Numerous E-bikes and E-scooters were seized in the operation
A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs and possession of a knife.
He was apprehended as part of a police probe into illegal and antisocial use of E-bikes, E-scooters, and motorbikes in Cardiff.
Officers carried out the operation after what they said were ongoing concerns. They seized a number of E-bikes and scooters in the Fairwater, Gabalfa, and Whitchurch areas of the city.
Cannabis, cash, a mobile phone, and knife were also seized as a result of stop-searches.
A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs and possession of a knife.
The operation in Cardiff comes after police in Swansea city centre seized 29 illegal E-bikes in the months of April and May.
Riders were “given words of advice in most cases as officers aim to provide education on the law in the first instance,” they said.
PC Scott Pearson, from Swansea and Neath Port Talbot officers, said: “These bikes have been seized under Section 165 of the Road Traffic Act due to the riders not having a license or proof of insurance. In either case, the E-bikes are also not registered for use on UK roads.”
South Wales Police is urging people to check the law before buying an e-bike or e-scooter.
The force says on its website that electrical scooters (also known as E-scooters) and unregistered E-motorbikes are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act.
This means the rules that apply to motor vehicles also apply to E-scooters including the need to have a licence and insurance.
There are two ways of using an E-scooter:
- by privately owning one
- by renting one through an authorised rental scheme.
It’s not currently possible to get insurance for privately-owned E-scooters. This means it’s illegal to use them on the road or in public spaces such as parks, street pavements, and shopping centres.
If you use a privately-owned E-scooter in public you risk the vehicle being seized under the Road Traffic Act for having no insurance.
If you cause serious harm to another person while riding an E-scooter or E-motorbike the incident will be investigated in the same way it would if you were riding a motorcycle or driving a car.
If you own an E-scooter you can only use it in on private land such as in a garden but you must have the permission of the landowner to do so.
You can rent E-scooters in some parts of the UK. Where a rental trial scheme is running rental E-scooters can be used on public roads, some cycle lanes, and other public spaces. But you must follow the relevant road traffic laws or face prosecution.
To use a rental E-scooter in an approved area you must:
- hold the correct driving licence
- have insurance (the rental companies provide this when you hire from them)
- meet the minimum age limit (this can vary depending on the rental company)
If you breach the rules when using an E-scooter or E-motorbike you could face a fixed penalty notice as well as the seizure of your E-scooter/E-motorbike and its disposal.
Forces set and enforce penalties differently so the penalty will vary depending on where the offence is committed.
The fixed penalty notice could include:
- a £300 fine and six penalty points on your licence for having no insurance
- a £100 fine and three to six penalty points for riding without the correct licence
You could also be committing an offence if you’re caught:
- riding on a pavement: fixed penalty notice and possible £50 fine
- using a mobile phone or other handheld mobile device while riding: £200 and six penalty points
- riding through red lights: fixed penalty notice, £100 fine, and possible penalty points
- drink-driving: the same as if you were driving a car meaning you could face court-imposed fines, a driving ban, and possible imprisonment
If you’re using an E-scooter or E-motorbike in public in an antisocial manner you can also risk the vehicle being seized as has happened in Cardiff.
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