At first glance this looks like any other moped seen driving around the Island.

But this is an eco-friendly electric push bike, owned by Julie Willis.

Julie, of Alexandra Road, Sheerness, paid £700 for the 200 watt bike a month ago to take her two children to and from school.

After a five-hour charge overnight the bike will go for about 50 miles, at a top speed of 15mph.

Julie, 35, said it costs just 8p a night to charge and is good for the environment.

Julie is over the moon with her green bike – except that it attracts some unwanted attention from the police.

She says she has been pulled over 17 times by policemen in a month because they think the bike is a moped and she doesn’t wear a helmet, although she said her 10-year-old daughter and five-year-old son always wear hats.

Julie said: “It’s green and it saves buying a car – it’s brilliant.

“There’s no petrol so everyone looks at you and says where is the noise. I’m really pleased with it but I have been pulled over 17 times.”

Traffic officer for Swale, PC Warren Jarvis, said: “Although I’m not aware of the circumstances surrounding this particular electric bike I am confident that our officers always act with good intentions when stopping any type of vehicle.

“Sometimes these electric bikes can be mistaken for the smaller types of moped, which do need to be registered, taxed and insured.

“In law, as long as they meet certain criteria such as being less then 250 watts in power, electric bikes are treated virtually the same as push bikes and are subject to the same rules and regulations.

“As with all types of push bike we would advise riders of electric bikes to have proper lights and a bell and to wear cycling helmets and high visibility clothing for their own personal safety.

“Rest assured that we would have had this lady’s best interests at heart.”