E-bikes have been associated with nearly 39,000 crimes and road crashes recorded by police forces across England and Wales over the past three years, marking a 70% increase in incidents during that period. These incidents include pedestrian injuries and fatalities, drug trafficking, robberies, assaults, and sexual offenses. In many cases, authorities were unable to identify suspects, fueling calls for e-bike riders to be required to display registration plates or other identifying markings.
Data from 29 out of 43 police forces indicates that the actual figures are likely higher. While legal e-bikes are intended to have a maximum assisted speed of 15.5 mph, many can be easily modified or purchased online to reach speeds up to 70 mph, effectively becoming motor vehicles and operating illegally on public roads. This ease of modification, coupled with riders often lacking licenses and insurance, has led to their use in criminal activities, such as quick getaways in street robberies.
Calls for stricter regulation have been amplified by lawmakers and legal experts. Conservative shadow transport minister Greg Smith stated that the government cannot ignore the issue and must take action before more individuals are harmed. Celebrity road lawyer Nick Freeman, also known as Mr. Loophole, argued that the absence of registration plates renders the law ineffective, preventing accountability for riders. He advocates for e-bikes to be classified as mopeds and motorbikes, requiring registration plates, helmets, and insurance.
Jamie Hassall, executive director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, noted that while legal e-bikes can contribute to cleaner transport, the proliferation of illegal, modified versions undermines public confidence. He emphasized the difficulty in distinguishing between compliant and illegal e-bikes due to their similar appearance but vastly different performance capabilities, urging for stronger measures to enhance public safety.
The surge in incidents follows several high-profile cases. The daughter of BBC broadcaster Nicky Campbell was severely injured in a hit-and-run incident involving an e-bike. In another case, teenager Billy Stokoe was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison for killing 86-year-old Gloria Stephenson on a zebra crossing in 2025, an incident where Stokoe was under the influence of cannabis and using his mobile phone.
Specific police force data reveals significant incident numbers. Devon & Cornwall and Dorset Police collectively recorded over 9,600 incidents, including nearly 1,000 road traffic collisions and over 700 incidents related to violence against the person. The force reported being unable to identify a suspect in more than a third of cases. West Yorkshire Police saw a 122% increase in incidents from 2023 to 2024, totaling 8,647 incidents over three years, which included hundreds of robberies and arson offenses.
City of London Police have impounded devices belonging to individuals with immigration violations, some of whom may be working in the gig economy. A government spokesperson affirmed that individuals using e-bikes for intimidation, injury, or crime will face police action, including fines, license points, and prosecution. The government has granted police enhanced powers to seize illegally modified or misused e-bikes without prior warning and is working to curb the sale of unsafe products online.