A woman on an E-bike collided with a Royal Mail van in Swindon. She faces charges for careless driving and more.
She then sped down a footpath and collided with a Royal Mail van at a T-junction. The van was moving slowly, headed to the street’s turning circle. No one suffered major injuries in this crash.
Police gave the rider, a woman in her 20s, a notice of intended prosecution. She faces charges for careless driving, driving without a license, and driving without insurance.
The rider asked a friend to remove the e-bike. However, police found the bike in Birkdale Close and seized it under the Road Traffic Act.
Inspector Joe Senior talked about e-bike laws. He said some e-bikes are actually motorcycles and need a license and insurance to ride legally.
Senior said the woman lacked insurance and a license, and rode dangerously. She was very lucky to avoid serious injury. E-bike laws exist for public safety, and police will prosecute those breaking these laws.
Police also shared advice about e-bike laws, stating electric bikes are okay for riders over 14, and you don’t need a license for certain types. These bikes don’t require registration, tax, or insurance.
These legal e-bikes must have working pedals that move for electric power. The motor output should be 250 watts max and cannot provide assistance above 15.5 mph. The battery voltage should also be displayed.
E-bikes outside these rules fall into a different category. The law considers them motorcycles or mopeds, which need to be registered, insured, and taxed.