E-bike seized following collision with Royal Mail van

We have seized an electric bike following a collision between an illegal rider and a Royal Mail van in Swindon.

On February 6, 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 has then collided with a Royal Mail van, which was travelling slowly towards the turning circle at the end of the road.

There were fortunately no serious injuries.

The suspect, a woman in her 20s, asked a friend to come and take the bike away, however we 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.”

What is the law around e-bikes?

Electric Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPC), more commonly known as electric bikes, are legal to ride if you are over the age of 14 and do not require a licence or need to be registered, taxed or insured.

But they must meet certain criteria.

These are:

• They must have pedals to propel it, 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.