Latest news with #illegalmodification
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
Police crack down on illegal e-bike mods in Sydney's Northern Beaches
Police have wrapped up a month-long crackdown on illegal e-bike usage in Sydney's Northern Beaches, where modified e-bikes speed between vehicles and pedestrians regularly. NSW Police conducted Operation Kilowatt from June 17 to July 15, conducting hundreds of compliance checks on e-bikes which were spotted by officers patrolling in Avalon, Manly and Dee Why. Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver said the focus of Police was not just on enforcement, but education as well. 'Legal e-bikes are powered with rechargeable batteries, and the electric motor assists while pedalling up hills. To be compliant, the rider must primarily propel the bike with pedals,' Assistant Commissioner Driver said. 'Parents need to understand e-bike riders are subject to the same rules as bicycle riders. They need to make sure the e-bike is not unlawfully modified and complies with the law,' he said. 'Police commonly see illegal and modified e-bikes where the motor becomes the primary source of propelling the bike – essentially making it a motorbike. The use of unlawfully modified e-bikes create a significant risk when used in pedestrian or heavy traffic areas.' 'Young people and adults need to understand these risks when riding an e-bike, so they do not become a danger to themselves and others.' In NSW, there have been two fatalities involving e-bikes in the past two years, and in April an e-bike accident resulted in a boy sustaining a compound fracture to his leg. E-bikes are considered illegal when they have been retrofitted or modified to operate outside of their legislated power output and speed limit. An e-bike is considered to be illegally modified if the power output and speed capabilities exceed those regulated by the NSW government. Under NSW law, an e-bike motor must cut off when the bicycle reaches speeds exceeding 25km/hr. E-bikes are usually built with speed capabilities that greatly exceed NSW regulations, but companies retrofit them with throttle locks so the bikes are complicit and able to legally be sold. Some companies offer users the ability to remove their throttle lock upon request, a process referred to as 'jailbreaking,' and jailbroken e-bikes are often sold and advertised on less-regulated online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace. Overall, 32 penalty notices were issued, 28 illegal e-bikes were identified and 29 warnings were handed out during the operation. Earlier this year, a parliamentary inquiry into the use of e-scooters, e-bikes and related mobility options released its findings. Chairperson Cate Faehrmann said NSW laws were struggling to keep up with the development of e-bikes. 'Without a shift to forward-thinking, comprehensive strategy, the opportunities promised by e-mobility could be overshadowed by safety risks, public frustration and preventable incidents,' she said. 'The issues we are seeing with e-mobility devices are not so much about the devices themselves - they are signs that the rules and the way we enforce them are outdated or ineffective. Action is needed now.' Responding to the inquiry in May, Minister for Transport John Graham said he recognised the concerns of the community. 'They're known as 'micro' devices, but e-bikes and e-scooters represent a major shift for our road and transport networks,' he said. 'We believe a sensible set of rules will promote the health and lifestyle benefits of e-bikes and e-scooters while protecting the safety of riders and everyone else sharing the paths and roads with them.' The NSW government is placing a major focus on 'boosting rider and road user education' through 'voluntary tests, campaigns and updates to in-school road safety education programs'. It also aims to increase e-bike data collection to better understand the needs of the community.
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Illegal bikes 'not easy to stop'
Illegal e-bikes "are not easy to stop" and a "large number of resources are needed to intercept" them, a police commissioner issue of illegally modified e-bikes reaching high speeds in pedestrianised areas of Cheltenham and Gloucester was discussed at a police and crime panel at Shire Hall on 11 July. During the meeting, Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson described the vehicles as "difficult to catch" as councillors voiced their concerns. However, he also said a specific "high resource" operation run by Cheltenham's neighbourhood policing team to address the issue had been "perfected" in the city. "It's very effective, it works but it's very resource intensive," he said, adding it had not yet been used in Gloucester, according to the Local Democracy Reporting speaking during the meeting, Gloucester councillor Jeremy Hilton said the "souped-up bicycles" were a real problem in the city centre."It's absolutely frustrating, I've not seen a police officer stop these individuals," he said, adding he had been particularly concerned to see bikes on Westgate Street "just miss elderly ladies and gentlemen". Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth said Gloucestershire Constabulary was taking the issue seriously, telling the meeting her team would "come back with plans and make sure you're updated". And Deputy Chief Constable Katy Barrow-Grint added that e-bikes were an issue nationally. She said officers were looking at some "focussed activity" on e-bikes and e-scooters."We are committed to looking at this," she said.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- BBC News
Police seize illegal e-bike modified to reach a top speed of 62mph
An illegal e-bike modified to hit speeds of 62mph (92.7kmh) has been seized by police on Merseyside alongside more than 500 unregistered two-wheel vehicles this region's police force said there had been a "sharp rise" in crimes including drug supply, robberies, and violence where electric motorbikes, scooters, scrambler bikes and electric pedal bikes had been used. Merseyside Police has since launched Operation Gears to crack down on the problem and has urged the public to make sure they understand the law around using e-bikes. Inspector James May said "fast and heavy" bikes designed for use on private land are creating serious hazards in pedestrianised areas. "Members of the public can't walk around the streets safely and they feel intimidated when these people are riding around, particularly with their faces covered or they're wearing balaclavas," he said. Insp May said one of the seized bikes had been modified with a battery pack, a throttle and a power wheel replacing the chain, meaning it was capable of being powered by the motor alone. He said officers had conducted tests and found it reached a top speed of 62mph, and any pedestrian struck at such high speeds "could be killed". Supt Phil Mullally said any parents in the region who are planning to buy an e-bike for their child to "really consider" if it is suitable. "What we see is not only the illegal use in terms of the Road Traffic Act but also their use in serious criminality," he told BBC Radio Merseyside. He said the campaign was about targeting criminals rather than "law-abiding members of the public", with the vehicles used in offences involving firearms, drugs and robberies. Supt Mullally said they were an "enabler to some of that serious criminality" and urged people to secure their e-bikes as many were being stolen to be used in crime. In the UK, e-bikes are legal to ride for people over the age of 14 if the motor has a maximum output of 250 watts and only assists when the rider is pedalling - not with a 'twist-and-go' throttle or accelerator. E-bikes must also have motors that cut out when the bike reaches 15.5 mph (25 km/h), and must have details of the manufacturer and specifications displayed on the frame. Bikes that are more powerful are classed as electric mopeds or electric motorbikes and are governed by stricter laws on licensing, helmets and registration. Electric scooters are only legal to ride on private land, apart from in areas with specially designated trial schemes for rental e-scooters provided by licensed companies, such as Voi in Liverpool. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
