by Police destroyed a legal $8,000 e-bike due to a flawed inspection
Most cyclists worry about their two-wheeled transport being stolen. One UK resident faced a completely different problem. His expensive e-bike was seized by police, deemed illegal, and destroyed, even though the vehicle fully complied with the law.
The story of the incident
The incident occurred with a Tern GSD cargo e-bike owned by Birmingham resident Matin Zandi. According to reports, the value of this electric bicycle was around £6,000 ($8,000). It was purchased through a city program aimed at promoting eco-friendly modes of transport.
According to a BBC report, the bike was seized during an operation targeting illegal high-powered electric two-wheelers, such as the Sur-Ron Light Bee. These machines often resemble bicycles but function as electric mopeds, having significantly more power and requiring almost no pedaling.
The problem is that Zandi’s Tern was not one of these vehicles. The motor power of this three-seat cargo bike is limited to the legal threshold set by UK regulations, which restricts electric assistance to 15.5 mph (25 km/h).
The flawed test
However, officers concluded that the e-bike exceeded the permitted limit after conducting a roadside test. They lifted the rear wheel and manually turned the pedals, which easily forced the digital speedometer to show a much higher speed. This is like putting a Citroen 2CV on cinder blocks to prove it can reach 100 mph (161 km/h).
Footage from a body-worn camera, reviewed by the BBC, shows Zandi trying to explain why this test does not demonstrate what the officers believe. According to the report, the procedure only showed how fast the wheel could be spun by hand, not that the motor provided illegal assistance.
“We tried to convince the police to admit their mistake, but they wouldn’t,” Zandi told the BBC.
Possible penalty for the owner
The consequences went far beyond the loss of an expensive bicycle. To add insult to injury, Zandi was also told that he could face a fine and penalty points on his license. He is now challenging the decision in court with support from Cycling UK, Tern, and Birmingham Bike Foundry. Advocacy groups told the BBC that similar errors have occurred with other legal mobility devices, including equipment used by people with disabilities.
West Midlands Police stated that they had received a complaint regarding the seizure and are reviewing the matter. Unfortunately for the owner, this review came too late for the bicycle itself, which, despite costing as much as a decent used car, had already been sent to scrap metal.
Tern
This case raises serious questions about the competence of police officers when conducting e-bike inspections. The method used by the officers is technically incorrect, as it measures the rotational speed of the wheel, not the actual speed the bicycle can reach while in motion. The situation also highlights the need for clearer instructions and training for the police regarding the identification of legal and illegal e-bikes. The loss of an expensive vehicle purchased through a government program is not only a personal tragedy for the owner but also indicates potential flaws in the law enforcement system, which can have serious financial and legal consequences for ordinary citizens. The court proceedings in this case could set a precedent for similar incidents in the future.
