A Birmingham delivery cyclist using a council-funded scheme e-bike had the legally registered bike seized and crushed by police during an inspection.
Officers acted after citing a lack of current insurance paperwork, even though the rider had passed a previous valid test for the same documents.
The rider’s bike was part of a city-supported hire program, but it was destroyed in what the cyclist described as a "bogus" inspection.
Police later admitted the seizure was an error because of incorrect paperwork being shown on the day.
The incident has raised concerns for local delivery workers about the safety of council‑run e‑bike schemes.
Advocacy groups are calling for clearer guidelines and better communication to avoid similar incidents.
The council stated it will review its procedures and work with police to make sure future inspections are fair.
Meanwhile, the cyclist faces the loss of a essential vehicle.