Police hunt e-bike speeders: over 31 km/h without insurance!

Police hunt e-bike speeders: over 31 km/h without insurance!

The streets in and around Burg are a hot spot - not only for cyclists, but also for the police. On September 13, 2025, the police carried out a speed check along Zerbster Chaussee. Four violations were identified. The highest measured value was 70 km/h, well above the permitted speed of 50 km/h. The police operations show that traffic law is very serious in the region - even if one or the other may have a good knack for speeding.

But it's not just high-speed driving that's a concern. On the same day, young people caused a riot in Möckern when they shouted xenophobic slogans that glorified the Nazi regime. Residents reported the situation to the police, but it cleared up before officers arrived. Three minors between the ages of 13 and 16 were then picked up. They had characteristics of the right-wing scene, but emphatically denied their involvement. Proceedings were initiated against her for incitement to hatred and the use of unconstitutional symbols.

Illegal e-bike tuning in focus

A particular focus, however, was on an incident on September 14th. A 35-year-old e-bike rider was found by the police on the B1 in the direction of Burg after he was traveling noticeably fast. His e-bike was modified so that it could reach speeds of 31 km/h without pedaling - well above the legally permitted 25 km/h for Pedelecs. As various reports show, the tuning of e-bikes has developed into a serious problem. It is estimated that around 10% of all e-bikes are tampered with and the risks are significant. Brakes can fail at higher speeds, and tuning voids manufacturers' legal warranty claims.

As wattmoves.de reports, tuned e-bikes can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h. Such speeds not only endanger the driver, but also other road users. The police discovered that the man had no insurance and no license to drive his modified e-bike. The bicycle was seized on site while the driver continued on foot. ziv-zweirad.de also warned of the technical and legal consequences of tuning, which not only endangers safety, but also means that many e-bikes are no longer covered by liability insurance.

The general conditions for e-bikes

The Road Traffic Act (StVG) stipulates that e-bikes are classified as bicycles as long as they do not exceed a nominal power of 250 watts and a maximum speed of 25 km/h. These laws serve to protect drivers and other road users. Manufacturers are already trying to develop technical solutions against tuning. For example, Bosch has implemented software that reduces engine power if tampering is detected.

Manufacturers and road users are called upon to develop more awareness of this issue. Finally, it is becoming increasingly important to ensure that the infrastructure for bicycles can also meet the demands of increased speeds. Responsible use of your own four wheels - and e-bikes - is of great importance not only in the interests of your own safety, but also for the well-being of all road users.

The incidents in Burg make it clear that not only speeding, but also the use of e-bikes is a serious issue that the police and the community should have on the radar.