Long Eaton Police officers seize two illegal e-bikes

One of the illegal e-bikes seized by Long Eaton SNT (Credit)

In line with one of a set of new quarterly priorities, regarding road safety, two more illegal e-bikes have been seized by Long Eaton Safer Neighbourhood Team Police Officers.

One of the vehicles confiscated had the pedal assist broken and got up to a speed of 35mph.

Electrically assisted pedal cycle (EAPC) is the legal term for an e-bike or e-cycle that can be treated the same as a conventional pedal cycle, provided the user is age 14 or over. There are many products known as ‘e-bikes’ or ‘e-cycles’ available on the market. However, not all of these are classified as EAPCs.

To be classified as an EAPC under the EAPC regulations, the cycle must be fitted with pedals that can propel it, have an electric motor with a maximum continuous rated power not exceeding 250 watts, and cut off electrical assistance when it reaches 15.5 miles per hour (mph)

A statement stressed that, if an EAPC does not comply with the regulations, it is treated as a motor vehicle under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and the Road Traffic Act 1988.