Thomas Hanlon (pictured leaving court today), 31, is alleged to have ploughed into 56-year-old Sakine Cihan as she crossed Kingsland Road, Dalston, east London, after 5pm on August 28 last year

A cyclist appeared at the Old Bailey today accused of killing a pedestrian after crashing into her on his E-bike in the first case of its kind.

Thomas Hanlon, 31, is alleged to have ploughed into 56-year-old Sakine Cihan as she crossed Kingsland Road, Dalston, east London, after 5pm on August 28 last year.

Ms Cihan, who was well known within the local Turkish community, suffered serious head injuries and later died in hospital.

She is thought to be the first pedestrian in the UK to die after she was allegedly hit by an electric bike.

Hanlon is charged with one count of causing death by careless driving, one of causing death while uninsured and one of causing death while unlicensed.

Electric-powered bikes do not require the driver to own a licence and have a legal power-assisted speed of up to 15.5mph.

But Nathan Rasiah, prosecuting, said: 'In this case the evidence suggests it was travelling in excess of the road limit and the limit for the bike.

'If they [electric bikes] exceed a certain speed or power you do need a licence.'

Ms Cihan (left), who was well known within the local Turkish community, suffered serious head injuries and later died in hospital. Right: Hanlon

Ms Cihan (right) is thought to be the first pedestrian in the UK to die after she was allegedly hit by an electric bike. Hanlon (left) is charged with one count of causing death by careless driving, one of causing death while uninsured and one of causing death while unlicensed

Hanlon from Finsbury Park is yet to enter a plea and was bailed ahead of his trial on February 24, 2020.

Ms Cihan was from Gölbasi, in Turkey's Adiyaman province and moved to the UK with her husband, from whom she was later divorced.

Her organs were donated to transplant patients in the UK.