On Sunday (Aug 17) officers from the Carlisle Neighbourhood Policing Team alongside Operational Support colleagues carried out an operation targeting road safety in Carlisle.
A total of 13 vehicles were stopped during the operation, with two drivers given education at the roadside.
Officers seized an e-bike on London Road for no insurance, after officers sighted the bike being driven on the road and cycle path without, the pedals being used.
E-bikes and the law
• You can ride an electric bike if you’re 14 or over, as long as it is an ‘electrically assisted pedal cycle’ (EAPC). If it doesn’t meet the definition of an EAPC, it’s classed as a motorcycle or moped and must be registered, taxed, insured and you must have licence to ride it.
An EAPC must:
- Have pedals that can be used to propel it.
- Show either the power output or the manufacturer of the motor.
- Show either the battery’s voltage or the maximum speed of the bike.
- Have an electric motor with a maximum power output of 250 watts.
- Not have a motor able to propel the bike when it’s travelling at more than 15.5mph.
• You do not need a licence to ride an EAPC and it does not need to be registered, taxed or insured.
• EAPCs can be ridden on cycle paths and anywhere else pedal bikes are allowed. They cannot be ridden on pavements.
Find out more on the law - Riding an electric bike: the rules - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Anyone with information about the use of illegal electric bikes and off-road bikes can report online here – Report antisocial behaviour | Cumbria Police
You can also report to officers on 101.
Chief Inspector Richard Smillie, Cumberland Neighbourhood Policing said “E-bikes and off-road bikes are one of the issues our communities are reporting being driven dangerously and in an anti-social manner.
“It’s important that those using these bikes understand the law and make sure their bikes are legal.
“Whilst we understand there are those who use bikes legally, there are those who are using them irresponsibly and could cause serious injury to themselves or others.
“If you are engaging in illegal activity we will look to seize your bike, issue a fine or put you before the courts.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “Operation Colossus is all about targeting those who are driving dangerously or in an anti-social manner on our streets and keeping our residents and visitors safe. It targets drug and drunk drivers, those driving dangerously and those causing anti-social behaviour on our roads. It also targets illegal e-bikes and e-scooters.
“I attended the operation on Sunday 17 August in Carlisle and spent three hours in the town centre with the local PCSO. I was impressed by the work being undertaken by the Constabulary in tackling this issue. The operation was carefully planned and Carlisle town centre and its outlying areas saw an increase in very visible policing targeting issues that the public have raised to me as a concern.
“Anti-social and dangerous driving are issues that are regularly raised with me by residents, either at my many public surgeries or by mail. It is one of the priorities I have set for the Constabulary to tackle. I am pleased to see that they are doing so. This is policing by consent and neighbourhood policing as it should be. Issues are raised and dealt with.
“I’d encourage residents to continue to report this issue to the Police 101 or 999 in an emergency. If you feel like you still don’t see a difference, please let me know at commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk or at 01768 217734. I am your voice in Policing so please let me know any of your concerns.”
Operation Colossus was launched after concerns were raised by communities of anti-social driving across Cumbria.
The operation will run over 15-weeks works alongside Operation Enhance – the Constabulary’s long-standing crackdown on anti-social behaviour in hotspot areas (Op Enhance | Cumbria Police) – whilst enhancing road safety around the county to address your concerns.