Man caught riding e-bike under influence of alcohol

A man has been banned from driving for three years, after he was caught riding a modified e-bike while under the influence of alcohol.

Emile Adams insisted his vehicle was a ‘push bike’. However it had a fixed motor with a greater output of 250W and the power assistance did not cut out at 15.5mph, meaning it did not comply with the regulations required for it to be classed as an electrically assisted pedal cycle.

He gave a roadside breath test reading of 92 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml breath – nearly three times the legal limit of 35 micrograms.

However, he failed to provide an evidential sample in custody, and was subsequently arrested and charged with the following:

• Failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis
• Driving or riding a motor vehicle in public without valid insurance
• Driving or riding a mechanically propelled vehicle otherwise than on a road
• Driving while disqualified (having already been disqualified from driving previously)

The incident occurred on the seafront lawn beside King Edward’s Parade on 29 January, when officers were conducting roadside patrols at the launch of the new Sussex Police Fatal Five Unit.

Adams, 35, of Haystoun Close, Eastbourne, pleaded guilty to all offences and appeared before Lewes Crown Court on 27 February, where he was disqualified from driving for 36 months and given a 12-month community order.

He was also ordered to pay £150 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.