A 41-year-old man from Ilford has been fined after being caught riding an illegal e-bike capable of speeds up to 73mph. The man, identified as Darius Dovidas, of %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_0%% Road, was stopped by the City of London Police’s cycle team on August 12, marking his second offence within six months.
Dangerous E-Bike
Dovidas was found riding an e-bike equipped with a 1,900-watt motor, a setup far exceeding the legal limit for e-bikes in the UK. Legal e-bikes are restricted to 15.5mph, and their motors must cut off once this speed is reached. This powerful e-bike posed significant safety concerns for pedestrians and other road users.
Previous Offence
Dovidas had been stopped earlier this year on February 16, when a similar e-bike was confiscated due to its illegal specifications and his lack of %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_1%%. Despite this, he acquired another bike with identical capabilities and was caught again, leading to further legal action.
Court Proceedings
Dovidas appeared at the City of London Magistrates’ %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_2%%, where he was fined £600, ordered to pay a £352 surcharge, and had six penalty points added to his driving record.
Police Commitment
Sergeant Stu Ford, who leads the City of %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_3%% Police’s cycle team, highlighted the dangers posed by illegal e-bikes, stating:
“Since the formation of the cycling team last summer, almost 400 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters have been seized—more than any other %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_4%% force in the country.
He continued:
“We've had members of the public voicing their concerns to us about these vehicles. Some people have told us they've nearly been hit and have seen riders mount pavements and run red lights. Pedestrians are the most vulnerable road users, and we will continue our %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_5%% in keeping everyone safe.
Ongoing Safety Concerns
The confiscation of Dovidas' e-bike comes amid growing concerns over illegal and high-speed e-bikes in urban areas. These vehicles often operate without proper safety mechanisms and pose risks to both riders and pedestrians. Authorities have been increasing enforcement efforts to address the issue and protect road users.
Dovidas' case serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_6%% laws and the dangers of operating unauthorized high-speed vehicles in public spaces.
