An e-bike rider in Peterborough learned the hard way that high speed and police officers do not always mix, after a plain-clothes officer leapt into action during a crackdown on illegal e-bikes and e-scooters.
Neighbourhood officers were carrying out a day of action in Peterborough city centre when they spotted a man riding an e-bike at high speed. While several high-vis officers attempted to stop him, he apparently failed to notice the plain-clothes officers waiting ahead.
The rider was eventually brought to an abrupt stop by one of the officers, with footage of the takedown later shared on social media.
What Makes an E-Bike Illegal?
The e-bike was subsequently tested and found to provide electrical assistance up to 23mph, which is well above the legal limit of 15.5mph. The rider is now set to be reported for numerous driving offenses.
Not every electric bike is illegal to ride. In the UK, an electrically assisted pedal cycle, or EAPC, can be ridden without a license or insurance if the rider is aged 14 or over.
However, the bike must have pedals, a motor with a maximum power of 250 watts and must stop providing electrical assistance once it reaches 15.5mph.
If an e-bike does not meet these requirements, it can instead be treated as a moped or motorcycle, meaning the rider may need appropriate taxation, insurance and licensing.
In this case, the extra speed appears to have been more than just a little too enthusiastic.
Social Media Has Its Say
The footage prompted plenty of reactions online, with many viewers applauding the officer’s dramatic intervention.
“That Policeman… obvs an ex rugby player!” one commenter joked.
Another simply wrote: “Nice takedown.”
Others focused on the wider issue, with one person calling for action against delivery riders, while another said the operation was “great to see” because of concerns over dangerous and antisocial behavior.
Not everyone was celebrating, however. Some questioned whether a single day of action was enough, while others raised concerns about the potential danger to riders and pedestrians.
For now, one thing is clear: for this particular e-bike rider, the journey ended considerably sooner than expected.