Police chief warns of 'massive risk' of illegal e-bikes following tragic death of much-loved mum
“You need to understand what you are purchasing and understand the risks you are putting your child under”
A police chief has warned parents to be aware of the “massive risk” posed by electric e-bikes such as the Sur-Ron model driven by Billy Stokoe before he fatally collided with much-loved mum and grandmother Gloria Stephenson.
Mrs Stephenson, 86, was hit by the illegally ridden electric bike while walking her daughter’s dog in Burdon Road, Silksworth on May 16 last year. She had been making her away across a zebra crossing at the time.
In February, Stokoe admitted causing death by driving an unregistered electric motorcycle dangerously.
He also admitted causing death while driving with no licence or insurance.
Today (May 15) he returned to Newcastle Crown Court where he was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison.
Superintendent Billy Mulligan described the incident as an “accident waiting to happen” after footage of the build-up to the collision showed Stokoe using his mobile phone, driving at speed and weaving in and out of traffic without a helmet.
As bikes such as the one Stokoe was riding are capable of accelerating from 0-60mph more quickly than most cars, Supt Mulligan was keen to stress to parents the dangers the bikes pose, both to their children and - as was tragically the case for Mrs Stephenson - pedestrians and other road users.
He said: “This is an incident which could have happened in any town, city or village. The only place these types of bikes can be legally used is on private land. Parents need to realise that just because you can buy them in a shop, doesn’t mean they are legal to ride.
“The bike that Billy was driving was not fit for the road and should never have been on the road. To the parents that are buying these e-bikes and scooters for their loved ones, you need to understand what you are purchasing and understand the risks you are putting your child under.”
Supt Mulligan said he believed the rise of a “culture of kids riding these bikes in balaclavas” was a regional and national issue of concern.
He added: “These kids wear balaclavas to hide their identity. They don’t have licences, and they’re not trained to ride these powerful bikes in this manner - most of them have never even passed a driving test.
“These bikes are being bought for kids as they’re on birthday and Christmas lists. These are very expensive bikes which are being bought by parents, many of whom think they are legal and roadworthy, when they aren’t.
“People need to be aware these kids are committing the offence of illegally riding these bikes, but their parents can also be held to account.
“This is why it’s important to get what happened in this incident which led to the death of Gloria Stephenson out there, so people are aware of the consequences.”
Supt Mulligan said greater responsibility also needed to be shown by the outlets selling e-bikes and scooters.
He added: “Some shops do have signs which state these bikes can’t be used on the road, but it doesn’t seem to stop people. We will always look at the outlets selling these bikes, and so we are working in the community to look at where people are purchasing these bikes from.
“Our officers will approach these stores and education is important so providers are aware of what happens after these bikes are sold, and the associated risks. I think legislation on the sale of these bikes will change, but until that point, my plea to anyone selling these bikes is to understand the risks that you create in the community.”