COUNCIL Chiefs have said e-bike riders are ‘getting the message’ after a crackdown on the vehicles in pedestrianised parts of Coventry City Centre.
West Midlands Police, the council and Coventry BID have been enforcing an amendment to the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which requires people to stop riding of e-bikes and e-scooters in pedestrianised areas of the city centre.
The PSPO has been amended because of an increase in the number of e-bikes, e-scooters and cyclists using these areas, leading to concerns being raised by visitors who were feeling unsafe.
Reports have also come to light of some people riding recklessly, at high speeds and in a dangerous manner.
The restrictions have been imposed in areas including Broadgate, Upper Precinct, Market Way, Smithford Way, Shelton Square, Hertford Street and Bull Yard.
As part of an education period, officers have been visiting a large number of takeaway businesses in the city centre and speaking to delivery riders on e-bikes.
Council officers said there has been an improvement, with several riders dismounting in the city centre.
Later this month there will be an intensive operation to continue to address the issue and to target anti-social behaviour.
The order was introduced in October 2017 to help reduce anti-social behaviour and those breaching it could face prosecution and fines up to £100.
The council’s deputy leader, Coun Abdul Salam Khan, said: “There has been an indication that the message is getting across to riders.
“But enforcement action will be increasing.
“We want to encourage different forms of sustainable transport across the city, but every traffic user needs to take responsibility, and not be a risk to others.
“We will also be clamping down on any cases of reckless behaviour on both manual cycles and scooters.”
