Police are advising parents against purchasing e-bikes or e-scooters for their children this Christmas, citing safety concerns and a demand for enhanced legal powers to address their misuse. The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) has highlighted that officers have limited authority to act against individuals operating these vehicles, particularly those who mask their identities.
Retailers continue to sell e-scooters, despite them being illegal for use on public streets. Online resources also offer instructions and kits to bypass legal speed restrictions on e-bikes, increasing their power beyond legal limits for electrically assisted pedal cycles. Many models, even when sold as-is, exceed power thresholds that would categorize them as motorcycles or mopeds, requiring licenses and insurance.
These electric-powered vehicles have become a significant issue, with delivery drivers reportedly using illegal e-bikes and younger individuals operating e-scooters recklessly while concealing their faces. The SPF is advocating for strengthened laws that would grant police more authority, including the power to stop individuals wearing face coverings like masks and balaclavas.
David Threadgold, chairman of the SPF, emphasized the risks associated with motorized vehicles, stating, "Parents need to be aware of the risks attached to buying any motorised vehicle." This warning echoes similar advice from the Inverclyde Community Safety Partnership.
Data from Police Scotland indicates a more than 60 percent increase in the seizure of e-bikes and e-scooters. In response, Holyrood’s Criminal Justice Committee has launched an inquiry into the antisocial behavior and criminal activity linked to these vehicles. Superintendent Andy Barclay, deputy head of road policing, affirmed, "We are very clear that illegally modified e-bikes are dangerous and not suitable for the public road."
Kirsten Oswald, Holyrood’s Community Safety Minister, expressed a desire to "increase the powers police have to seize and retain e-bikes and e-scooters that are being used for antisocial or criminal behaviour." She also urged potential buyers to "make sure they’re fully aware of the laws around these vehicles."