Swindon Police have seized an electric bike following a collision between an illegal rider and a Royal Mail van.
On 6 February at around 12.45pm, a woman on a Talaria X3 was seen riding around the playfield at the end of Truscott Avenue and then at speed down the footpath towards the T-junction.
The rider then collided with a Royal Mail van, which was travelling slowly towards the turning circle at the end of the road. There were no serious injuries.
The suspect, a woman in her 20s, asked a friend to come and take the bike away, but the police were able to track it down and seize it from a property in Birkdale Close under s165 of the Road Traffic Act.
The rider has been issued with a notice of intended prosecution for careless driving, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.
Inspector Joe Senior, based in Swindon, said: “E-bikes such as the one being ridden here are considered to be motorcycles due to their size and power, meaning they require insurance and a licence to be legally ridden.
“Not only did the rider not have insurance or a licence but she was riding in an incredibly dangerous manner and is fortunate not to have caused herself a serious injury in the collision.
“There are strict laws in place around e-bikes to keep the public safe.
“We appreciate the public concern around e-bikes at present and we will not hesitate to put before the courts anyone who is found to breach these laws.”
Electric Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPC), more commonly known as electric bikes, are legal to ride if the rider is over the age of 14, and do not require a licence or need to be registered, taxed or insured.
However, they must meet certain criteria:
- They must have pedals to propel them, and the pedals must be in motion for electric assistance to be provided
- They must have a maximum output of 250 watts
- They must not be able to provide electric assistance over 15.5mph
- They must also show either the battery’s voltage or the maximum speed of the bike.
Electric bikes that do not meet the EAPC rules are classed as a motorcycle or moped and need to be registered, insured and taxed.
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