Police decision to destroy legal e-bike on loan challenged as Cyclists’ Defence Fund turns 25

On 24th April 2026, West Midlands Police stopped a cyclist on suspicion of riding an e-motorbike on the road without a licence plate, tax or insurance. The stop ended in the seizure and destruction of a legal e-bike, a £6,500 Tern HSD S00 electric bike on loan from Birmingham Bike Foundry and  issuing a fixed penalty notice to the rider. 

Cycling UK is supporting both the rider and Birmingham Bike Foundry through the Cyclists' Defence Fund (CDF), which is marking its 25th anniversary this year, 

after learning the bike was unmodified, fully legal and on loan from the Foundry through a charitable scheme. CDF suggests further evidence also reveals the assessment used to determine whether the cycle complied with Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC) regulations was fundamentally flawed.  

Body-worn video footage obtained from police appears to show officers testing the cycle by lifting the rear wheel from the ground, turning the pedals by hand and recording the speed displayed on the bike's own speedometer. CDF believes this method is incapable of determining whether an e-bike complies with regulations as any bicycle equipped with a rear-wheel speed sensor can display speeds above 15.5mph when the wheel is spun freely. 

To be considered a legal e-bike, the rider needs to pedal for the motor to assist, and it needs to cut out at 15.5mph. Bikes that exceed this limiter or that were purchased and then modified to go faster are categorised as e-motorbikes under the law, requiring insurance, a license, and road tax. People riding electric motorbikes are not allowed to use cycle lanes. 

Through the Cyclists' Defence Fund, Cycling UK is supporting both the rider and Birmingham Bike Foundry in clarifying how a £6,500 e-bike came to be destroyed despite evidence suggesting the testing process used to assess it was inadequate.  

The latest case comes as the Cyclists’ Defence Fund (CDF) marks its 25th anniversary. Initially established in response to the case of Darren Coombes, a nine-year-old cyclist who suffered brain damage from a collision with a car driver, Cycling UK set up the Cyclists’ Defence Fund (CDF) to support cyclists in similar cases.  

While the immediate consequences have fallen on one rider, the implications of the case extend much further. The charity believes too many people remain uncertain about what is safe and legal to buy, while reports of legal e-bikes being seized and destroyed increasing suggests further training on how to differentiate between legal e-bikes and e-motorbikes is needed. 

Cycling UK has previously made the case for clearer guidance, improved public information and more consistent training to ensure everyone, from consumers and retailers to police officers and enforcement agencies better understand what constitutes a legal e-bike.   

Duncan Dollimore, Associate Director at Cycling UK, said:  

“This year marks the 25th anniversary of Cycling UK's Cyclists' Defence Fund supporting cases that matter for people who cycle. We've seen real progress in defending people's freedom to cycle for their journey. 

“While cycling and technology have changed significantly in the last quarter century, the need to stand up for people who want to cycle when things go wrong remains the same. Especially in cases where there is real confusion around the law and how to apply it. Cases like this underline the need for clearer guidance for police on how legal e-bikes are identified and assessed, as distinct from illegal electric motorbikes. Pair that with better public understanding of the rules of the road, and we can make our streets safer for everyone who walks, cycles or drives.”

The Cyclists’ Defence Fund relies entirely on donations. Over the next month, Cycling UK is running an appeal to raise funds for the CDF to ensure it can respond quickly when an important case arises. Everyone who donates to the appeal will receive a specially designed Cycling UK mug as a thank you. 

To help Cycling UK continue to support people through the fund, visit: www.cyclinguk.org/cdf-appeal  

Previous landmark CDF cases:  

Darren Coombes, July 2001 

Darren Coombes, a nine-year old cyclist, suffered brain damage from a collision with a car driver. Cycling UK, became concerned after the driver’s insurers responded to Darren’s claim for damages by seeking to reduce Darren’s compensation, claiming contributory negligence because Darren was not wearing a helmet. Although the insurer’s claim was ultimately defeated, CDF was formed in the aftermath to defend cyclists in similar precedent-setting cases. 

Shoreham Judicial Review, January 2022 

In November 2020, West Sussex County Council removed a popular cycle lane it had installed just weeks earlier in the seaside town of Shoreham. The cycle lane had been installed in September 2020 through government funding to help more people walk and cycle during the pandemic, and it had been hugely popular, serving five schools along its length, with 30,000 trips made during its short lifespan. 

Cycling UK challenged the removal by bringing a judicial review, and successfully argued the council had acted unlawfully when making the decision. In January 2022, a court order confirmed the council had acted unlawfully, ordering it to pay £25k in legal costs to Cycling UK.  

Tom Bosanquet, October 2022 

In 2022, Bristol cyclist Tom Bosanquet was prosecuted for inconsiderate cycling, after allegedly delaying a driver for a few seconds, when he challenged another driver for using his mobile phone while stopped at traffic lights. The driver of the van who was behind, beeped his horn, and despite Tom setting off again just seconds later, the van speeded past him through a red light. 

Given the two drivers had both committed criminal offences, and Tom had not, Cycling UK believed the police should never have referred the case to the Crown Prosecution Service. Cycling UK challenged the case, using footage Tom had caught on camera in an attempt to support law enforcement collect evidence of bad road behaviour. In October 2022, the challenge was successful, with the CPS ultimately dropping the case. 

Michael Mason, April 2017 

In 2017, Cycling UK’s Cyclists’ Defence fund brought a private prosecution to seek justice after 70-year old teacher Michael Mason died from his injuries after a collision with a car in London’s Regent Street during a busy February evening. The driver, Gail Purcell, was acquitted of careless driving charges by the jury, but despite that, it was important and the right thing to do to fight the case. 

The Crown Prosecution Service’s guidance indicates that charging decisions in fatal collision cases should be referred to the CPS, the London Metropolitan Police had refused to do so, despite repeated requests. Cycling UK believed the Met’s rationale for this amounted in large part to victim blaming – Michael was wearing dark clothing – and dismissing witness accounts as irrelevant, which made their investigation seriously flawed. This is why CDF funded a private prosecution. Although the driver was acquitted at trial, the case shone a light on issues which needed to be addressed, including the current classification of careless and dangerous driving offences.