Police are warning food delivery riders that they will lose their means of transport if they are caught riding illegally modified electric bicycles.
The warning comes after four such bikes were seized from Mansfield town centre on Thursday morning (3 September).
All had been fitted with powerful electric motors capable of propelling them faster than the 15 mph allowed under the law.
At that point, riders are deemed to be in charge of motorcycles and must meet all the legal requirements that come with owning and operating such a machine.
Four young men had their bikes seized from the town centre after entering various local premises to collect food orders.
PC Kevin Marshall, of the town centre policing team, said:
“We’ve had a lot of complaints about this issue and are taking robust action in response.
“We know these guys are only trying to make a living, but they absolutely cannot do it by riding what are effectively illegally owned and operated motorcycles through our town centre.
“They are a hazard to pedestrians and also to the riders themselves, who are risking serious injury by travelling at speeds well beyond the capabilities of their brakes and tyres.
“I am hopeful that our local delivery workers will take note of this action and seek appropriate and legal methods of transport.
“Until they do, we will continue to hit them in the pocket and take these bikes away from them.”
