Policies and training for stopping E-bikes

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.042129

I note you seek access to the following information:

I saw an e-bike travelling very fast in the opposite direction - I would estimate around 40-50mph. The rider was not pedalling, and so it was very obviously an illegal e-bike.

1. What is the police force’s policy on police officers stopping e-bikes which are clearly illegal. Again, this instance was not even close to being marginal.
2. Is the one unit policy true.
3. Why is special training needed in order to stop e-bikes that are clearly illegal.
4. Does the one unit policy refer to the whole Metropolitan Police, or just one police sub-area.
5. Why is there a different policy on stopping e-bikes relative to stopping other vehicles. Ie, other vehicles which are not road-worthy would presumably be stopped by any police officer.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full. Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - What is the police force’s policy on police officers stopping e-bikes which are clearly illegal.

Any Police Officer can stop an E-Bike should they believe it is safe to do so. This is covered in the pedal cycle construction and use regulations which allow any Police Officer in uniform to stop a pedal cycle as an extension of their S163 Road Traffic Act powers. However, it is possible that the device you have described is an electric motorcycle rather than an E-Bike. In order to pursue motorcycles Police Officers are required to be appropriately trained response and TPAC (Tactical Pursuit & Containment driver) drivers. Additionally, this pursuit would then be monitored and controlled by METCC (Met Command & Control – who provide London with its police response service, handling emergency and non-emergency phone calls), providing tactical advice and ensuring the risk management of those involved and that of the wider public. This requirement is set out to a national standard by the College of Policing.

Q2 - Is the one unit policy true.

See answer to Q1.

Q3 - Why is special training needed in order to stop e-bikes that are clearly illegal.

Any Police Officer can stop an E-Bike should they believe it is safe to do so. Officers from the MPS’s Cycle Safety Team provide officer training to assist with recognising E-Bike’s and how to understand and enforce offences, utilising the appropriate legislation.

Q4 - Does the one unit policy refer to the whole Metropolitan Police, or just one police sub-area.

See answer to Q1.

Q5 - Why is there a different policy on stopping e-bikes relative to stopping other vehicles? I.e. other vehicles which are not road-worthy would presumably be stopped by any police officer.

Legal E-Bikes are bicycles and the stopping of them is within the skills of regular Police Officers. If however, an E-Bike has been modified, it legally becomes an electric motorcycle. Stopping this type of vehicle is still within the skills of a Police Officer, however if these vehicles fail to stop and a police pursuit commences, due to the increased dangers to those involved and the wider public, specialist pursuit trained Police Officers are utilised as detailed in Q1.