Illegal modified e-bikes seized after police chase

Police have warned about illegally altering e-bikes after seizing two modified to triple their speed.

Devon and Cornwall Police said officers seized the bikes in an on-foot chase after noticing them being ridden at "substantial speed" through Portreath, Cornwall, on 5 April.

Police said the majority of e-bikes - legally only allowed to reach 15.5mph (25km/h) with powered assistance - were ridden safely by users, but it was the minority who made illegal modifications or used them carelessly that action was being taken against.

PC James Tompson, who spotted the riders, expressed that there was no joy when seizing e-bikes.

He said: "Legal e-bikes only have electrical assistance up to speeds of 15.5mph. However, the bikes we seized were more than three times as fast and powered by throttle alone, which makes them very dangerous bits of kit when being ridden on cycle paths.

"There is no joy for us when seizing e-bikes, but when they have potential to cause significant and in some cases life-changing injuries it's important that we take action.

"Our job is to keep everyone safe, that includes other road users, pedestrians and the riders themselves.

"We will continue to be out on the streets to do just that."

The force added an investigation into the incident was ongoing.

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