Crackdown urged on illegal e-bikes in city

Oxford City Council calls on Thames Valley Police and government to curb rise in illegal e-bikes.

A city council is urging for more action to clamp down on illegally modified e-bikes Oxford City Council voted for leader Councillor Susan Brown to write to Thames Valley Police to offer its support for an increase in enforcement on use of the e-bikes and a clamp down on 'exploitative working practices'. The council will also urge the transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, to back a national safety campaign. The motion, brought forward by Labour's deputy council leader, Ed Turner, goes on to ask the transport secretary to press for a long-awaited decision on the July 2020 e-scooter trial.

The national campaign is run by the Motorcycle Industry Association and the Bicycle Association. It aims to introduce national guidance on seizing illegal e-bikes as well as to improve enforcement against retailers selling non-compliant vehicles and modification kits. Supporters of the campaign argue that stronger enforcement and clearer rules are needed to tackle the rise in illegally modified e-bikes, which can travel at much higher speeds than permitted and pose a potential risk to vulnerable road users.

The council has said that individuals using illegal e-bikes should 'feel the full force of the law' alongside retailers and delivery platforms which 'tacitly' support their use. At a full council meeting on 13 July, Oxford City Council also voted to call on the government to strengthen its National Work-Related Road Safety Charter, which establishes national standards for employers requiring staff to ride for work.