Police Confiscated This E-Bike Due to 103 MPH Allegation, But There's Something Off About It | Carscoops

      Authorities in the UK claim that this e-bike could achieve speeds exceeding 100 mph, although the photographs suggest otherwise.

      UK police recently confiscated two unlawful e-bikes during an operation. One of them is said to have the potential to reach 103.8 mph. However, officials did not clarify how this top speed was measured.

      E-bikes are becoming a significant concern in various areas, leading to increasingly serious repercussions. In the United States, they are often criticized for violating traffic regulations. In the UK, at least one e-bike is under investigation for allegedly being capable of reaching speeds in the triple digits.

      While it may be possible, it likely isn't accurate in this scenario. Regardless, this latest confiscation in the UK highlights how risky these bikes can be if misused.

      According to a social media update from North Yorkshire's outer neighborhood policing team, officers intercepted an "adapted bike" purportedly capable of achieving a maximum speed of 103.8 mph (167 km/h). This is an astonishing figure for anything resembling a bicycle. For reference, the legal limit for e-bike assistance in the UK is only 15.5 mph (25 km/h) with pedal assistance and a mandatory motor cutoff beyond that speed.

      Photos shared by the police show both seized bikes are undoubtedly beyond legal specifications, with visible aftermarket battery packs and alterations indicating the likelihood of throttle control and unrestricted motor support. This alone justifies their confiscation. However, the claim of triple-digit speeds raises questions.

      As an enthusiastic cyclist, I can affirm that nothing in the images suggests hardware typically connected to high performance. The bikes appear to have standard bicycle frames, wheels, spokes, pedals, and mechanical (rather than hydraulic) disc brakes.

      These components are not designed for, and in most instances, aren't even remotely capable of maintaining speeds close to those found on highways.

      There is also no evident sign of tires suitable for motorcycles, reinforced drivetrains, or robust braking systems that would typically be found with such speeds. Even if modified, it would be surprising if either bike could sustain speeds of 40 mph for any duration.

      Importantly, police have not clarified how the figure of 103.8 mph was determined. There's no indication of a road test, dynamometer measurement, controller data, or whether this number reflects a theoretical calculation instead of an actual speed. Without that information, it's challenging to grasp what "capable of" means in this context.

      We have contacted North Yorkshire Police for further information regarding the assessment of the e-bike's top speed and will update this article if more details become available. Nonetheless, these are precisely the kinds of bikes that people frequently modify. Even highly skilled cyclists can mismanage them and make errors.

      Commuters lacking experience but equipped with powerful bikes are clearly at a greater risk of causing accidents. Moreover, these types of bikes are notorious for catching fire if their batteries malfunction. Fortunately, in this instance, no one was injured.