Hong Kong police arrest 84 in 3-day crackdown on illegal riders of electric mobility devices
- Twenty-nine of 84 devices seized in operation had been used for food delivery, and a number modified to carry up to 3 children as passengers
Acting Chief Inspector Ngai Siu-cheong of the New Territories North traffic unit said on Thursday that preliminary investigations indicated 29 of the 84 devices seized in the operation between Monday and Wednesday had been used for food delivery.
Ngai said police also recently discovered that some parents had been using e-bicycles to transport their children to and from school, as well as for other travel.
“Some parents even modified their e-bicycles to add extra seats, allowing them to carry more children, [as many as] two to three at a time,” he added.
Ngai urged parents not to use such electric mobility devices to transport children, stressing that “their acts not only violate the related laws but also pose a danger to the safety of all road users”.
According to the force, some of the electric mobility devices seized in previous operations could hit speeds of more than 50km/h (31mph).
Ngai said many parents caught in the latest operation did not have driving licences.
“They are unfamiliar with road conditions and traffic signals and put other road users at greater risk by riding such devices on the road,” he warned.
On May 27, police arrested a 34-year-old woman for eight traffic-related offences after she allegedly rode a suspected e-bicycle carrying three children without helmets as passengers, and ignoring road signals in Tin Shui Wai.
In the latest operation, the 84 electric mobility devices – 69 e-bicycles and 15 scooters – were intercepted in Tai Po, Sheung Shui, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai and Lok Ma Chau.
The 64 men and 20 women aged from 17 to 76 were detained on suspicion of offences such as riding an unregistered vehicle, driving without a licence, using a vehicle without third-party insurance and driving a motorcycle on a pedestrian path.
During the operation, officers also distributed more than 600 fliers to raise public awareness about the illegal use of electric mobility devices in those districts.
All suspects were released on bail pending further investigation.
Nai said police would continue to enforce strict actions against the illegal use of electric mobility devices, adding that driving such devices without a valid licence violated the Road Traffic Ordinance and other regulations.
Offences under the Road Traffic Ordinance are punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a HK$10,000 (US$1,280) fine.
According to the ordinance, a mechanically or electrically propelled bicycle is classified as a motorised vehicle.
