How would you prove that an e-bike was being ridden illegally? There is no speed restriction that can be applied to bicycles as they are not motor vehicles, so if an e-bike is being ridden at above the 15mph limit applied to them but not using the electric motor, no crime has been committed. I’m talking about an e-bike here, not an electric moped which is what some of the faster and more powerful of these things techically are, restricted to 30mph. E-Bikes are governed to not exceed 15mph, though the governers can easily be removed by owners, but since a bicycle, including an e-Bike, does not need to be fitted with a speedometer, how is the rider expected to be aware of his speed and hence to control it, given that an e-Bike can easily achieve over 15mph downhill or with a following wind under pedal power alone. How would you prove it was being propelled by the electric motor, and if it is being motored and pedeallesd simultaneously, how many mph would you attribute to the electric motor? It is clearly impracticable to charge an e-Bike rider with riding at 20mph when he’s just been passed by a pedal-biker legally doing 25!
Of course it is also deeply unfair that a cyclist found guilty of committing a traffic offence on his/her bike can be given points on their driving license if they have one, and even disqualified if they amass enough points in this way, while a cyclist without a driving license is merely fined and sent on his way…
A lot of bicycle law is vague and contradicts itself, and there are many grey areas. It does no constructive good if the local 5-0 mount an operation where they target ‘kids on e-Bikes’, ignoring the abysmal observance of law by food delivery riders many of whom have not mastered the basics of riding a two-wheeled vehicle, and the kids are all then discharged by the magistrate on the advice of a tolerably knowledgable brief.
This is not to suggest that e-Bike riders do not engage in anti-social behaviour or use their bikes to commit crimes, but that it is counterproductive to assume that any group of kids arseing about on e-Bikes are committing any offence that can be quantitatively proven, especially speeding!
A lot of anger is caused by these people, some of it to me, but in the light of this it should in fairness be mentioned that I was once booked for speeding on a drop-handlebar push-bike in Barry, the copper claiming I was doing 50 down a hill in a 30mph limit (and I most likely was). He also booked me for not having a speedo, or lights during day-time, being of the opinion that I was required to have these on a push-bike. I went to Barry majistrate’s court, where I was given an unconditional discharge and an apology for the inconvenience…
All push-bikes must be sold with a front and real reflector, but there is no legal requirement for these to be carried after the sale. Many bike lights are illegal, being much brighter and safer than the British Standard the law requires, and there is still no legal requirement to display lit lights while the bike is stationary at night. Riding on pavements is illegal unless the bike is a toy; define toy (Big Wheel is obviously a toy, but what about a 24" wheel mountain bike?). All bicycles in the UK are required to carry an ‘audible means of warning of their approach’, but does this mean a bell, for which there are no accepted loudness or tone standards, or can you just shout ‘coming through’? Nobody knows.
One assumes that the more overtly dangerous riders will be taken out by the usual Darwin Award mechanisms sooner or later.
