16 were seized because they were illegally modified to go much faster than intended
E-bike riders are set to have vehicles CRUSHED with offenders issued court dates for breaking crucial rules. West Midlands Police has been working with Paradise security, as well as Central and Colmore BIDs to understand the concerns of businesses in the area around the use of illegally modified e-bikes.
16 were seized because they were illegally modified to go much faster than intended – up to 40mph in some cases – and no longer met the definition of an electrically assisted pedal cycle (EAPC). All the bikes will now be crushed.
WMP said: “Where appropriate, rider details were checked by immigration officials to ensure they were working legally. Three were arrested for immigration matters
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“It’s one of a number of days of action planned over the coming weeks to make the city centre safer for everyone.” Insp Scott Taylor, from Birmingham Police, said: “Dangerous e-bike use has become a major problem in the city centre – partners, businesses and pedestrians are telling us they feel it’s only a matter of time before someone is killed or seriously injured.
“We’ve been working alongside city centre businesses, including takeaways, delivery companies, the Central Business Improvement District and the city council in recent weeks.
“We’ve been out educating riders on the law and the impact dangerous riding is having on the city centre, and tonight’s operation has seen us step it up a gear and take firm action against those flouting the rules.
“We’d urge anyone who rises an e-bike for work or pleasure in the city centre to make sure they their bike is legal.
“We’ll be taking more action over the coming weeks, so anyone who ignores the law may well find their bike is seized and they are issued with a fine or are given a court date.”
Council director of regulation and enforcement Sajeela Naseer said: “We’re really pleased that we’ve worked so closely with the police to look at appropriate interventions for the safety concerns in Birmingham city centre relating to cycles, e-bikes and other forms of powered transport.
“Clearly the mix of high speed cycles and pedestrians is not always a good one and we need to ensure that people can cycle safely, but also that pedestrians can go about their businesss knowing that they are not going to potentially be knocked over.”