who is looking at the camera and smiling. He is a police officer who is dressed in a black police uniform with a coat. He is also wearing a police hat and is standing outside a church. Shaun Whitmore/BBC
Sgt Chris Clay said electric bikes could be a safety risk

Sgt Clay added said some bikes were modified by the rider to make them more like motor vehicles.

"We are looking at what speed they are capable of going at, what power has their motor got, have they got throttles on them that are out of the specification... and have they got the right markings on them," he explained.

If a bike was deemed illegal, it was seized and the rider faced charges for riding without insurance.

E-bike or moped?

The government has set out rules to help riders class their bike.

If the bike meets the following specifications, then tax, insurance and a driving licence will be needed:

  • Can be propelled at more than 15.5mph (25km/h) by the motor
  • Has a continuous rated power output higher than 250 watts
  • Does not have pedals that can propel it
Shaun Whitmore/BBC Tim Gregory, a man who is looking at the camera and smiling and is wearing a blue pair of glasses. He is wearing a blue hoodie with the logo of his business on in yellow writing. Shaun Whitmore/BBC
Tim Gregory said a legal electric bike would have a sticker on it showing it had been built within legal requirements

Tim Gregory, who runs Smilebikes in Norwich, advised people wanting to purchase an electric bike to make sure it was bought from somewhere reputable.

He said a legal bike would have a sticker on it, saying it was an electrically assisted pedal cycle (EAPC).

He said bikes with added batteries or motors usually could not take extra weight or speed and the brake system could not cope.

"You go into the local cities, the local towns and unfortunately you see illegal bikes everywhere," he added.

"A lot of it is delivery drivers. I have sympathy for that; they have to make a living and they need to make as many deliveries as possible, but this isn't the way - it's not legal."

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