Young people in the north-west are riding illegal electric bikes capable of speeds of up to 50mph, police have warned.
The PSNI has said youths riding the high-powered ‘E-bikes’ are a “danger on our roads”, and have said riders could face serious consequences as a result of breaching road laws.
Police issued the warning on Thursday that Maydown Road Policing Interceptors had encountered youths on the bikes in recent days.
E-bikes, also known as electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPC), can be used by those aged over 14 when the electric motor has a maximum power of 250 watts and can travel at a maximum speed of 15.5mph.
The bikes are also required to display a visible information platen displaying the manufacturer’s name, the maximum continuous rated power of the motor in watts or kilowatts, and the top speed it is capable of.
Crash helmets for these lower-powered E-bikes are not legally required but are “highly recommended”.
“Any E-bike that does not meet these EAPC rules is classed as a motorcycle or moped and needs to be registered, taxed and insured,” a PSNI spokesperson said.
“You’ll need a driving licence to ride one and you must wear a crash helmet.”
Speaking of the high-powered E-bikes officers have recently encountered, the spokesperson said: “These are illegal and a danger on our roads and public spaces.”
They added: “An electric bike must be type approved if it does not meet EAPC rules or can be propelled without pedalling (a ‘twist and go’ ). This should have been done by the manufacturer or importer before you bought it.
“If it has been type approved, it will have a plate showing its type approval number.”
Meanwhile, electronic scooters and scrambler bikes are continuing to be a problem for residents in areas including west Belfast.
In the Republic, plans are underway to introduce a ban on scramblers in public places.
