From August 4 to 8, Hong Kong police conducted an operation targeting illegal electric bicycle (e-bike) use, arresting 42 individuals—39 men and 3 women—on charges including driving unregistered vehicles, driving without a valid license, and using vehicles without third-party insurance.
Among those detained, 11 were caught using e-bikes for food delivery.
Police spokesman from the West Kowloon Traffic Unit stated that undercover and uniformed officers carried out the operation across Sham Shui Po, Yau Tsim Mong, and Kowloon City districts. The suspects included 29 local men, three local women, and 10 non-Chinese men, aged 18 to 66.
The charges involved offenses such as riding on sidewalks, operating unregistered vehicles, driving without a license, lacking third-party insurance, and failing to wear a certified safety helmet. One suspect, holding temporary immigration papers, was additionally arrested for allegedly working illegally as a delivery rider and faces charges of conspiracy to defraud and violating employment restrictions.
Police suspect he used another person’s identity to register with a food delivery platform. All arrested individuals have been released on bail pending further investigation.
Authorities seized 42 e-bikes for examination. Inspector Cheng emphasized that e-bikes—which can reach speeds of 50 km/h or more—pose significant risks, as they are uninsured and unregulated, endangering pedestrians and other road users in the event of accidents.
Hong Kong law requires food delivery platforms to verify riders' identities using their HKID cards. Platforms have cooperated with police by freezing accounts of riders caught using unlicensed vehicles like e-bikes.
Police warned that using unregistered e-bikes or other powered mobility devices on public roads violates traffic laws, with penalties including up to 12 months in jail and a HK$10,000 fine.
