“We face enough hatred as it is”: Cyclists thank police for pointing out 750W motor-powered vehicle with throttle up to 28mph is “not an e-bike”; “Take it easy over Cipressa”: Caleb Ewan’s advice to Pogačar for Milan-San Remo + more on the live blog

> Police vow to clamp down on “anti-social cycling” after arresting man for riding bike on pavement and failing to stop

Duarte Marivoet (Team UAE) wins the 5th stage of #TdRwanda2025 @RusiziDistrict --->@HuyeDistrict pic.twitter.com/cykKQOSqGt

— Sebutege Ange (@A_sebutege) February 28, 2025

It’s been a rather hard and bumpy road but if recent events are to go by, things might be moving in the right direction in terms of the narrative around differentiating motor-powered two-wheeled vehicles from e-bikes, as is evident by this social media post from Lancashire Road Police.

Sharing the pictures, the team wrote: “This is not an e-bike. This is a motor vehicle and must comply with RTA legislation.

“This particular vehicle has a 750W rear motor and can be independently powered by a twist throttle up to 28mph.”

And after a period of stoking and, honestly, simply incorrect use of terminology in the public sphere, it’s a breath of fresh air to see a roads policing team recognise this and put it out there for others to see as well.

> “30 minutes of Adrian Chiles gaslighting”: BBC accused of “attacking” e-bikes in “fishy, fearmongering” Panorama episode “littered with inaccuracy, misinformation, and bias” and painting “crime-ridden, apocalyptic vision”

The impact of the post was not lost on cyclists, with many, including popular camera cyclist Mike van Erp, better known as CyclingMikey, thanking the officers.

“Thank you for calling it what it is! Cyclists aren't keen on people calling these ebikes as we face enough hatred as it is,” wrote Mikey, who uses an e-bike to ride on London roads and report mobile-phone using or close passing drivers to the Met.

Another cyclist replied: “Good to hear police calling these what they are. So many still calling them e bikes which they are not,”

Dr Robert Davis, Chair of the Road Danger Reduction Forum, also chimed in, saying: “Excellent, Lancashire Road Police! I and many others (judged by loads of likes) are pleased that some Police Services are stressing this point. Language is important: illegally ‘modded’ e-bikes are NOT bicycles, electrical or otherwise, not least because of their high(er) speed potential.”

One of the reasons why the post was welcomed all the more jubilantly by cyclists across social media could be the recent BBC Panorama episode hosted by Adrian Chiles, titled  ‘E-Bikes: The Battle For Our Streets’, which took aim at the apparent culture war focused on e-bikes. However, the broadcaster didn’t seem to differentiate between mopeds, illegal motor-powered vehicles, illicitly modified e-bikes, and the actual e-bikes which are legal in the UK.

The episode was blasted by cyclists, who accused the BBC of “attacking” e-bikes in a “fishy, fearmongering” episode “littered with inaccuracy, misinformation, and bias” and painting “crime-ridden, apocalyptic vision”.

> “Framing it as a battle is false equivalence”: Former cycling commissioner says BBC’s claim of ‘a war on our roads’ is “exhausting” and “troublesome”

Despite the BBC claiming their reportage of the issue was “fair and impartial”, many cyclists and those in the industry expressed a contrasting view. Just days after the episode’s airing, the Bicycle Association (BA), the national body representing the cycling industry in the UK, lodged a formal complaint with the broadcaster.

A few days later, the owner of an e-bike shop in south London also branded the programme as “troubling” and “misleading”, with the potential to “unfairly influence public opinion and undermine the efforts of responsible retailers who prioritise safety, respectful riding, and adherence to the law”.

After calling it a day on his pro cycling career with Ineos Grenadiers and pivoting to a managerial role as the directeur sportif of the UCI WorldTour team Decathlon–AG2R La Mondiale, Luke Rowe has now announced that he’s written a new book — not your typical autobiography, but his own take on the pro peloton and all its ins and outs.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Luke Rowe (@lukerowe1990)

Titled ‘Road Captain’ and featuring a foreword by Mark Cavendish, the book’s coming out in June but is available to pre-order now in hardback, audiobook and ebook. Here’s what Rowe had to say about it: “Sports fans – I’ve written a book! I’m excited to share that Road Captain will be coming out in June this year.

“When I retired from racing, I didn’t want to write an autobiography. I wanted to write a book that gives a real insight into what exactly a road captain in professional cycling does. So, this is my take on the intricacies of the pro peloton through my lens as a long-serving road captain for Team Sky and Ineos, and of course the highs and lows along the way.”

> "Maybe it’s not the perfect pro image but f*** it": Luke Rowe downs a beer with his brother on Caerphilly Mountain at Tour of Britain

There are few races in which Tadej Pogačar has raced and hasn’t tasted victory. The first monument of the year, Milan-San Remo remains one of those, and the world champion has expressed how dearly he’d like to win the race, after failing in last year’s attempt.

So how can Pogačar kick off his monuments season with a win? According to Aussie pro and twice runner-up at the race, Caleb Ewan, he’d need to stay off the gas on Cipressa — the second last hill before the all-important Poggio, and follow wheels going into the race-deciding climb with “as many teammates as possible”.

“It will be difficult for Pogacar to win Milano-Sanremo. Especially with the current riders who are between climbers and sprinters, like Van der Poel,” he said on the Geraint Thomas Podcast. “Normally a rider like me wouldn't have to come over those climbs with the best, but if you're well positioned in the wheel, it can be a lot easier. What also plays a role: everyone knows that he's going to do something and there are no places in Milan-Sanremo where you can surprise someone.”

Caleb Ewan (Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

The 30-year-old who signed for Ineos Grenadiers in January, added: “The mistake he made in the past, in my opinion, was that he made it too hard on the Cipressa. That made the race between the Cipressa and Poggio very easy. More riders were dropped, while the lead-out to the Poggio is normally full throttle. I remember one year that I was riding 500 watts in the wheel before the Poggio even started.

"The approach became easier, which made the riders he had to drop fresher. His best bet in my opinion is to take it easy over the Cipressa and keep as many teammates as possible. And then do a full lead-out to the Poggio.”

Will Pogačar and UAE Team Emirates pay heed to Ewan’s tactics? And are they any good? We’ll find out on 22nd March… until then, gear up for the fifth monument of the season, as some would say, Strade Bianche, next weekend.