Nottinghamshire Police have seized over 34 e-bikes for failing to comply with the law since last November.

Neighbourhood officers are using new technology to test speed levels of ‘overpowered’ private e-bikes exceeding the legal limit in Operation Wrangel.

As a result, 24 riders are now facing court proceedings for having no licence or insurance for their motor vehicles.

Under UK laws, e-bikes are legal to use but are prohibited from exceeding 15.5 miles per hour (25kmph) speed limit when ridden in public areas.

Nottinghamshire Police state that riders are illegally modifying their e-bikes with higher-powered motors and batteries, exceeding the legal output of 250 watts enabling the vehicle to travel faster, putting pedestrians at risk.

This has been welcomed by members of the public in the city centre today who reacted to the crackdown.

Janet Pavier,74, from Nottinghamshire urges the police to remove modifications of e-bikes.

Janet Pavier, age 74 from Nottinghamshire agrees with the scheme.

She said: “The rules are rules we can’t go over a certain speed limit in a car so why should they break the rules.

“The police should crack down and take these modifications off their e-bikes and let them use more pedal power.”

Students Emirah Burnett (on the left), Oliver Tyler (in the middle) and Harry Bott (on the right) have mixed opinions on the crackdown of e-bikes.

Student Oliver Tyler,18, from Nottingham said: “The illegal ones I understand because some of them just go too fast and some of them are used for illegal activities which is probably known.”

Emirah Burnett,17, from Nottingham understands the ban and said: “I get it because if they can’t be insured and obviously sometimes you can’t see them coming.”

He continues: “But they are a good way to get around, they’re efficient and they’re cheap and they sell them in stores. So if you walk into Currys and buy one but you can only ride it on your own private land it doesn’t make much sense.”

Harry Bott,17, said: “I seen them racing buses into town but it doesn’t bother me really it’s not my issue but if the police want to crackdown on it’s up them.”

Rebbeca Barrowcliffe,40, from Risley said: “I think it’s a good idea because quite a lot of people are riding around irresponsibly, they are not necessarily paying attention to their full surroundings when they are riding them.”

She continues: “I have experienced this personally and when I have been with mum who has difficulty walking we’ve had to move out of the way for them which isn’t the easiest thing for her to do.

So actually I think it’s good because people need to be a little bit more aware and more present in the moment rather than thinking I need to get to A-to-B as quickly as possible.”

Neighbourhood officers are using a compact dynamometer tool, designed by a Swiss manufactory, to stop and monitor riders in the city centre.

Riders are at risk of having their electric vehicles seized if their vehicles do not conform to Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC) regulations.

If an e-bike fails to meet the EAPC specific requirements it no longer treated as a normal pedal bike and is classified a motor cycle requiring a driving license to ride one, insurance and the rider must wear a helmet.

Sergeant Dan Butler leads Operation Wrangel and said numbers are continuing to rise as more enforcement days are held to combat non-compliance.

He said: “The public can except to see various operations targeting two-wheeled vehicles over the coming months and beyond, to provide a visible presence and disrupt offenders.”

The new policing initiative hopes to respond to the publics growing safety concern over reckless riders in known hotspots including Old Market Square, Hockley, Trinity Square and Milton Street.

Here is a criteria for EAPC’s regulations defining e-bikes that are legal to ride in public spaces without a license or insurance if the rider is over the age of 14.

These are the following:

  • The motor must have a maximum output of 250 watts
  • The motor must only assist while pedalling (not via a ‘twist and go’ throttle/accelerator)
  • The electric motor must disengage once the bike reaches 15.5 mph (25kmph)
  • The bike must display manufacturer information, battery details, maximum speed, and power output, either on a securely fitted plate or clearly marked on the frame.