Cyclists in London have described recklessly ridden and illegally modified e-bikes as a danger on the capital's bike lanes and roads. Morwenna Hughes was knocked off her conventional bicycle in Hammersmith on 16 June by an e-bike rider in a hit and run incident.
Ms Hughes' face was smashed, and her left arm was shattered, requiring a plate and six screws. She may not regain full mobility in her arm, with doctors suggesting she might only recover 70% of movement. Ms Hughes, a cyclist for 25 years, said the collision has shaken her confidence.
Hospitals have reported an increase in injuries to both pedestrians and e-bike riders. Legal e-bikes are restricted to 15.5mph, but many are illegally altered to exceed this speed. Jane Ouartsi was hit by a minor riding a Lime bike, resulting in a broken femur, fractured collar bone, and two spinal fractures that required three operations and 36 days in hospital.
Ms Hughes is advocating for e-bike registration, a re-evaluation of two-way bike lanes, and changes to pay-per-minute rental models, which she believes encourage reckless behaviour. The London Cycling Campaign's Tom Fyans stated that illegal e-bikes that exceed 15.5mph and do not require pedalling have no place on London's streets.
City Hall and the government currently have no plans to introduce registration for e-bikes. However, the dockless e-bike operator Forest has introduced plates on 500 of its bikes in Richmond in an effort to deter reckless riding. The Metropolitan Police have been conducting operations to address illegally modified e-bikes.