Deliveroo riders caught using illegal high-speed e-bikes could be banned from the platform as part of a new road safety crackdown.
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riders → catch → crackdown
The food delivery firm said it is introducing technology designed to identify riders travelling at speeds that a conventional bicycle or legal e-bike would be unlikely to sustain.
Where such speeds are detected, Deliveroo said it will contact riders to find out what vehicle they are using.
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they → say → vehicle
Those found to have knowingly registered the wrong vehicle, or who continue to breach the rules, could lose access to the platform.
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who → find → platform
Under UK regulations, e-bikes are required to stop providing electric assistance once they reach 15.5mph and must have a maximum motor power output of 250 watts.
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they → require → watts
However, modified bikes fitted with aftermarket conversion kits can exceed those limits, allowing riders to travel at significantly higher speeds.
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riders → modify → speeds
As part of the campaign, Deliveroo is also urging ministers to ban the sale of unsafe conversion kits, arguing that tougher regulation is needed to improve road safety.
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regulation → urge → safety
The move comes amid growing concerns over the use of illegally modified e-bikes on London's roads, particularly by delivery riders.
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move → come → riders
Paul Bedford, the company’s policy and sustainability director, said: “The safety of our riders and the public on the roads is a priority for us, and we take that responsibility incredibly seriously.
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we → say → responsibility
“That’s why we’re launching the Ride Safe campaign, in an effort to make our roads safer for everyone.
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roads → ’ → everyone
“We’re calling on the Government to go one step further and stop this problem at its source, because anyone can buy these kits, fit them to any bike, and put themselves and others at risk.
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anyone → call → risk
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“We think our industry has a responsibility to lead on e-bike safety, and we want the law to catch up.”
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law → read → safety
Deliveroo’s campaign was welcomed by Transport for London and London Fire Brigade, who recorded 171 e-bike fires last year, according to figures obtained by the Press Association.
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who → welcome → Association
E-bike and e-scooter fires are often caused by the failure of batteries, conversion kits or chargers.
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fires → cause → batteries
Products bought from online marketplaces have been found to be at greater risk of malfunctioning than those sold by established retailers because they are not subjected to the same level of regulation.
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they → buy → regulation
Richard Field, deputy assistant commissioner at London Fire Brigade, said: “We support this call from Deliveroo for a ban on the sale of unsafe conversion kits.
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We → say → kits
“Our firefighters are regularly attending very dangerous fires caused by converted push bikes.
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firefighters → attend → bikes
“Lithium batteries on push bikes have caused a significant number of fires in London when they are poorly installed or use incompatible components, like chargers.
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they → cause → chargers
“We would always recommend getting a professional or competent person to carry out a conversion and make sure to buy a battery from a reputable seller and that it is not second-hand.”
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it → recommend → seller
Dame Siobhain McDonagh, Labour MP for Mitcham and Morden, said: “Dangerous and non-compliant e-bike conversion kits pose a serious fire risk, and I strongly support action to stop them being sold online and on our high streets.
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them → say → streets
“I have seen the devastating consequences of unsafe e-bike batteries and equipment first-hand in my own constituency, and it is not something I want any other family to go through.”
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family → see → constituency
A Government spokesperson said: “E-bikes that have been modified to be faster and more powerful than the rules allow are motorbikes, and unless they have been registered, taxed and insured, they have no place on our roads.
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they → say → roads
“We’ve given police stronger powers to seize vehicles without needing to issue a warning, and we are cracking down on unsafe products sold online.”
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we → give → products
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