In April 2026, West Midlands Police seized and destroyed a £6,500 Tern HSD S00 electric cargo bike, which was legally on loan from Birmingham Bike Foundry. The incident occurred when officers stopped a cyclist in Birmingham city centre, suspecting the bike to be an illegal e-motorbike. The police conducted a speed test by lifting the rear wheel and pedalling, a method that led to the erroneous conclusion that the bike exceeded legal speed limits. (cyclinguk.org)
Following the incident, Cycling UK’s Cyclists’ Defence Fund (CDF) intervened, supporting both the rider and the bike shop. CDF highlighted that the bike was unmodified, fully compliant with Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC) regulations, and part of a council-funded scheme. The assessment method used by the police was deemed fundamentally flawed. (cyclinguk.org)
West Midlands Police acknowledged the error, apologised for the actions of the officers involved, and agreed to compensate Birmingham Bike Foundry for the loss of the bike. The force also committed to reviewing its procedures and providing additional training to officers to prevent similar incidents in the future. (road.cc)
This case underscores the importance of accurate and scientifically valid methods for assessing e-bike compliance. It also highlights the need for comprehensive training for law enforcement to ensure that legal e-bikes are not wrongly seized or destroyed.