Eleven illegal e-bikes were seized in Cardiff city centre on Thursday, October 5, as part of an operation targeting those riding modified bikes capable of going 40mph.
A spokesperson for Cardiff Council said: "As a council we actively encourage people to cycle bikes but what we can't have is people driving illegal, modified electric bikes in pedestrian areas putting pedestrians at risk.
"Each vehicle that was seized by the South Wales Police could do speeds up to and beyond 40mph, yet they were all only fitted with brakes for a regular pedal cycle. It's unacceptably selfish behaviour and it's important we crack down on it.”
What we tend to refer to as electric bikes - those classed as electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs) - do not need to be registered, taxed or insured, and riders do not need a licence. An EAPC must have pedals that can be used to propel it, and its motor must have a maximum continuous rated power of 250W, and should not be able to propel the bike when it’s travelling more than 15.5mph.
Sergeant Gareth Davies from South Wales Police said: "While it's not illegal to own an e-bike with an electrical assistance or power output exceeding 15mph and 250W respectively, you can't ride it on the public highway as a regular bike without registering and insuring it like a moped.
"This includes both off-road and road rights, such as byways and bridleways. You can only ride unregistered and uninsured electric bikes on private land with the landowner's permission.”
In July, police in Cardiff seized 17 illegal e-bikes in an effort to stop the vehicles being ridden through pedestrianised areas of the city centre. Some appeared to belong to delivery riders, and the bikes’ owners were given two weeks to produce the relevant documentation to be able to recover them.
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Eight arrests were also made on October 5. Cardiff Council's City Centre Warden Team took part in the operation which saw South Wales Police make two arrests, and the UK Visas and Immigration Service arrested six people.
Sergeant Davies added: "During Thursday's operation two people, initially stopped in relation to illegally adapted pedal cycles, were arrested on suspicion of drug dealing offences. Drugs and a large knife were seized. We will continue to work with our partners in this way to help keep Cardiff city centre safe."
