A Coventry City Centre Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), that has been operating since 2017 is having an impact on the behaviour of e-bike riders.

The Police, the Council and officers from the Business Improvement District (BID) were out in the city centre recently when they issued three Fixed Penalty Notices to e-bike riders.  The Police also seized an e-bike.  There have been three similar operations between the three partners in recent months.

The Council working with partners, introduced the protection order, to improve the safety of people in pedestrianized areas of the city centre, and to place restrictions on E-bikes, pedal cycles and E-scooters.

The PSPO was amended in November 2023 following reports of safety concerns from residents and city centre visitors.  These range from, the speed of E-bikes, pedal cycle and E-scooters, to obstructions in public walkways, and collisions.

The changes to the Order mean that Police Officers, and Council and BID Enforcement Officers are able to issue fines to people who ride E-bikes, pedal cycles, E-scooters through the City Centre.

Early evidence indicates that more riders are dismounting from their e-bikes in city centre pedestrianised areas as a result of the PSPO.

Cllr Patricia Hetherton, Cabinet Member for City Services, said: “We have seen a large number of e-cyclists dismounting when they get to the city centre which is positive news.

“We have put up lots of signage telling riders that they could be fined £100 if they ignore the order.

“Also, a number of joint operations between the Police, Council and BID, have been held to take enforcement action, however we have still found a small minority ignoring the new legislation.”

Sergeant Adam Lewis, from Coventry local policing area, said: “We have been regularly carrying out patrols and targeted operations around e-bikes in the city centre.

“Over the last couple of months, we’ve held a number of multi-agency operations to target anti-social behaviour, begging and shoplifting, as well as the ongoing issue of e-bikes.

“Along with seizing a number of e-bikes, these operations have helped us build a strong relationship with our partners from the local authority and the BID, reducing ASB as we head into the summer holidays.”

Cllr Abdul Salam Khan, Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities, and Deputy Leader of Coventry City Council, said: “E-bikes, pedal cyclists and E-scooters users have increased due to their popularity in the city, and this is part of the reason why the change to the Order was needed. 

“Pedestrians tend to be the most vulnerable traffic user and it’s important that we all take this on board. I’m pleased that more people are complying with the order.”

A key part of the order is to benefit pedestrians who feel unsafe when walking and travelling in pedestrianised areas of the city centre.

See the city centre map attached to show the area affected.

An order is created by a Council (“the Council”) under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, Section 59 (“the Act”).

PSPOs work in specific geographical area where there has been detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality, or that an activity is persistent or continuing nature, is, or is likely to be, such as to make the activities unreasonable, and justifies the restrictions imposed by the Order.

Coventry Business Improvement District (BID), which has been a partner in the joint operation, works with its levy payers to make the city centre a great place to visit and work.

BID Manager, Joanne Glover, said: “The safety of visitors, workers and residents in the city centre is of paramount importance and our absolute priority at the BID.

“The order is definitely having a positive impact and we are seeing significantly less reports of anti-social behaviour related to e-bikes. This is a great example of a partnership working together to foster a safer environment for everyone who uses the city centre.”

The City Centre Public Space Protection Order was first introduced in October 2017 to help reduce anti-social behaviour and speed up enforcement activities – where the behaviour has been persistent.

In the past six months more than 200 e-cyclists have been seen to dismount in pedestrianised areas, 21 fixed penalty fines have been issued and five bikes seized.

More partnership operations are being planned.