A modified electric bike has been seized by Northamptonshire Police after officers caught the rider illegally using a throttle to reach speeds of 30mph uphill.
Unusual Sight Raises Police Suspicion
The Northamptonshire Roads Policing Team (Northants RPT) reported that officers stopped the rider after noticing their bike accelerating uphill far faster than expected for a standard pedal-powered bicycle.
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In a post on social media, officers joked:
“Interesting for the police to see someone pedalling uphill at 30mph… must be training for the Tour de France!
E-Bike Modifications and Offences
Upon inspection, officers discovered the bike was fitted with:
A 1,000-watt motor (exceeding legal power limits)
A throttle, making it function like a motorcycle rather than a pedal-assisted bike
No insurance, required for powered vehicles
A provisional licence, meaning the rider was not legally allowed to operate the vehicle on public roads
Legal Requirements for E-Bikes in the UK
In the UK, electrically-assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs) are only legal if they:
Have a maximum motor power of 250W
Do not have a throttle-only function
Have a speed limit of 15.5mph
Require pedal assistance for the motor to function
For more information on electric bike regulations, visit Gov.uk.
