A man in his 20s was arrested after being caught riding an electric bike capable of doing more than 60mph on a path.

West Norfolk Police were on patrol near St Nicholas Retail Park in King's Lynn on Monday when they spotted the bike being driven "erratically" on a busy footpath with families walking nearby.

After stopping the rider, officers discovered the bike was capable of reaching high speeds.

They seized the bike and the man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, driving under the influence of drugs, driving without insurance, driving while disqualified and taking a vehicle without the owners’ consent. 

READ MORE: Teen arrested as police look to return stolen bike to owner

He was taken to the King’s Lynn Police Station for questioning and has been bailed pending further enquiries and tests. 

West Norfolk Police say that after chatting to people in North Lynn at the weekend, locals told them that motorbikes were one of the biggest issues affecting them.

In the UK, electric bikes are classified as electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs) if they have a maximum power output of 250W and do not have electrical assistance of more than 15.5mph.

EAPCs do not require a driving licence and do not need to be registered, taxed or insured.

E-bikes capable of speeds above 15.5mph are called s-pedelecs and fall into the same category as mopeds and motorbikes. 

S-pedelecs need to be registered and taxed and the rider must have a driving licence, wear a helmet and not ride on bicycle lanes or footpaths.