The deaths of two young people in electric bike incidents have highlighted the dangers of the vehicles and prompted a renewed crackdown by Northumbria Police. Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth has made tackling illegal e-bike use a key priority in her refreshed Police and Crime Plan.
Two deaths spark concern
Ms Dungworth said two young people have died in the last few months, one in North Shields and one in Morpeth. She said the deaths are the reason e-bikes are a focus of her plan and the subject of many discussions.
“The police have always seen electric bikes as a major issue and the number of deaths have highlighted how dangerous they are,” she said. “It’s across all different local authority areas that I cover.”
She added that most riders are “just kids being kids,” but young people think they are invincible and “it’s not going to happen to them.”
Police response and new tactics
Northumbria Police is already using drones to follow electric bike riders safely. Officers are now set to get e-bikes of their own so they can follow riders themselves, as pursuing them in cars is considered too dangerous.
“They can’t pursue people in cars because it’s too dangerous, and that’s what the kids want. They will ride backwards and forwards in front of police cars,” Ms Dungworth said. “That will never happen in Northumbria.”
The new police e-bikes are expected to allow officers to use the same footpaths, cycle tracks and wagonways as the riders and bring them to a safe stop. “It’s equipping the police better to do that,” the PCC said.
Public awareness and wider crime links
Police are also raising awareness of the laws around electric bikes, which can be sold in shops but are illegal to ride on public roads and footpaths. “There is nowhere legal they can ride them,” Ms Dungworth said. “We are going to do publicity focused on Black Friday and Christmas to make sure parents understand. Everyone needs to be involved because it’s not just a police issue.”
Ms Dungworth noted that while many e-bike users are young people wanting to fit in with friends, the bikes can be linked to other crimes. She said there is a connection with the drugs trade and county lines, and that young people gathering on the streets can be vulnerable to exploitation and drawn into more serious offending.
