E-bike seizures

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FIN/25/003368/I

Version Date: 09/07/2025

The Performance Analysis Department and the Alliance Roads Policing Department have provided the following information.

For the financial or calendar years 2019 to the present, or most recently available (e.g March 2025)

1) The number of e-bikes (Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles) seized under section 165 of the Road Traffic Act 1988

2) The number of e-bikes (Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles) seized that exceeded the 15.5mph or 250watt limit.

Please note that the following answer is the same for questions 1 and 2 as the Force only seizes e-bikes that have exceeded the 15.5mph or 250 watt limit:

3) The number of offences recorded under
a) section 28 of the Road Traffic Act 1991 – (dangerous cycling)
b) section 29 of the Road Traffic Act 1991 – (careless and inconsiderate cycling)
c) section 30 of the Road Traffic Act 1991 – (cycling under the influence of drink or drugs)

The Force does not record offences by their Act, therefore, searches were completed on the Custody database for the following ‘Cycling related’ reasons for arrest:

• Dangerous / careless cyclist failing to give name / address
• Dangerous cycling
• Drunk in charge of a pedal cycle / carriage / animal (recordable)
• Ride a cycle on a road / bridle way / footpath without due care and attention
• Ride a pedal cycle on a footpath / causeway by the side of a road made / set apart for the use of foot passengers
• Ride a pedal cycle on a road and fail to comply with the indication given by a traffic sign
• Ride a pedal cycle on a road and fail to stop when directed by a uniformed police constable / traffic warden
• Ride bicycle / drive vehicle without due care and attention in a Controlled / Protected Area of AWE Aldermaston
• Ride bicycle / drive vehicle without due care and attention in a Controlled / Protected Area of AWE Burghfield
• Ride pedal cycle having taken the conveyance without consent (recordable)
• Riding pedal cycle under the influence of drink or drugs
• Use a pedal cycle on a road when front / rear position lamp / retro reflector were not fitted
• Use of a pedal cycle without lights at night

These searches resulted in one occurrence which was an arrest for ‘Ride a pedal cycle on a road and fail to stop when directed by a uniformed police constable / traffic warden’. This occurred in 2020.

4) The number of penalty fines handed out under
a) Section 28 of the Road Traffic Act 1991 – broken down by fine amount if this does not exceed the time limit of the request.
b) Section 29 of the Road Traffic Act 1991 – broken down by fine amount if this does not exceed the time limit of the request.
c) Section 30 of the Road Traffic Act 1991 – broken down by fine amount if this does not exceed the time limit of the request.

No information held.

The Force does not hold information regarding fines. This information will be held by HM Courts & Tribunals Service: HM Courts & Tribunals Service - GOV.UK