POLICE have seized seven illegal e-bikes as part of ongoing efforts to tackle their anti-social use across Cumbria.
Officers from Carlisle Neighbourhood Policing Team seized six illegal bikes being used anti-socially and in the process of committing a crime in the city centre on Sunday, March 8.
A further e-bike was seized by officers in the Kendal area on Tuesday, March 10.
Police say such bikes pose a risk not only to the public but also to those riding them, and are often used in an anti-social manner.
Two of the bikes seized by officers were capable of reaching speeds in excess of 40mph, with riders wearing no protective equipment. All of the seized bikes will be scrapped.
Roads Policing Unit Inspector Holly Lockwood said: “We are continuing to proactively target the use of illegal bikes and scooters across Cumbria.
“We recognise this is an important issue to our communities, and hope these seizures act as a warning to those riding such bikes, that we will are proactively targeting riders.
“Not only are there concerns around the anti-social use of such bikes but the dangers to other motorists and pedestrians, but also the danger the riders are putting themselves in by riding in this manner”.
Anyone who sees someone using the roads in a dangerous or anti-social way is asked to report it to police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.
Guidance on e-bike laws can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/electric-bike-rules.
