January 28th 2024.
In the bustling streets of the capital, it's hard to miss the increasing number of e-bikes zooming by. These electric bicycles have gained popularity among commuters for their convenience and eco-friendliness. However, it seems that not everyone is using them for their intended purpose.
Phone thieves in London have found a way to manipulate e-bikes and transform them into powerful motorcycles, allowing them to make a swift escape after snatching a phone from an unsuspecting passer-by. By illegally converting the motors to exceed 250 watts and adding a throttle, these criminals are able to avoid using the pedals and reach speeds of almost double the legal limit of 15.5mph.
This devious modification not only enables them to evade the need for a licence, tax, insurance, and even a helmet, but it also renders the e-bikes no longer road legal. As a result, the City of London Police have launched a crackdown on these modified vehicles, confiscating an average of five e-bikes and e-scooters every week since last July.
Those caught riding these souped-up e-bikes face immediate confiscation and a potential £300 fine, depending on the offence. Chief Superintendent William Duffy praised the police's proactive efforts in removing these dangerous bikes from the streets, stating that they are often used for criminal activities like phone snatching.
Fortunately, their efforts have led to a 40% decrease in phone snatching incidents in the City. In the span of just six months, the number of recorded phone snatching incidents dropped from 542 to 360. However, these illegally modified e-bikes not only pose a threat to potential victims but also to their owners.
The London Fire Brigade has reported a significant increase in lithium battery fires, with e-bikes and e-scooters being the most common cause. The risk of these fires increases when the vehicles are illegally modified. Last year, firefighters were called out to an e-bike or e-scooter fire at least once every two days in London.
In a recent incident, a mother and son in Hackney were hospitalized after jumping from their window to escape an e-bike fire, and a man in Liverpool tragically lost his life while trying to save his father from a fire caused by an e-bike left charging overnight.
It's clear that these illegally modified e-bikes and e-scooters not only facilitate criminal activities but also pose a danger to their owners and others. The City of London Police and other authorities are working tirelessly to crack down on these vehicles and make the streets safer for everyone. To stay updated on the latest news from the capital, be sure to visit The Agency's London news hub.
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