E-bike riders causing havoc in Norwich city centre...

E-bike riders causing havoc in Norwich city centre

Norwich residents are furious about e-bike riders speeding around the city and are demanding stricter laws to stop them.

According to 62-year-old John Noon, he witnessed an e-biker in St. Stephens Street knock over a woman in her 60s

while riding at “about 40mph.”

He wants authorities to act because he fears that as they gain popularity among bikers, the problem will worsen.

According to John, he knocked over a woman after mounting the pavement and passing the lights.

“I helped pick her up.

“The speed he was going at was terrible.

“Something bad is going to happen – it is only a matter of time.

“Most of the times I’m in the city they are out and shooting through red lights at 40mph.

“It is so dangerous and something has to be done to stop it.”

John believes that one way to tackle the issue is if Norwich City Council brings in restrictions to make the riders wear

vests with serial numbers on them – in the same way that vehicles have registration plates.

He believes this could better help people identify and report those speeding and breaking the law on their e-bike or

electric motorbike.

Green Party councillor Jamie Osborn says that the main issue is with electric motorbikes rather than people riding e-bikes.

Delivery cyclists are often spotted in the city centre He said: “Many delivery companies seem to allow electric

motorbikes to be treated as bicycles, with riders speeding down pavements on these vehicles and putting people at risk.

“The vast majority of these are electric motorbikes rather than bikes due to their unrestricted speed and powerful motors.

“Delivery companies need to take responsibility for the safety of both their riders and the public by ensuring all bikes

are legal and ridden responsibly.

“We need much better regulation of the way delivery companies operate, which needs action from the police as well

national legislation.”

However, a spokeswoman for Norwich City Council explained that City Hall doesn’t have the authority to bring in

new laws regarding e-bike riders.

She said: “We would be supportive of regulations being considered but this is a question for central government to

consider and implement, not local authorities.”

Police referred to watchdog after crash on city street

The cyclists use a range of motorbikes, e-bikes and electric motorbikes

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN E-BIKES AND MOTORBIKES

Monica Scigliano, senior policy officer at Cycling UK, explained the difference between an e-bike and an electric motorbike.

She said: “There’s a lot of confusion when it comes to recognising and purchasing road-legal e-cycles.

“To be considered an e-cycle, you generally need to pedal it for the motor to assist and it needs to cut out at 15.5mph.

“If you purchase an e-bike and then modify it to go, say, 30mph and then get pulled over, you won’t be charged with

modifying your e-bike; you’ll be charged with riding a motorbike without insurance or a licence.” There are different

restrictions for e-bike users and electric motorbikes.

“These motorbikes are not allowed in cycle lanes or mixed-use, pedestrian and cyclist, paths.”

According to the legislation, these are motorbikes and cannot share places with people or be in bike lanes.

According to Cycling UK, businesses and individuals that sell dangerous, illegal, and customised bikes should face harsher penalties.