If you have a legal bike, there's nothing to worry about. If you have an illegal bike, it doesn't look like you have a good chance of keeping it.

Would your bike pass that test? While testing pedal assist, that rider's display shows 18mph and 17mph, if you look closely in 4k.

 

I could make my display never show more than 25kph - on the bike stand at least, haven't tried it yet on the road. I'd simply use three magnets on the rear wheel at odd angles instead of one, which blows my BBS01B's controller's tiny little mind, during which time it never reports more than 25kph to the display.

mine does that same as mileage its half lol

"Has it got a throttle ?"

Orificers scarpered immediately after the rider switched on the backward facing GoPro camera, coincidence? My GoPro is very conspicious on the my helmet's jawguard. I'd beep it off and off again shortly and audibly before any interaction with rozzing orificers, for emphasis, stating I'm a Youtuber.

Edited August 8, 2025Aug 8 by guerney

I've been thinking about this. The police have the right to stop any motor vehicle and check it and your I.D., but a pedelec is not a vehicle, as determined by the European Court of Justice. In that case, in order to stop and check you or your bike, they need reasonable grounds to suspect that you've committed a crime. The way I see it, when they stop you, you can say, "No thanks" and carry on. If they arrest you, you have justification for a civil claim against them for false arrest. You get about £500 for that or £1000+ if they take you back to the station.

 

Are there any lawyers, who can confirm this?

I doubt it is ever a good idea to refuse to stop for the police, whatever means of moving about you are using.

 

They can always say they thought you looked a bit like someone they were looking for, even if it wasn't strictly true. The 'reasonable suspicion' thing is a pretty broad power, and hard to argue with.

I doubt it is ever a good idea to refuse to stop for the police, whatever means of moving about you are using.

 

They can always say they thought you looked a bit like someone they were looking for, even if it wasn't strictly true. The 'reasonable suspicion' thing is a pretty broad power, and hard to argue with.

They often try those tricks on the Youtube auditors, who go around filming stuff, but they usually have to make a settlement from civil court proceedings taken against them. Here's an example:

I've been thinking about this. The police have the right to stop any motor vehicle and check it and your I.D., but a pedelec is not a vehicle, as determined by the European Court of Justice. In that case, in order to stop and check you or your bike, they need reasonable grounds to suspect that you've committed a crime. The way I see it, when they stop you, you can say, "No thanks" and carry on. If they arrest you, you have justification for a civil claim against them for false arrest. You get about £500 for that or £1000+ if they take you back to the station.

 

Are there any lawyers, who can confirm this?

Section 163 of the Road Traffic Act would cover it. No need for a reason. Not a lawyer, just an avid reader.

The way I see it, when they stop you, you can say, "No thanks" and carry on

As a road user you are under obligation by law that if stopped by the police you stop, and if asked to ID yourself, you ID yourself.

As a road user you are under obligation by law that if stopped by the police you stop, and if asked to ID yourself, you ID yourself.

These guys being checked aren't on the road.

Section 163 of the Road Traffic Act would cover it. No need for a reason. Not a lawyer, just an avid reader.

It applies to cycles being ridden on the road. These checks and the others I've seen are not done on the road.

These guys being checked aren't on the road.

 

Yes but they GO on the road, and the road traffic act covers all vehicles except those with the ability to take off, fly through the air and land.

 

Wheels = road

I really think that the police have powers to stop and speak to anyone at pretty much any time.

 

I have always found on the very few occasions I have been spoken to by police, they quickly work out whether they have found a scrote up to no good, or a normal person. Only a polite exchange of words is required.

 

Last time I was stopped - maybe ten years ago, it was about four in the morning . I was walking home after a late night out. I had consumed some alcohol.

 

They asked me where I was going - I said,

 

'Home. I have been out with a lady - had some dinner and a bottle of wine and now I am heading home."

 

They then said, "Sorry to have delayed you then. Can we give you a lift home. We just like to check up on who is out and about in the middle of the night.'

 

I'm fine with that. I didn't accept the offer of a lift. I was about half a mile from my house.

I've been thinking about this. The police have the right to stop any motor vehicle and check it and your I.D., but a pedelec is not a vehicle, as determined by the European Court of Justice. In that case, in order to stop and check you or your bike, they need reasonable grounds to suspect that you've committed a crime. The way I see it, when they stop you, you can say, "No thanks" and carry on. If they arrest you, you have justification for a civil claim against them for false arrest. You get about £500 for that or £1000+ if they take you back to the station.

 

Are there any lawyers, who can confirm this?

Would your bike pass that test?

The question was would your bike pass that no-load pedal assist speed limit test?

I really think that the police have powers to stop and speak to anyone at pretty much any time.

 

I have always found on the very few occasions I have been spoken to by police, they quickly work out whether they have found a scrote up to no good, or a normal person. Only a polite exchange of words is required.

 

Last time I was stopped - maybe ten years ago, it was about four in the morning . I was walking home after a late night out. I had consumed some alcohol.

 

They asked me where I was going - I said,

 

'Home. I have been out with a lady - had some dinner and a bottle of wine and now I am heading home."

 

They then said, "Sorry to have delayed you then. Can we give you a lift home. We just like to check up on who is out and about in the middle of the night.'

 

I'm fine with that. I didn't accept the offer of a lift. I was about half a mile from my house.

Anybody can stop and ask you questions. The question is whether you have to answer or co-operate in any way. We've established that you have to co-operate when they stop you on the road, but even then, I'm not sure what they can do if there's no grounds for suspicion of a crime. This is what AI says:

"In general, if a police officer stops you on your bicycle, you do not have to give them your personal details unless they suspect you of committing a crime or have reasonable grounds to believe you are linked to an offense."

"

In general, if a police officer stops you on your bicycle, you are required to stop and provide your name and address if they reasonably believe you have committed a traffic offense, or are acting suspiciously. However, you are not legally required to allow the officer to search your bicycle or its contents unless they have reasonable grounds to suspect a crime has been committed and have obtained the necessary legal authority to do so (such as a warrant or specific legal power like stop and search). "

 

A lot of people make assumptions about police powers, which the police use to their advantage, especially to intimidate you, but you have rights, which they're not allowed to infringe on.I'm not really interested in what's polite or friendly. I just want to know where the border is between what you must do.

Edited August 8, 2025Aug 8 by saneagle

Are you not already in breach of the law if you are riding a bicycle powered or unpowered on a pavement.

TBH all of this have they got the right to stop you etc annoys me. If you are legal (in all respects) what possible reason could you have for not complying. All of the bullshit that comes from refusal is a waste of everyone's time. Policing by consent belongs in the last century not in the jungle that is the UK.

Where I live you are obliged to carry I.D. but that doesn't mean every time you see a (armed) policeman they are screaming at you for your papers.

My own interactions with police here include random traffic stops, no problem. Checked at border by both German and Austrian police, mainly during Covid and because I'm driving a UK TT with Austrian plates I don't fit with normal traffic but it's never been anything more than a look and a wave apart from entering Germany in 2020 when Covid went mad. They asked where I was going, I said I have a ferry booked for tonight in Netherlands and they wished me a safe journey.

Another time was just after I came back to Austria, again in Covid hysteria season when isolation was required after trips abroad when the police appeared at my house because I hadn't filled a phone number in on an online form. He caught me sitting in the sun on the terrace with my wife, told me what the problem was and said he approved of my isolation location with it's view.

The only time I was asked for any documentation was when I had a traffic stop on my way home from work (yes I had had a beer so had to do a breathalyser) when they asked for car docs.

In every instance the interaction on both sides was polite, often with jokes and non confrontational as it should be. I guess I passed the attitude test.

Edited August 8, 2025Aug 8 by chris_n

Riding a paved area is illegal unless sign posted.

 

If they suspect an over powered motor or see a throttle then it is a motoring offence on the road with no licenece and bang to rights on the pavement .

Also their is saftey where any bike may be concerned.

Are you not already in breach of the law if you are riding a bicycle powered or unpowered on a pavement.

TBH all of this have they got the right to stop you etc annoys me. If you are legal (in all respects) what possible reason could you have for not complying. All of the bullshit that comes from refusal is a waste of everyone's time. Policing by consent belongs in the last century not in the jungle that is the UK.

Where I live you are obliged to carry I.D. but that doesn't mean every time you see a (armed) policeman they are screaming at you for your papers.

My own interactions with police here include random traffic stops, no problem. Checked at border by both German and Austrian police, mainly during Covid and because I'm driving a UK TT with Austrian plates I don't fit with normal traffic but it's never been anything more than a look and a wave apart from entering Germany in 2020 when Covid went mad. They asked where I was going, I said I have a ferry booked for tonight in Netherlands and they wished me a safe journey.

Another time was just after I came back to Austria, again in Covid hysteria season when isolation was required after trips abroad when the police appeared at my house because I hadn't filled a phone number in on an online form. He caught me sitting in the sun on the terrace with my wife, told me what the problem was and said he approved of my isolation location with it's view.

The only time I was asked for any documentation was when I had a traffic stop on my way home from work (yes I had had a beer so had to do a breathalyser) when they asked for car docs.

In every instance the interaction on both sides was polite, often with jokes and non confrontational as it should be. I guess I passed the attitude test.

It depends on what you call a pavement. There are plenty of places you can ride a bike that are not on the road. AI view:

AI Overview

 

No, riding on a cycle path does not constitute riding on the road for the purposes of the Road Traffic Act. While cycle tracks are often located alongside roads, they are considered separate facilities and are subject to their own rules and regulations outlined in the Highway Code.

 

My interest in this matter is whether the police have the legal right to stop you and thoroughly check your bike in a routine stop when you're riding on a cyclepath or other approved non-road cycling area, assuming that there are no grounds for suspicion of you committing a crime.

I tend not to believe AI unless I've fact checked it first. It wasn't that long ago that Google AI was saying the best way to stick cheese on pizza was to glue it.

I'm just slightly bewildered at the concept of a respectable individual who is not prepared to cooperate with a polite request to say what they are doing by a police officer, when asked, or to identify themselves when asked who they are.

 

I am put in mind of a video a couple of months ago by a bizzare delinquent, living in some hilly suburb in the north west who filmed and published video of his refusal to stop and fleeing at breakneck speed down footpaths. I easily found his actual address just from the information shown on screen.

 

Some people identified with the 'lad'. Don't understand that. He was one of those riff raffy wretches that fit themselves up with a go pro and set out to confront and abuse police doing their jobs while filming them for some riff raff channel on youtube.

 

Enabling outlawry on e-bikes, or approving of it is no good for any of us. The more it happens the more trouble we will get as riders.

Edited August 9, 2025Aug 9 by Tony1951

Road Traffic Act 1988

163 Power of police to stop vehicles

(1)A person driving a motor vehicle on a road must stop the vehicle on being required to do so by a constable in uniform.

 

(2)A person riding a cycle on a road must stop the cycle on being required to do so by a constable in uniform.

 

(3)If a person fails to comply with this section he is guilty of an offence.

 

Road Traffic Act 1988

192 General interpretation of Act

“road”, in relation to England and Wales, means any highway and any other road to which the public has access, and includes bridges over which a road passes,

 

Common law definition:-

A highway is a way over which there exists a public right of passage, that is to say a right for all Her Majesty’s subjects at all seasons of the year freely and at their will to pass and repass without let or hindrance. (Halsbury’s Laws (2019 Ed) 55[1]).

Absolute legality is one thing, but if a cop asks you details etc and you refuse, chances are they're not going to salute you and say, thank you for your time Sir, and wave you off on your merry way.

They're going to make the interaction difficult. They're going to then question you about the bike, what you have in your pockets or any number of things.

 

Have you been drinking Sir, or Your eyes seem a little glazed, have you taken any drugs.

Or even, we've had reports of such and such and you fit the bill

You will then be detained(ie handcuffed, without the cuffs being locked, so any movement they will tighten in a rather uncomfortable way) They'll then demand your id on pain of arrest and a wee trip down the station.

Edited August 9, 2025Aug 9 by AndyBike

I tend not to believe AI unless I've fact checked it first. It wasn't that long ago that Google AI was saying the best way to stick cheese on pizza was to glue it.

The rate of improvement is at an astronomical curve. The progression is really bonkers - but I doubt I need to tell you that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LD-PFnKmp8:2407

 

first thing i did when i got my bike is try get plod to chase me, they never bothered.

 

i have had plod in my house told them my bike was de restricted as rode past them going through the gate then masked up back then came in my house and took of there masks so sparked up a spliff