Police seize illegal e-bike ridden by Shefford teen in Higham Gobion
Police seized and destroyed an illegal e-bike that was ridden by a Shefford teenager.
Officers seized the bike in Higham Gobion after it had been used by a 16-year-old – and warned people it’s now easier for them to enforce the law.
Ampthill Community Policing Team said: "Legislation under S.59 Police Reform Act 2002 has been amended. Police can now seize your vehicle without a warning to tackle the anti-social use of a motor vehicle where the legal criteria is met."
To be treated in the same way as a normal pedal cycle, an electrically assisted pedal cycle must meet legal requirements including a motor with a maximum continuous rated power of 250 watts, with electrical assistance cutting off at 15.5mph.
The policing team added: "If an e-bike falls outside the EAPC requirements, for example because of excessive motor power or speed, it may be treated in law as a motor vehicle.
"That can mean requirements including registration, insurance, the appropriate driving licence and other road vehicle requirements. "Riding such a vehicle on a public road without complying with those requirements can result in offences being committed and the vehicle being seized."
Privately owned e-scooters will neither be treated as ordinary scooters or bicycles – as they fall into the category of a mechanically propelled vehicle, meaning they have the same legal requirements as a car.
"Riding them in public can lead to seizure and prosecution for relevant driving offences," added the policing team.