Call for Education After Police Mistakenly Destroy Council-Funded Tern HSD E-Bike
In a perplexing incident, the West Midlands Police destroyed a legal e-bike, the Tern HSD, while conducting a crackdown on illegal electric motorcycles. This incident has prompted a call for enhanced police education, as the bike’s owner has lodged a formal complaint.
The Tern HSD, a popular model in the UK’s category of Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPC), was acquired by Birmingham Bike Foundry for a community hire scheme aimed at reducing car dependency in the city. Funded by Birmingham City Council, these bikes were available to residents for £50 per month, allowing users to try before they commit to a purchase.
The mix-up occurred when police seized the bike on New Street, Birmingham, mistakenly classifying it as an electric motorcycle—requiring specific licensing and insurance. The rider was issued a Fixed Penalty Notice of £300 and faced the possibility of a court hearing.
Body-worn camera footage from the incident revealed a police officer inappropriate handling the bike, raising the rear wheel off the ground and misinterpreting the speed on the speedometer while the motor was not activated. Although EAPCs can assist up to 15.5mph legally, they can still reach higher speeds through pedaling or downhill riding. Birmingham Bike Foundry has since requested the return of the bike, valued at £5,500, but reportedly, it has been destroyed.
Allama Munir from Birmingham Bike Foundry expressed concern over the potential negative impact on their hire scheme. He noted that if customers perceive e-bikes as a target for police harassment, interest in the program will likely diminish. A formal complaint and financial claim for the destroyed bike have been submitted to the police.
Wheels for Wellbeing, a charity advocating for disabled cyclists, has raised alarms over a series of confiscations involving legal e-bikes and mobility aids over the past year. Policy Lead Kate Ball stated that while police face pressure to crack down on dangerous e-motorcycles, outdated motor vehicle laws create challenges for returning seized legal e-cycles and mobility aids to their rightful owners.
The charity is calling for national guidelines and training to enable law enforcement to accurately distinguish between legal e-cycles and illegal vehicles. Recently, the Association of Cycle Traders launched a specialized training program aimed at helping police differentiate between the types of electric bicycles. Jonathan Harrison from ACT noted that the initiative was prompted by recurrent cases of confusion around what constitutes a legal e-bike versus modified or illegal motorcycles.
Duncan Dollimore, Cycling UK’s Associate Director, stated that the cyclist declined the Fixed Penalty Notice pending the outcome of the complaint and is awaiting a response from West Midlands Police. He hopes for recognition of the mistake and the necessary compensation for Birmingham Bike Foundry.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police confirmed the seizure on April 24 but maintained that the rider was informed of their rights to contest the decision in court. The police department is currently reviewing the complaint regarding the bike’s destruction.
Misunderstandings surrounding electric bike regulations have fueled misinformation that affects public perception and, ultimately, the market. The conversation regarding e-bikes is critical as it shapes policy and community attitudes towards sustainable transportation.
Sources:
- Birmingham Bike Foundry
- Wheels for Wellbeing
- Association of Cycle Traders (ACT)
- Cycling UK
- West Midlands Police
