Anti-social bikers have been targeted in a police operation to keep public areas safe.
The strategy named “Operation Endurance” was re-launched after a surge in reports of anti-social behaviour involving bikes and scooters, including one report of an elderly woman being knocked over.
Police will be conducting high visibility patrols in hotspot locations, including areas in Hesters Way, St Marks, St Pauls and Pittville.
Acting Sergeant Lee Walter from the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “We’d like to ask the public to report any anti-social riding of e-bikes, mopeds, scramblers or motorbikes.”
Police have already seized one electric bike earlier this month.
They have also put out a warning about different legislations for e-scooters/e-bikes and Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPCs).
“EAPCs need to have a maximum power of 250 watts, have pedals fitted to propel the bike and to not be able to travel faster than 15.5mph. People have been converting bicycles to be in excess of the 250 watts limit therefore making them motor vehicles.
If a bicycle or transporter exceeds any of the above points then it functions in the same way as a motorbike so needs to comply with the Road Traffic Act and be licensed, insured and registered.
Any bike which reaches the threshold of being an EAPC and doesn’t follow the legislation could be seized and disposed of under section 165 of the Road Traffic Act.”
If you have any information, pictures or footage involving bikes or other vehicles being driven anti-socially, you can report it at: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/a/your-area/local-policing-team-contact/contact-your-local-policing-team