'Dangerous' e-bike seized could reach 80mph

The rider of the bike was also not wearing a helmet when riding at speeds of more than 35mph, police say

An adapted e-bike which could reach "incredibly dangerous speeds" of more than 80mph has been seized by police.

Northumbria Police said it was the fastest illegally modified pedal cycle officers had come across in Sunderland.

It was stopped on Durham Road following reports it was travelling in front of a car, reaching speeds of more than 35mph, making it illegal to ride.

PC Jamie Allan, of the city's Operation Capio team, set up to prevent anti-social motorcycle use, said the speed of 83.2mph the bike could reach was "incredibly worrying".

The seizure of the illegally modified bike was one of more than 100 made by police in Sunderland this year.

E-bike riders must have motors that can reach speeds of up to 15.5mph, national rules state.

Bikes with faster motors must be classed as motor vehicles, such as motorcycles or mopeds and riders must have a licence.

It was the fastest adapted e-bike the force had seized

PC Allan said the rider not only had an adapted bike to reach higher speeds, but was not wearing a helmet.

"Not only is it a danger to the rider, who chose not to wear a helmet while travelling at ludicrous speeds, it's a danger to members of the public who are going about their day-to-day life," he said.

"If a pedestrian was hit by an illegally modified pedal cycle travelling at 80mph, the outcome would most likely be life-changing, if not fatal."

Last month, the force seized 10 adapted e-bikes and a motorised scooters in Sunderland city centre and said their use was "terrorising people".

Earlier this month a Carlisle woman said her life changed forever after she was hit by an e-bike.

Councillor Lindsey Leonard, cabinet member for environment, transport and net zero at Sunderland City Council, said: "We know the nuisance illegally modified pedal cycles and motorbikes cause and the disruption and misery is a real concern for our residents.

"This is exactly the kind of result we were looking for when we joined forces with Northumbria Police to set up the joint taskforce."

Police are urging anyone who witnesses an illegally modified pedal cycle or electric motorbike being ridden dangerously to contact the force.