A homemade bike fitted with a scooter motor and held together with tape and cable ties has been seized by police in Kirkby-in-Ashfield.
Officers said the vehicle initially looked like a mountain bike, but closer inspection revealed a motor, extensive wiring and a collection of DIY modifications.
According to Ashfield Police, the machine was capable of reaching around 28mph. It was seized after officers found it was being ridden without insurance.
Sharing details of the discovery, police described it as “a rather interesting piece of DIY engineering”.
“At first glance, it looked like a mountain bike. A closer inspection revealed a scooter motor, plenty of wiring and enough tape to keep the local DIY shop in business,” officers said.
Police used the incident to remind riders that fitting pedals does not automatically make a motorised vehicle a legal electric bicycle.
The force said that, to qualify as an Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle, electrical assistance must cut off at 15.5mph, alongside meeting other legal requirements.
Vehicles falling outside those requirements may be treated as motor vehicles, meaning requirements such as a driving licence and insurance can apply.
Officers seized the modified bike under Section 165A of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
“Unfortunately, the impressive collection of tape and cable ties didn’t include an insurance policy,” police added.
