Last night, I had a frightening encounter on the South Bank pedestrian and cycle lane that could have ended tragically, for me and for the pedestrians and cyclists around me.

Context:

London’s pedestrian and cycle lanes are and MUST BE designed to provide a safe space for cyclists, families, children, commuters, and pedestrians interacting with shared spaces. 

The Problem:

ILLEGAL modified high-powered electric vehicles use these lanes, ILLEGALLY, camouflaged as e-bikes, which they are not !!!

1) They move ILLEGALY using a throttle without pedalling. Legal e-bikes in the UK are limited to pedal assistance up to 15.5 mph and require the rider to pedal. This is a key point and a key definition of an e-bike: AN E-BIKE REQUIRES THE RIDER TO PEDAL. If a vehicle can accelerate without pedalling and travel at moped speeds, it should follow moped rules: registration, insurance, appropriate road use, and enforcement.

2) They travel ILLEGALLY well above legal e-bike speeds, often exceeding 20–30 mph

3) They have ILLEGAL modified powerful motors far beyond legal e-bike limits

The Solutions:

We call on Transport for London, London councils, London Mayor and the Metropolitan Police for 

ENFORCEMENT against illegal throttle-controlled and modified e-bikes.

ENFORCEMENT against delivery platforms to ensure vehicles used by riders meet UK e-bike regulations.

ENFORCEMENT to protect safe cycling and walking infrastructure for genuine cyclists and pedestrians.