'We will seize them and they will be destroyed' – police force issues warning to illegal e-bike riders
City of London Police's cycle team seized 18 non-compliant e-bikes last week as they crack down on 'ridiculously fast' bikes
London's City Police have launched a crackdown on illegal e-bikes, seizing and destroying over 800 non-compliant vehicles since July 2023. Sergeant Stu Ford of the City's cycle team reported a "massive increase" in riders of illegal e-bikes in recent months, with one recently seized model reaching a top speed of 70kph. These e-bikes often lack pedals and are propelled by throttles, exceeding the UK's legal limit of 15.5mph (25kph) and power input of 250 watts, as per Section 165A of the Road Traffic Act.
The confiscated e-bikes are kept in police pounds and destroyed after 15 days. Ford noted that most of the riders are gig economy workers, emphasizing the need to balance convenience with safety. The team also identified non-compliant bikes by specific markers like high-powered motors and throttle presence. In the UK, 200,000 cyclists navigate the City of London's square mile district daily, with 18 fatalities and nearly 700 injuries caused by e-bike and e-scooter fires between 2019 and 2025.
Ford aims to educate, engage, and enforce the law, warning illegal e-bike riders on X: "If you ride non-compliant e-bikes in the City, we will seize them and they will be destroyed."
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