Pedestrian’s death believed to be first involving electric bike

A woman in her 50s is believed to be the first pedestrian in Britain to die after being hit by an electric bike.

Police were called to Kingsland High Street in east London just after 5pm on August 28 to reports of a collision between a pedestrian and an electric-assisted pedal cycle, Scotland Yard said.

Sakine Cihan, 56, from Dalston, was attempting to cross the road when the collision took place. She later died in hospital.

The Metropolitan Police said they believe it was the first such death to occur.

A man has been arrested by detectives from the roads and transport policing command and has been released under investigation.

Last year, cyclist Charlie Alliston was jailed for 18 months at the Old Bailey for killing mother-of-two Kim Briggs while riding an illegal Olympic-style racing bike which had no front wheel brakes.

Alliston was cleared of manslaughter but found guilty of causing bodily harm by “wanton and furious driving”.

A review designed to reflect public concern over safety on the roads has prompted MPs to consider introducing a new offence of causing death by careless or dangerous cycling.

Department for Transport figures show that between 2007 and 2016 pedestrians killed in collisions involving cyclists represented only 0.6% of total casualties on UK roads – 29.

Duncan Dollimore, head of campaigns at national charity Cycling UK said: “The statistics show cyclists, whether on a conventional or e-bike, present a minimal danger to others.

“Given the limitations and current laws governing e-bikes, Cycling UK does not believe there is any reason to suggest their use poses any greater risk to the public than a normal pedal cycle.”