Prague introduces new device to detect illegal e-bikes and electric scooters

Prague has acquired a new mobile testing device designed to identify illegally modified electric bicycles and scooters, making it easier for police to detect vehicles that exceed permitted technical limits.

The Dynostar dynamometer, reportedly the first device of its kind in Czechia, can measure electric motor output, maximum speed, and how a motor assists a rider while pedaling.

According to Novinky, the equipment will allow officers to carry out technical inspections directly during roadside checks at different locations across the capital.

The device is designed to identify electric bikes and scooters that have been modified to travel faster or produce more power than legally permitted.

Some vehicles may resemble ordinary electric bicycles but operate more like mopeds or motorcycles, potentially requiring different registration, licensing, and insurance arrangements.

The mobile dynamometer uses rollers to simulate road conditions while measuring how a vehicle performs. Its technology allows police to assess motor power and speed more accurately than through visual inspections alone.

Prague officials say the equipment will help authorities distinguish compliant vehicles from those operating outside the rules.

Police plan to use the new device primarily in areas with heavy traffic and high numbers of pedestrians, where excessively fast electric vehicles can pose a greater safety risk.

The equipment can be transported across Prague and deployed during targeted traffic enforcement operations.

According to the city's announcement, the initiative is part of broader efforts to improve road safety and address the growing use of light electric vehicles.

Prague has already increased scrutiny of illegally modified electric bikes, including those used by delivery couriers and rental operators.

The new technology is expected to make these inspections more effective by providing measurable evidence of a vehicle's technical capabilities.

City officials hope the checks will discourage illegal modifications and improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users.