Commissioner sends festive warning during visit to see e-bike crushing

Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner visited a Lancashire-based site where the hundreds of illegally used e-bikes and e-scooters removed from the county’s streets are crushed – and warned of the dangers for anyone considering purchasing one in the run up to Christmas.

Commissioner Clive Grunshaw joined Roads Policing Inspector Steve Scott to observe the entire process that takes place after illegal machines are seized from Lancashire’s streets, from removing batteries to crushing and safely processing all materials.

Ahead of the busy Christmas shopping period, including Black Friday, Commissioner Grunshaw and Insp Scott highlighted the regulations surrounding these potentially dangerous vehicles and urged the public to reconsider buying an e-scooter or e-bike – warning they could end up among the hundreds seized and crushed by Lancashire Constabulary if ridden illegally.

The renewed appeal comes as Lancashire Constabulary confirms it has seized more than 1,000 vehicles this year under Operation Centurion,  a county-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour led by the force and supported by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw.

Speaking about the visit, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire said:

“People across the county have made clear to me that the illegal use of e-bikes, e-scooters and similar vehicles is one of their top concerns, and I’ve worked closely with Lancashire Constabulary to ensure we tackle what has become an endemic problem here and across the country.

“This visit to see first-hand some of the seized e-bikes and e-scooters destroyed sends a clear message that it’s just not worth purchasing one of these devices if it is going to be used illegally – it will end up being crushed along with the others we’ve taken off our streets, to keep people safe and tackle what is an anti-social blight on communities.

“I have continually raised this issue with Government and other partners to ensure we have robust legislation to tackle this issue. We’ve also seen the introduction of a dedicated fleet of off-road bikes to tackle illegal e-scooter and e-bike use and I’ve witnessed the success of these operations.

“The fact that we’ve recently seen the number of these vehicles seized through Operation Centurion a thousand, speaks for itself. As the public’s voice in policing, I remain committed to pushing for tougher legislation and ensuring every available measure is used to deliver the highest standard of policing for the people of Lancashire.”

Outside of Electric Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPCs), which can used on UK roads without the addition of insurance, tax, MOT or driving licence. However, such machines are often illegally adapted with powerful imported batteries and throttles, resulting speeds that far exceed safe levels. This includes adapted bikes which are propelled solely by a throttle.

Other e-machines are classes as motor vehicles and must be registered with the DVLA, display a vehicle registration plate and hold relevant insurance, tax and MOT. Riders must also hold a minimum of a provisional driving licence with a compulsory basic driving test (CBT).

Despite the relative ease of purchasing a e-scooters, they cannot be used anywhere other than private land.

Roads Policing Inspector Steve Scott added: “We saw some very good examples of what we see on Lancashire’s streets, with powerful batteries that can make these machines go at extreme speeds – the highest speed we have found could reach speeds of 83 miles an hour.

“Every bike that we seize in Lancashire will be crushed, we are regularly challenged on this and I can categorically say that these bikes will never be back on the roads.

“I continue to urge people during the coming weeks in the run up to Christmas, especially parents, not to purchase these types of illegal vehicles.”

Anyone concerned about illegal or dangerous driving of e-bikes can find out more about reporting actions on the dedicated Op Centurion website – https://www.lancashire-pcc.gov.uk/lancashire-tackling-asb/ 

Information can also be passed to independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. You can also call 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Watch a video from the visit - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgYllL2Tvjo