E-bikes: are they a green solution to urban gridlock, or a two-wheeled menace terrorizing pedestrians? Panorama tackles this increasingly contentious issue, exploring the rapid rise of electric bikes and their impact on Britain’s streets. Adrian Chiles steers the investigation, examining both sides of the e-bike debate.
While some hail e-bikes as a sustainable alternative to cars, others view them as a hazard, zipping through pedestrian zones and flouting traffic laws. The program exposes a surprising revelation: some high-powered e-bikes, marketed as commuter-friendly, are actually illegal on public roads. It’s a regulatory grey area ripe for exploitation.
Councils and police are struggling to keep pace with the e-bike boom, leaving many feeling overwhelmed. Is it a free-for-all, or is there a path to peaceful coexistence between e-bikes and other road users? Panorama aims to provide some answers, exploring the challenges and potential solutions to this evolving transportation landscape.
Panorama airs Monday, January 6, 2025, at 8:00 PM on BBC One.
