BBC Breakfast item today on illegally modded ebikes

[ebikeerwidnes]

Addemdum to the above

we had a Police rep (not sure of the official term) who used to liase with the school

he often came to the staff room for a cuppa

he - and the senior management always had a meeting with him at the end of the year especially to discuss the kids that were leaving school

they referred to it as handing them over

 

[icowden]

If they really wanted to reduce illegal e-bikes they just need to hang around local fast food joints. Sure, it would reduce Just Eat and Deliveroo to the moped riders, but most of them can also be nicked for parking illegally, driving on pavements etc.

 

[Mike_P]

As commented on the mudane thread comment came across two last evening. One was at a set of cycle stands.
Just needed someone to put a blue and white chain lock around it and the Sheffield stand along with an illegal vehicle sticker.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

If they really wanted to reduce illegal e-bikes they just need to hang around local fast food joints. Sure, it would reduce Just Eat and Deliveroo to the moped riders, but most of them can also be nicked for parking illegally, driving on pavements etc.

I also heard someone saying they had had a "problem" with one of the moped riders and took his reg number

turned out it belonged to a Jag from London!!

 

[Vantage]

If they really wanted to reduce illegal e-bikes they just need to hang around local fast food joints. Sure, it would reduce Just Eat and Deliveroo to the moped riders, but most of them can also be nicked for parking illegally, driving on pavements etc.

But then they'd be going after people just trying to make a living. They're no worse than the endless delivery drivers breaking speed limits etc. Truck drivers were well known for it before speed limiters were out in place.
The police are better off going after real criminals....like I dunno....drivers maybe?
Don't get me wrong, anyone breaking a law needs to be held accountable but the majority of ebikes seized are no doubt owned by people who aren't fleeing the police. How else would they be caught?
If Tyrone is caught speeding alone the footpath knocking people left and right then yep, get the little bas***d but auntie Mavis using a throttle because her legs are borked isn't exactly a high risk to anyone.
Once an ebike is paid for there are virtually no other running costs. Mopeds and motorbikes etc all require VED, insurance, mots, petrol etc. Some people just can't afford those things. Worth thinking about.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

But then they'd be going after people just trying to make a living. They're no worse than the endless delivery drivers breaking speed limits etc. Truck drivers were well known for it before speed limiters were out in place.
The police are better off going after real criminals....like I dunno....drivers maybe?
Don't get me wrong, anyone breaking a law needs to be held accountable but the majority of ebikes seized are no doubt owned by people who aren't fleeing the police. How else would they be caught?
If Tyrone is caught speeding alone the footpath knocking people left and right then yep, get the little bas***d but auntie Mavis using a throttle because her legs are borked isn't exactly a high risk to anyone.
Once an ebike is paid for there are virtually no other running costs. Mopeds and motorbikes etc all require VED, insurance, mots, petrol etc. Some people just can't afford those things. Worth thinking about.

I do have a concept in my mind of legal bikes being allowed a throttle for people who have mobility problems at the lower end where they can still use an ebike or e-scooter
but can;t walk much

but that would make enforcement even more of a problem!

in the meantime I would like the k*******s whizzing around on electric motorbikes while wearing the compulsory face mask and staying on random side of the road and pavement based on "what looks cool" - to be done and the bike crushed


but as you say - the number of casualties is minimal compared to things cars do!

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

UK ebikes can have a throttle, but it isn't for travelling anything close to the legal 25kph assistance limit, it's walking speed somewhere under 6kph.

 

[classic33]

UK ebikes can have a throttle, but it isn't for travelling anything close to the legal 25kph assistance limit, it's walking speed somewhere under 6kph.

Walk assist is legal under UK EPAC regulations.

 

[classic33]

But then they'd be going after people just trying to make a living. They're no worse than the endless delivery drivers breaking speed limits etc. Truck drivers were well known for it before speed limiters were out in place.
The police are better off going after real criminals....like I dunno....drivers maybe?
Don't get me wrong, anyone breaking a law needs to be held accountable but the majority of ebikes seized are no doubt owned by people who aren't fleeing the police. How else would they be caught?
If Tyrone is caught speeding alone the footpath knocking people left and right then yep, get the little bas***d but auntie Mavis using a throttle because her legs are borked isn't exactly a high risk to anyone.
Once an ebike is paid for there are virtually no other running costs. Mopeds and motorbikes etc all require VED, insurance, mots, petrol etc. Some people just can't afford those things. Worth thinking about.

E-assist cycles don't require VED, MOT, insurance or driving licence. It's the illegal e-bikes that require those things, but you don't often see them with number plates. Or the riders wearing a motorbike standard helmet. Another legal requirement for those riders who choose to ride them.

 

[raleighnut]

UK ebikes can have a throttle, but it isn't for travelling anything close to the legal 25kph assistance limit, it's walking speed somewhere under 6kph.

My trike was modded (by me) before the regulations changed, no sensors anywhere, throttle only. Speed is limited by the 3 phase 'hall effect' motor controller which will only spin the wheel to a certain RPM

 

[Vantage]

That's my point @classic33
Many people can't afford those running costs and so opt for an ebike/emotorbike.
Some people just aren't aware of the rules in detail. So my guess is (and it is only a guess) that the powers that be are seizing the bikes of people who are willingly stopping so that their bikes can be checked, ie people who aren't zooming about like idiots.
The ones who are doing all the mayhem are the ones still not being caught because they can get away. Everyone else suffers because of these dingbats.
My own bike isn't strictly legal. 750w motor....and for a while it could exeed 30mph with the throttle. Those last 2 have been fixed but still.....there's all that power and if the police had the ability to check the wattage it'd probably be crushed. All while I'm going about minding my own 15.5mph pedal pushed business and not being a threat to anyone.
The wrong people are being screwed.

 

[Vantage]

UK ebikes can have a throttle, but it isn't for travelling anything close to the legal 25kph assistance limit, it's walking speed somewhere under 6kph.

The current law allows a throttle to be used up to a speed what is defined as walking speed. I've yet to find a mph number as to what that is. It can also be used in conjunction with pedal assist. So as long as it only works if the pedals are being pushed, it's legal. Again to 15.5mph.

Bikes with motors fitted prior to 1985?? if memory serves can have a throttle without pedal assist but then back then a max power output was only 200w.

 

[Psamathe]

Many people can't afford those running costs and so opt for an ebike/emotorbike.
Some people just aren't aware of the rules in detail.

One thought, my impression is many people on cycles have 3rd party insurance often through their house insurance (my own cover is bundled included with my house insurance not even an option). Given how any significant claim and insurance companies are reputed to try and worm their way out of liability, if rider causing damage or injury has their cycle checked by insurance company and it's found illegal won't the insurance company declare it's not covered as they didn't include such cover ie it's not a cycle.

Do insurance companies still do "knock-for-knock payment of claims (or whatever it is/was called where each company pays their own policy holder's claim irrespective of fault - how would that work is any of those involved tried to find a way out of liability?

 

[Psamathe]

Also, related to the insurance aspect, if you were riding an illegal ebike and a car hit you, life changing injuries or long recovery and maybe unable to work, what would be the insurance implications. As your illegal bike would be available and inspected by police/accident investigators and insurance companies it would be found illegal. Could the insurance company use that it was illegal as a justification for not paying or reducing compensation?

(Not wanting to sound callous here as talking about serious injury where compensation becomes crucial for the injured person).

 

[raleighnut]

The current law allows a throttle to be used up to a speed what is defined as walking speed. I've yet to find a mph number as to what that is. It can also be used in conjunction with pedal assist. So as long as it only works if the pedals are being pushed, it's legal. Again to 15.5mph.

Bikes with motors fitted prior to 1985?? if memory serves can have a throttle without pedal assist but then back then a max power output was only 200w.

The current regulations came into force in 2015.