City council and West Midland Police undertake major enforcement operation as part of wider initiative to make city centre cleaner, safer and more accessible for all
Birmingham City Council is reporting the success of ‘Operation Frislen’, a co-ordinated crackdown on illegally modified e-bikes that, which have mean modified to reach speeds of up to 40mph.
Photo by Chepe Nicoli / Unsplash
Just last week, 16 such modified e-bikes were seized during a pre-planned multi-agency operation and riders were issued with fines.
For reasons of public safety, there are strict legal limits on e-bikes – or, as they’re known by law, electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs). They must have pedals that can be used to propel the bike, and employ an electric motor with a maximum output of 250 watts and that will not assist when the bike travels at more than 15.5mph.
An e-bike modified beyond these limits is classified, in law, as a motor vehicle and must be registered, taxed and insured in the same way as motorbikes and cars, and the rider must hold a valid licence. Motor vehicles cannot be used on cycle paths or public roads, unless compliant with other strictures.
In Birmingham, there has been an increase in reports of dangerous and inconsiderate riding, near misses with pedestrians and collisions. There has been particular concern that the modified e-bikes present a danger to more vulnerable pedestrians and road users.
The crackdown operation was carried out in partnership with the Birmingham Community Safety Partnership and West Midlands Police, including officers from Operation Fearless, the Road Harm Prevention Team, and Safer Travel. British Transport Police, Immigration Enforcement, Paradise Security and the Central and Colmore Business Improvement Districts also participated.
Further operations are planned in future to tackle dangerous and antisocial use of high-powered e-bikes.
Cllr Jamie Tennant, Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equalities at Birmingham City Council, says: ‘Operation Frislen is the outcome of continuing work between Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Police about safety concerns around the use of e-bikes and other propelled transport in highly pedestrianised areas.
‘We hope our recent collective intervention will not only take dangerous, untaxed and uninsured e-bikes off the street, but also provide valuable insight into the scale of the problem. This will enable all partners to identify further activities and actions that will reduce risks to the public.’
Inspector Scott Taylor, West Midlands Police, adds: ‘Dangerous e-bike use has become a major problem in the city centre – partners, businesses and pedestrians are telling us they feel it’s only a matter of time before someone is killed or seriously injured. We’ve been working alongside city centre businesses, including takeaways, delivery companies, the Central Business Improvement District and the city council in recent weeks.
‘We’ve been out educating riders on the law and the impact dangerous riding is having on the city centre, and tonight’s operation has seen us step it up a gear and take firm action against those flouting the rules. We’d urge anyone who rides an e-bike for work or pleasure in the city centre to make sure they their bike is legal.’
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