Illegal e-scooters and e-bikes seized by police

9 hours ago

Alex PopeBedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire

News image — A large number of e-scooters were seized by Bedfordshire Police

Luton Community Policing Team A row of scooters, in a room, with grey brick walls, and three traffic cones to the left. They are all black and standing up — A large number of e-scooters were seized by Bedfordshire Police

A total of 47 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters have been seized in Luton after a day of action by police.

The Bedfordshire force said as part of Operation Scoot, three local policing teams came together on Friday to focus on illegal and unsafe vehicles.

It said many of the riders had "little or no protective equipment" and if they were in a collision it could have resulted "in life‑changing injuries or worse".

It said it would "continue to work proactively to tackle antisocial behaviour and keep our communities safe".

Luton Community Policing Team A large collection of e-bikes and e-scooters on the back of a lorry, on their side. A white car is to the left and an orange barrier to the right. It looks like the items are on a ramp. — Bikes were also confiscated

Using privately owned e‑scooters on public roads, pavements and cycle paths was illegal, it said.

Only government‑approved rental e‑scooters could be used, in designated trial areas, it added.

Luton Community Policing Team A row of black e-scooter and e-bikes in a room, that has grey brick walls and a dark floor. They are all standing up with a wheelie bin in the distance, against the wall. — Bedfordshire Police said it was part of an operation to keep people safe

E-bikes must have pedals that actively propel the bike, be ridden by someone aged 14 and over, have a motor rated at no more than 250 watts and cannot be modified to increase speed or operate without pedalling.

Those that do not match those criteria are classed as motor vehicles and riders must have insurance, a driving licence and tax and registration.

The force said anyone riding illegally would be stopped and have their bike or scooter seized, and could be fined and have points added to their driving licence.

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