Forum Topic

e bikes. Enough is enough

How much longer can this lawlessnes be allowed to go on? The buck has to stop somewhere.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm270ldjl37o

Bruce Hammal ● 29d43 Comments

It's the complete lack of any enforcement at any level that's so irresponsible.  1. All kinds of e-bikes can be sold, even if they don't meet the regulations for an Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC) and are really mopeds, because how people use these things isn't up to the shop.2. All kinds of e-scooters can be sold, even if they're clearly not going to be ridden on private land, as required, because how people use these things isn't up to the shop.3. With so little regulation, many e-bikes and e-scooters have dangerously inflammable batteries that have caused damage to property and even life. 4. These e-machines have created a whole new generation of bike users who seem completely unfamiliar with our traffic regulations and there seems to be no process for educating them.5. Increasingly, e-bikes are used to support paid employment rather than leisure activity, adding pressure on riders to meet deadlines and literally, take short cuts.6. A few police road blocks at key intersections would mop up hundreds of riders and machines and take them off the road. 

Peter Evans ● 29d

At least the Met are doing more about it this year than last.https://news.met.police.uk/news/met-seize-record-2500-illegal-e-bikes-and-e-scooters-this-year-511492Would be interesting to see whether the proportion of illegal e-bikes that have ended up being seized has also increased i.e. are seizures increasing at a faster rate than numbers of illegal e-bikes.

Andrew Jones ● 29d

I wonder if the same rules about face-covering balaclavas apply to e-bike riders as they do to Dover immigrant protesters.  To many people, e-bike riders dressed like that are just as threatening.  Having said that, I see that Hammersmith and Fulham does have a Borough wide Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) that lets '..police and community officers demand the removal of face coverings if they are used to hide identity, cause alarm, or intimidate the public.'  So that should cover it!

Peter Evans ● 29d

talking balaclava delivery divers Now and then one of them very late at night will say pull alongside you and then pull up in front of you and you just wonder how a lone female  out walking  will feel No need for them whatsoever except possibly winter

Julian Pavey ● 29d

Julian you ask how a woman would feel out walking. Well I dont know, but I for one would feel intimidated as walking alone or even on a train at night is not pleasant let alone with someone wearing a face covering.

Nicholas Beard ● 29d

The hire bikes parking is also becoming a danger for those with poor eyesight. Last week, a blind gentleman who knows that stretch of Chiswick High Road walked straight into the parked Voi and Forest bikes. I counted over 60 bikes parked on the pavement between the Metro bank and the GBK burger restaurant. I did complain but got nowhere.I noticed today the number of bikes was down, possibly because of the market. It’s just a question of time before they are back.

Martine Dismore ● 29d

The swarm of bikes outside the GBK was there both before and after the market. When I brought this to the attention of Cllr Biddolph she engaged with Homefields councillors and eventually the bikes we culled.What I always find extraordinary is how councils miss the opportunity to penalize the suppliers as they have done in Kensington. It is an easy cash cow for councils. Worse, still, is how councils open themselves up to all manner of liability. It is only a matter of time before a clever solicitor will monetize this for an injured client. Make no mistake, that cost will be passed on to residents and businesses. Regulating and enforcing is a win/win.

David Lesniak ● 28d

Thank you for that. My next step was to contact my Homefields councillors.

Martine Dismore ● 28d

I'm assuming the Metro Bank corner is the 'border' between Hammersmith and Hounslow and, if they have different e-bike arrangements, then there'll be a pile up of bikes that can't go any further.  It's similar near Turnham Green station and on Chiswick Bridge and lots of other places across London.  Time for a more unified approach to 'make the world a better place', or to get rid of the pesky things cluttering up our public spaces!

Peter Evans ● 28d

The border between Hammersmith and Hounslow is further west (at Goldhawk Road) than Metro Bank which is in Hounslow's Chiswick Homefields ward. The pile up of bikes there is usually due to operators not managing e-bike spaces efficiently and/or not getting the geo-fencing right. At Turnham Green station, the largest bike pile-up is on the Acton Green side (which is in Ealing's Southfield ward) though there is often a chaotic arrangement of bikes just south of the station on Thornton Avenue (which is in Hounslow's Chiswick Homefields ward). The current arrangements with councils are:**  Ealing: Forest, Lime (https://www.ealing.gov.uk/info/201176/cycling/3027/rental_e-bikes)**  Hammersmith: Bolt, Lime, Forest, Voi (https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/transport-and-roads/cycling/cycle-hire)**  Hounslow: Forest, Voi (https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/transport-traffic/e-bike-rental-scheme)Yes, there could be more collaboration between councils to avoid dumping when the bikes stop working over a border but, as I understand it, Lime would have to work very hard to convince Hounslow that it will not make the same mistakes again. In Hounslow, out of control e-bike bays and abandoned e-bikes can be reported on the Hounslow Fix My Street app; photos always help including of the QR code on each bike so that the operator can issue fines to the riders, if it wishes to: https://fms.hounslowhighways.org

Joanna Biddolph ● 27d

Bruce Hammal ● 27d

Sorry - managed to send before I had written anything!I simply don't understand why Hounslow don't punish the operators who in turn don't punish the riders who break the terms of their agreement. Other councils do it, so what's the problem, except lack of will? This is the same council that sees no irony in planning major changes to C9 in Chiswick with virtually no consultation because it supports active travel, while at the same time sitting on its hands when it comes to climate-destructive expansion of Heathrow airport. Hypocritical hardly does it justice.

Bruce Hammal ● 27d

“In Hounslow, out of control e-bike bays and abandoned e-bikes can be reported on the Hounslow Fix My Street app; photos always help”I did all that but got a message saying that Fix my street didn’t deal with this problem and that they had forwarded my complaint to Voi (strangely not Forest). No help from Voi.

Martine Dismore ● 27d

In no way shape or form, should anyone be expected to report each bike's QR code. Bad enough LBH can't pull it's head out of it's a-s on this. Round them up. It's called impound. Hold them for ransom. As Bruce says, other councils clearly know this is cash cow. Hounslow can't figure it out. With the recent swarm of VOI, was someone supposed to take 50-60 photos and then upload each one to Fix My Street?

David Lesniak ● 27d

They can be numbered and identified as one provider already does this.  There are very young children riding huge e-scooters through the parks.  More needs to be done sbout the way they are sold in well known stores and online without enough information about their legality - or illegality- and the consequences of and costs of being caught using them illegally.

Philippa Bond ● 26d

They can be numbered and identified as one provider already does this.  There are very young children riding huge e-scooters through the parks.  More needs to be done sbout the way they are sold in well known stores and online without enough information about their legality - or illegality- and the consequences of and costs of being caught using them illegally.

Philippa Bond ● 26d

The genie is well and truly out of the bottle with e-scooters. Pretty stupid of political types to rely on the general public to behave responsibly and within the law. Since when has that ever been the case? The retailers, including big high street stores like Curry’s, are laughing all the way to the bank.

Simon Hayes ● 26d

I agree, Philippa, e-bikes can be numbered and identified with actual registration plates. Even proper size ones would fit on the rear wheel cover. My point was it isn't down to the public to do the council's job.The council should hire a person - man with a van - or a service to round up the problematic bikes and scooters. Could even work on commission. That would get the problem sorted lickety split.

David Lesniak ● 25d

It is the case in a lot of other countries  - but it isn't here.  Once uponna time if you were riding a bike without lights you would be torn off a strip by the police who would tell your parents - and that usually resulted in you being in trouble again with your parents.

Philippa Bond ● 25d

Firstly, I'd just like to say that I think that e-bikes do need to be regulated, and a 15.5mph limit on what the motor can bring you up to seems about right.I think it would be fair to say that many people question the fact that it's perfectly legal to sell e-bikes ( or similar) that are capable of much faster speeds than 15.5mph.What suddenly occurred to me was - (some) people question why it's ok for retailers to sell e-bikes that it would be illegal to use on the public highway, and the reason it would be illegal is because they can achieve speeds of more than 15.5mph.Yet, it's entirely legal to buy a car capable of 155mph (see https://www.autosnout.com/Top-Speed/Top-Speed-155-And-Over-Car-List.php)which is capable of going at a speed of 75mph higher than the national speed limit of 70mph.Thoughts?

Andrew Jones ● 25d

PS I know this thread is about e-bikes, so my apologies for digressing.

Andrew Jones ● 25d

I was looking at the e-scooters for sale in a well known local store the other day and wished that I had taken a photo of the very small small print notice that was there alerting potential buyers to the possible problems of their legal use which I do have to say that I was pleased to see.  However, I did feel that this was only a very small tick-box type nod to the huge problem that we are having with the illegal use of them. You get WARNINGS which are much bigger and more obvious on an awful lot more things.There are now small unsupervised children racing these huge and heavy scooters in our parks and on our the pavements as well as the adults.I had a look online quite a while ago now to see what was being advertised in the UK with regards to e-bikes and fast ones were being advertised for sale mentioning the speeds they could attain WITHOUT any mention of any speed restrictions or laws regarding the use of them.  I felt and still feel that it is rather ridiculous and unjust let alone disruptive and costly to us all to be importing and advertising these things in this country when they could not be legally used here by most people.We DO have many road signs giving instructions on our roads that have to be followed and adhered to by law as well as information and although pedal cyclists like to tell us they are exempt from these many non-electric pedal cyclists don't ever attain those MAXIMUM speeds and cyclists can in any case find themselves arrested and charged for offences, in court and jailed because of their actions.As for the lack of knowledge about the laws and attention to the Highway Code which is there for EVERYONE - WHATEVER they are driving or riding as well as when they are walking or running or hopping and skipping and jumping - this obviously needs to have much more attention paid to it.  If an incident - even if you consider it an accident - occurs these rules will be taken into account.  Ignorance can't put back the clock.There was a programme on Channel 4 the other night about the Newcastle Police picking up and crushing e-bikes that could be switched from being slow-speed to fast-speed and which were being used on our streets and pavements. Why should they be put in the position that they need to do this?  It just looks like negligence.I was nearly run down AGAIN the day before yesterday whilst attempting to cross on a zebra crossing by someone on a bike - this time electric - which was overtaking cars that had stopped for me.  The overtaking of stationary traffic by people on bikes and scooters together with the weaving in and out is so often done both thoughtless and recklessly.  Also illegally when by an underage rider on an unregistered motorbike on a zebra crossing!

Philippa Bond ● 20d

This is typical of the lack of enforcement or regulations applying to those selling potentially dangerous products, with responsibility placed on the buyer or user rther than the supplier.  It's the same with junk food, and social media sites where parents are particularly blamed if their children are exposed to whatever appalling content.  If something is dangerous, it should be banned! Simple!But the multi-national companies so often responsible would kick up a fuss about the dreaded 'Nanny State' - and their reduced profits!

Peter Evans ● 20d

>if something is dangerous, it should be banned! Simple!96 people killed and 3900 seriously injured on London's roads in 2025...

Paul James ● 19d

Seems like Paul is suggesting we ban the roads.

David Lesniak ● 19d

He wants to ban the idiots using them. That means  lot of cyclists will have to find different modes of transport.Considering there’s 10 million people in London and hundreds of thousands more travelling in every day the accident statistics he quotes are pretty low. And just bandying around figures doesn’t provide any detail of the nature of these deaths and injuries. Every case is different.

Simon Hayes ● 19d

>Seems like Paul is suggesting we ban the roads.Roads are almost totaly harmless, they're just bits of tarmac and some paint that sit there doing nothing.

Paul James ● 19d

Paul, in his infinite wisdom, bangs on about too much traffic while then stating roads just sit there doing nothing.Clearly he'll never square any of his circles.

David Lesniak ● 18d

A lot of things get into trouble for just sitting there and doing nothing and a lot more should be getting into trouble for sitting there and doing nothing when they should be actively doing something!Nobody as far as I know minds about considerate and law-abiding sensible cyclists.  Cyclists have always been a part of the traffic.  In fact they should be encouraged for both their and everyone else's health and well-being.  Many of them after all are making more space on the roads for the other transport users who complain.  I agree with Paul there are too many cars but we also need transport to be more accessible and accessible means a lot more than just no steps it also means nearby toilets and easy interchanges.  Buses are more accessible, tube stations are improving but the accessibility of nearby toilets?There just should be much more education early on on road safety and at school.  Where is the Tufty Club and the Cycling Proficiency tests and why are there are so many 'L' plated scooters?  Being so Risk Happy is actually is creating more accidents and close encounters.  Only those bad ones will be registered as a statistic.  My life was changed for ever by tripping over a carelessly replaced paving stone in a street.  Amongst other things it has meant that I couldn't care for young children eg grandchildren thereby supporting the families.  I complained to the Council involved so that that particular bit of  pavement was made good but many other people can't even be bothered to do that (that is of course if they can actually get up and walk away).  It could have been worse but only then would I have become a statistic.

Philippa Bond ● 18d

Andrew  We have to learn to drive and learn the Highway Code and be tested and pass in order to get a driving licence and be legally able to drive without an instructor on the road!

Philippa Bond ● 18d

There are 5 or so fatalities per year due to cars in Hounslow. How much longer can this lawlessness be allowed to go on?Time for more 20 mph zones, tougher penalties, more checks on uninsured vehicles.

Simon Pedley ● 17d

Philippa were you replying to one of my posts? If you were, which one was it? While what you write is true, I don't really understand what point you are making,

Andrew Jones ● 17d

Andrew  18/09/24  14:04  Enough is Enough re being able to buy ebikes when you don't have any knowledge of the rules of the road or any experience driving/riding on it; have taken and passed no test and so have no certificate of competence and no insurance and also are not old enough in law to ride on public roads.  The only bikes which are legal to ride on the public roads are supposed to be those hire bikes which should be limited in speed to 15.5.  If they are not limited in speed to 15.5 then they have been messed about with to override the speed limiter and are not legal.

Philippa Bond ● 16d

https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/e-bikes-and-e-scooters/e-bike-and-e-scooter-laws-in-the-uk/

Philippa Bond ● 16d

The ease with which people can buy e-bikes and set off with little or no knowledge or experience of traffic rules or etiquette, is amplified when the same people can equally readily be 'employed' to use their bikes for work.

Peter Evans ● 16d

Thanks for the reply Philippa - Legal e-bikes are restricted to 15.5mph ( insofar as the electrical assistance won't propel you faster than this, I assume that you might be able to pedal it manually faster than this).Limiting the speed to 15.5mph undoubtedly makes using legal e-bikes safer to both riders and those who may be unfortunate to encounter an e-bike in a collision.Legal cars speeds aren't restricted ( well at least not to speeds that you are legally allowed to reach on roads), and as you say to use one legally you need to have insurance, passed your test etc.What are your thoughts about building a car that is capable of exceeding the national speed limit of 70mph by 85mph i.e. a top speed of 155mph.Apart from the fact that driving a car at such a speed would be illegal in this country on the public roads, doing so, would be pretty dangerous.Do you think that cars should be limited to a top speed lower than most are currently capable of? That was the point I was trying to make.

Andrew Jones ● 16d

Andrew  There were supposed to be speed limiters added to new cars in the EU but I think the UK decided to opt out.  It would be interesting to learn how the EU now feels about these.I have been on a motorway here when there have been about 10 young men driving BMWs racing against each other weaving in and out of the lanes and behaving as if real life was just a video game to them.  It was frightening for us although it may have been fun for them.  Their carelessness and risk taking is dangerous for all the users of the busy motorway. We could of all been killed but probably worse than that many people could have been severely injured and there would have been many unforeseen and unwanted consequences as well as huge costs to all the emergency services and more.  It was frightening, most definitely not fun and I also felt very threatened and helpless in that situation.  With what rather looks recently like it might have been joyriding the wrong way down motorways recently perhaps it would be better to have speed limiters. In the past all of these events were memorable and few and justifiably considered to be most tragic accidents.

Philippa Bond ● 15d

As for motorway driving, my impression is that there are now far fewer fast cars in the outside lane racing past everyone than there were some years ago. Nowadays it's much more like a sheet of metal on wheels moving at a steady 75mph!  Maybe it's the increased use of built-in cruise controls and speed limiters in modern cars that makes it easier and more relaxing for drivers to keep somewhere near the speed limit.

Peter Evans ● 15d

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq9860162dj2oInteresting that there appear ti becan awful lot of ghost numberplates being used by car drivers to avoid being caught on cameras for whatever reason.  New cameras can pick these out.

Philippa Bond ● 14d

I too have been on the motorway when these fools in their BMW's race in and out of the traffic. Somewhere near Silverstone heading north on M40 several times for me.However we seem to be a nation who will fine you for a minor infringement and let the dangerous b...rds get away with it.

Paul Jennings ● 13d

"There were supposed to be speed limiters added to new cars in the EU but I think the UK decided to opt out."What you've written is essentially true, but the word limiter is a bit of a misnomer. The Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) function that alerts you to the fact that you are exceeding the speed limit can be turned off at any time you are driving (it will be reactivated the next time you start the car, so you can't permanently turn it off)Even when it's on you can choose to ignore it and press the accelerator pedal to increase your speed to well over the limit. What it's particularly good for is to alert drivers that they are driving slightly in excess of the applicable speed limit, in such a way that they can slow down and drive within the speed limit.

Andrew Jones ● 13d

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqde0jpklkx5o

Bruce Hammal ● 11d

Ditto across the pond:https://nypost.com/2026/09/30/us-news/e-bike-crash-survivors-share-horror-stories-as-scourge-of-lawless-riders-plagues-nyc/

David Lesniak ● 11d