Teens charged over alleged theft of Just Eat bike in Edinburgh

A pair of teenagers have been charged in connection with the alleged theft of a Just Eat Cycles bicycle in Edinburgh.

Two boys, aged 15 and 16 years old, were seen by police during the early hours of Tuesday (16 June) riding the bike in the London Road area.

An indicator on the front of Just East bikes flashes red and blue if the bike is missing, and white if it is legitimately rented.

Now, Police Scotland are urging the public to call 999 if they spot a bike being ridden with flashing red and blue lights.

Just Eat bikes are available to hire across Edinburgh.

Chief Inspector Neil Wilson, from St Leonard's Police Station, said: “There has been a significant increase in the theft of Just Eat bikes this year compared to the same period last year.

“At a time when the residents of Edinburgh are being encouraged to use active travel options such as cycling, our communities are, more than ever, relying on the Edinburgh Cycle Hire Scheme which was launched in September 2018 as part of the city’s sustainable transport plan.

“The scheme is managed and operated by Serco on behalf of Transport for Edinburgh and the theft and vandalism of these bikes and the hire stations has a significant financial impact.

“Officers identified this bike as being stolen due to the flashing red and blue lights on the front. During a legitimate hire the front light will flash white and the rear will flash red.

“We won’t tolerate this kind of behaviour will continue with focused patrols in key areas in Edinburgh in an effort to combat this trend.”

If you see an abandoned Just Eat Cycles bike displaying flashing red and blue lights to the front, please call 101.

If you see one of these bikes being ridden with flashing red and blue lights to the front, please call 999.

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