I work in central London and I’m telling you: the two‑tier justice system is visible at every crossing. Motorists with plates and insurance are milked by cameras for 22mph in a 20 zone, while gig riders on effectively unregistered electric motorbikes are doing 30mph through red lights and on pavements with zero consequence.
On paper, e‑bikes are capped at around 15.5mph and must obey the Highway Code like anyone else; on the ground, I watch throttled machines doing double that, no helmets, no lights, no enforcement.
The authorities have published guidance, they’ve seized hundreds of illegal bikes, they know exactly what’s going on – they just don’t care enough to stop it.