Latest news with #electricmotorbike
The Sun
6 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Heartbreak as grandma, 86, dies after being struck by electric motorbike ‘while using zebra crossing' in horror crash
A HEARTBROKEN family have paid tribute to their 86-year-old grandma who died after being struck by an electric motorbike in a horror crash. Gloria Stephenson was mowed down as she used a zebra crossing on Burdon Road in Sunderland on May 16, police revealed. The black Sur-Ron e-bike was travelling in a southbound direction when it was said to have hit Ms Stephenson, said Northumbria Police. Cops confirmed that an 18-year-old was arrested later on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after allegedly fleeing the scene, with the bike also recovered. The teenager has since been released on police bail pending further inquiries. Gloria's family have now paid tribute to the "amazing" pensioner, saying she was "full of life". 'We are all devastated at the loss of our vibrant, active, beautiful, and intelligent mam, grandma, mother-in-law and great grandma," the family said. They added: "She was active, fit, healthy, and had years left to give her love and share her energy and zest for life with everyone who knew her. "The family want to express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to everyone who supported mam, and her daughter and grandson at the scene." Locals said she was walking her daughter's rescue terrier at the time. Following the tragedy, neighbours revealed Gloria was walking her daughter's rescue dog - and said she was so fit and healthy that they had expected her to live to 100. Northumbria Police has urged witnesses to contact them with information and footage of the collision. Sergeant Russell Surrey, of Northumbria Police, said: "Our thoughts remain with all of Gloria's family and loved ones as they try to process what has happened. "We will support them in any way that we can, as we look to get them the answers they deserve. "I'd like to thank those who have been in touch to share information and footage with us so far – and would urge any further witnesses to contact us. "As ever, we would ask people to refrain from speculating on the circumstances both online and in the community – as it could have a negative impact on the case." 1
Telegraph
7 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
Grandmother, 86, killed by e-bike while crossing road
An 86-year-old died after allegedly being hit by an electric motorbike while she was using a pedestrian crossing. Police said a teenager has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after Gloria Stephenson died in Sunderland on May 16. Northumbria Police said it was understood she was using 'a zebra crossing when she was struck by a black Sur-Ron electric motorcycle, travelling in a southbound direction'. 'Vibrant, active, beautiful' Paying tribute, her family said: 'It is with great sadness that our amazing mam, Gloria Stephenson, was tragically killed on the 16th of May. 'We are all devastated at the loss of our vibrant, active, beautiful, and intelligent mam, grandma, mother-in-law and great-grandma. 'The press described her as an 'elderly lady' - however, we want to make absolutely clear that our mam was full of life. 'She was active, fit, healthy, and had years left to give her love and share her energy and zest for life with everyone who knew her. 'The family want to express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to everyone who supported mam, and her daughter and grandson at the scene.' 'Get them the answers they deserve' Police said the rider initially drove away from the scene but he was arrested later on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and the bike was recovered. The teenager has been released on police bail pending further inquiries. Sergeant Russell Surrey, of Northumbria Police, said: 'Our thoughts remain with all of Gloria's family and loved ones as they try to process what has happened. 'We will support them in any way that we can, as we look to get them the answers they deserve. 'I'd like to thank those who have been in touch to share information and footage with us so far - and would urge any further witnesses to contact us.'
Daily Mail
29-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS First picture of grandmother, 86, killed by electric bike on zebra crossing after teenager is quizzed by police
An 'active and beautiful' great grandmother who died after being mown down by a electric motorbike was using a zebra crossing at the time, police revealed today. Amid mounting concern at the scourge of illegal high-performance e-bikes, Gloria Stephenson's devastated family paid tribute to her as an 'amazing mam'. The 86-year-old was one of two pensioners who died after being hit by an electric motorbike on the same day, just 100 miles apart. Less than four hours later Shaat Bibi, 72, was struck as she crossed the road near her home in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Mrs Bibi later died in hospital from her injuries with her grieving family calling for a crackdown on e-motorbikes. After the tragedy in Sunderland on May 16, neighbours revealed Mrs Stephenson was walking her daughter's rescue dog - and said she was so fit and healthy that they had expected her to live to 100. An 18-year-old was later arrested later on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after allegedly fleeing the scene. The double tragedy comes as police seizures of illegally-modified electric bikes have soared amid increasing concerns they are a 'death trap' for pedestrians and riders. Today Northumbria Police said it understood that Mrs Stephenson was using 'a zebra crossing when she was struck by a black Sur-Ron electric motorcycle, travelling in a southbound direction'. They said the 18-year-old rider initially drove away from the scene on Burdon Road near to the junction with Lidcombe Close. The teenager has been released on police bail pending further inquiries as officers renewed their appeal for witnesses to come forward. Paying tribute today, relatives of Mrs Stephenson, who lived in the Silksworth, Sunderland, said she was an 'amazing mam'. 'We are all devastated at the loss of our vibrant, active, beautiful, and intelligent mam, grandma, mother-in-law and great grandma,' they added. 'The press described her as an "elderly lady" - however, we want to make absolutely clear that our mam was full of life. 'She was active, fit, healthy, and had years left to give her love and share her energy and zest for life with everyone who knew her. 'The family want to express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to everyone who supported mam, and her daughter and grandson at the scene.' Locals said she was walking her daughter's rescue terrier at the time. The dog suffered minor injuries. It is believed the motorbike weaved in between stationary cars at the crossing before colliding with her. Locals who knew her said she was super fit for her age and was regularly out walking. Barry Slee, 49, a neighbour, said: 'Gloria was going over the crossing as a pedestrian but was knocked over and killed. 'She hadn't done anything wrong. The bike has apparently gone through some cars who had stopped to let her through. 'Gloria was 86 but was as fit as a lop. She would walk with her dog every day. 'You would never have believed she was 86. 'She was tremendous. 'She had a huge heart and was loved by everyone. 'She was that fit that you would have thought she would have easily reached 100. 'She has lived in the area for a long time and knew everyone around here. 'This should be murder. She was crossing the road when she was hit.' Allison Burnett, 58, said: 'She was amazing. 'She was the best friend to everyone and was always happy. 'She lives life to the fullest for an 86-year-old. The shock is unbelievable. 'We still can't take in that she's not with us anymore.' Today Sergeant Russell Surrey, of Northumbria Police, said: 'Our thoughts remain with all of Gloria's family and loved ones as they try to process what has happened. 'We will support them in any way that we can, as we look to get them the answers they deserve. 'I'd like to thank those who have been in touch to share information and footage with us so far - and would urge any further witnesses to contact us.' West Yorkshire Police previously said a 17-year-old arrested in relation to Mrs Bibi's death was later released on bail. Last year a Sky News investigation found that police across the UK confiscated 937 e-bikes in the year to August, up from 511 recorded during the previous 12 months. Although under UK law, e-bike motors must cut out when a speed of 15.5mph is reached, police are increasingly finding many have been modified to reach much faster speeds - up to 70mph.
Times
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Times
Flying Flea: the motorbike from heaven
Electric cars we have all become used to. But electric motorbikes, not so much — something that one historic company is keen to change. Royal Enfield is the oldest motorcycle manufacturer in continuous production. Bob Walker Smith and Albert Eadie built their first bicycle in 1893 in Redditch, Worcestershire, before their company turned to motorbikes in 1901. It has been gaining traction recently by making authentic models that resemble its originals. This year the brand will reach another milestone when it releases its first electric motorbike from its factory in India. When Royal Enfield sought a name for its electric creation, it had an enormous back catalogue to scan for inspiration. Several evocative names were available — not least the Bullet, which has the longest unbroken production run of any motorcycle — as well as the Super Meteor, the Fury and the Machismo. The problem was, for its first electric-powered machine, some of these hairy-chested monikers did not quite fit the image of this clean, forward-facing mode of transport. There was one, though, in Royal Enfield's long history that it felt would fit: the Flying Flea. It referred to the WD/RE 125cc machine that had been developed during the Second World War to be dropped into combat by parachute. This robust, lightweight bike was deemed the ideal style — and name — to revive. When it goes on sale in 2026, the bike will be something entirely new, says Mario Alvisi, the maker's chief growth officer. While it will bear a passing resemblance to its namesake, its combined retro and futuristic touches will make it more than a nostalgic recreation. The distinctive girder forks, for instance, will be similar to those of the original, as will its forged aluminium front suspension with articulating mudguards. The teardrop-style faux-fuel tank will obviously not be in use; instead, beneath it sits the bike's magnesium battery case, elegantly lined with veins for cooling. This FF.C6, the first motorcycle in the Flying Flea range, is a stunning machine that feels both new and authentic. Beneath many of its traditional shapes lies sophisticated technology. The old school-looking speedometer, for instance, houses the bike's navigation and diagnostics systems along with the interface that connects with the Flying Flea app. Royal Enfield is not the first motorbike company to branch out into electric models: Harley-Davidson was a surprise early adopter of electric power, and challenger brands such as the British-made Maeving are also shaking up the traditional motorcycle industry. But Royal Enfield is hoping that this stylish and unintimidating machine, as well as attracting dyed-in-the-wool bikers, will tempt those new to motorbikes. As Alvisi says: 'People who are scared of riding a motorcycle — or maybe they're riding a scooter now — can look at this and be like, OK, this can be my first bike, this is the entry door for me to finally access the motorcycle world.' During the war you would have seen the Flying Flea surreally sailing in from the sky under a parachute. Eighty years later the idea is to transport a contemporary urban population about with zero emissions. It's a different solution for a different problem, but the combination of progress and pragmatism prevails.
