BBC Breakfast item today on illegally modded ebikes

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captain nemo1701

Space cadet. Deck 42 Main Engineering.
Location
Bristol
Anyone catch this?. I saw the first report but they said they'd be talking about ebikes later but I had to leave for work. Must say after the last few years of having those fat tire numbers shoot past me on cycle paths, often at about 30mph uphill not pedaling, weaving in/out of pedestrians in central Bristol, some going faster than actual motorbikes on the road, watching a few get their collars felt made me feel oddly warm inside :okay:
 

raleighnut

Legendary Member
Back in the 70's loads of us had 'field bikes', generally mopeds or small capacity motorbikes that we rode around farm lanes or the local quarry*.
These high powered e-bikes just seem a new version of this, no doubt 'older folks' were just as pished off by us back then.

* even Allan Millyard did it but being him he grafted a Mini 850 engine into a BSA Bantam frame..............by his own account it was lethal.
 

classic33

Leg End Member
What West Yorkshire Police class as a legal e-bike. It has pedals.
IMG_20250423_145909_372~2.jpg
 

T4tomo

Legendary Member
Back in the 70's loads of us had 'field bikes', generally mopeds or small capacity motorbikes that we rode around farm lanes or the local quarry*.
These high powered e-bikes just seem a new version of this, no doubt 'older folks' were just as pished off by us back then.
Err.... but we weren't riding them down the pavement or the high street or delivering pizza on them.
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
Good.

I believe delivery companies are the primary cause of the rise of the use of illegal e-bikes and e-motorbikes, lets keep the message simple that these companies need to take responsibility for the illegal actions their employees take.

The delivery companies made a statement, but it was clear that they didn't give a damn. If I look at all the delivery bikes I see, I recon maybe 5% at most are normal bikes, the rest are modified.
 

raleighnut

Legendary Member
Good.

I believe delivery companies are the primary cause of the rise of the use of illegal e-bikes and e-motorbikes, lets keep the message simple that these companies need to take responsibility for the illegal actions their employees take.

Here's an idea, get the police to sit outside the kitchens where they're cooked (they don't actually come from the takeaways they perport to be from) and check every bike that comes to collect. Win Win the illegal bikes are seized and people don't get their food, that should make 'deliveroo' sit up and take notice................The legal riders would be OK still though
 

wiggydiggy

Legendary Member
The delivery companies made a statement, but it was clear that they didn't give a damn. If I look at all the delivery bikes I see, I recon maybe 5% at most are normal bikes, the rest are modified.

Absolutely. They need to be held to account.

Here's an idea, get the police to sit outside the kitchens where they're cooked (they don't actually come from the takeaways they perport to be from) and check every bike that comes to collect. Win Win the illegal bikes are seized and people don't get their food, that should make 'deliveroo' sit up and take notice................The legal riders would be OK still though

A great idea, all it needs is some motivated police forces to do so.
 

ianrauk

Tattooed Beat Messiah
Location
Rides Ti2
In South East London on my commute, hooky e-bikes out number normal cycles. Only yesterday whilst cycling in London, one passed me on a segregated cycle path on the A200, I was doing 19mph (I checked) he shot past me as if I was standing still.
 
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