Ilford Man Fined After Riding Illegal E-Bike at 73mph
Speed Demon Caught Again
A 41-year-old from Ilford was slapped with a hefty fine after being nabbed riding a turbocharged e-bike capable of smashing 73mph – way over the UK’s legal limit. Darius Dovidas, from Mortlake Road, was stopped by City of London Police’s cycle squad on August 12. This wasn’t his first offence; he’d already been caught less than six months ago.
Illegal E-Bike Danger
Dovidas was blasting down the streets on a beast of an e-bike powered by a 1,900-watt motor. The UK legal cap for e-bike motors is 250 watts, and they must cut power at 15.5mph. This rogue bike’s firepower made it a serious threat to pedestrians and fellow road users alike.
Repeat Offender Fined Big
Back in February, Dovidas was caught riding a similar illegal bike without insurance, which authorities confiscated. Undeterred, he scored another one with the same specs, only to get caught again. At City of London Magistrates’ Court, he was hit with a £600 fine, a £352 surcharge, and six penalty points on his licence.
Police Crackdown on Illegal E-Bikes
Sergeant Stu Ford, heading the City of London Police’s cycle team, said the crackdown on illegal e-bikes is relentless:
“Since we launched the team last summer, we’ve seized nearly 400 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters — more than any other police force in the UK.”
“People have told us they’ve narrowly avoided being hit, seen riders chew up pavements, and run red lights. Pedestrians are the most vulnerable, and we’ll keep working to keep everyone safe.”
Ongoing Safety Battle
Dovidas’ latest seizure highlights the rising dangers posed by high-speed, unregulated e-bikes lurking on city streets. Authorities promise to keep toughening enforcement to clamp down on these speed machines and protect the public.
The case is a stark warning: break the rules with illegal high-speed bikes and face the full force of the law.
