Masked e-bike riders have been filmed taunting police officers at the Four Corners in Glasgow city centre, an area known for crime, in footage shared on social media.
The clip shows six riders parading around the intersection, laughing and performing dangerous stunts, including wheelies and riding across pavements. The group then circles a stationary police van at traffic lights between Jamaica Street and Union Street, with one masked youth speeding past officers and performing a wheelie in front of the van.
Members of the gang gather at the passenger-side window of the police van, mocking the officers. The person filming can be heard laughing, saying: "Flashing lights on for the young team," and adds: "They don't have their running shoes on today." The riders appear to follow the van as it pulls away.
Police Federation calls for stronger powers
David Kennedy, head of the Scottish Police Federation, condemned the footage as deeply concerning, saying it shows hooligans believe they can provoke officers with impunity. He said: "The footage is deeply concerning and shows a blatant attempt to goad and intimidate police officers while they are carrying out their duties. This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable and must not be allowed to become normalised."
He added: "Those involved in the video appear to believe they can mock and provoke officers with impunity. It is a clear example of why police need stronger powers to deal with the misuse of e-bikes and antisocial behaviour. Police need to have the power to intervene quickly, stop riders and seize bikes where they are being used unlawfully or to intimidate others. We also need meaningful consequences for those responsible."
Last week, the Scottish Police Federation demanded more powers to tackle antisocial behaviour linked to e-bikes, including the power to order riders to remove face coverings to identify those causing trouble. Holyrood's criminal justice committee also announced an inquiry into criminal behaviour associated with e-bikes and e-scooters.
MSP calls for crackdown after inquiry launched
SNP MSP David Linden, convener of the Scottish Parliament's criminal justice committee, told the Record: "It's unacceptable to see footage of men dressed head to toe in black, zooming around on e-bikes and e-scooters while brazenly taunting police. I am clear that we need to crack down on this unacceptable behaviour, before someone is seriously injured or killed from the illegal use of e-bikes and e-scooters."
He added: "The inquiry launched earlier this week by the Criminal Justice Committee, which I chair, will consider in detail the powers available to police to tackle the criminal behaviour linked to e-bikes and e-scooters. If current powers are not adequate, then I want to see stronger police powers to bring an end to this epidemic blighting communities in my constituency of Baillieston and across Glasgow."
The dangers of e-bikes have been highlighted this year, including a 94-year-old grandmother who suffered horrific injuries after being struck by an electric motorbike. Peggy Maxwell was returning home from a lunch date when she was hit by a Sur-Ron dirtbike in the Fife village of Lochore in May, suffering a broken neck, back, clavicle, several ribs and one ankle, as well as bleeding on the brain, and was hospitalised for three months.
Seizures rise by more than 60% in a year
Luke Lane, 9, was left with a concussion and cuts all over his body after a teenager riding one of the vehicles crashed into him outside his house in Hawick in July. His mum Yvonne said: "Before I could react, it smacked into him," describing how she watched her son fly into the air and smack his head on the pavement, leaving him knocked out cold. She called for better regulation and urged parents to think twice before buying one of the bikes for their children.
In Scotland, the number of e-bikes and e-scooters seized by police has risen by more than 60% in a year. More than 1,000 vehicles - 561 e-bikes and 441 e-scooters - have been confiscated in a nationwide crackdown this year, compared with 373 e-bikes and 196 e-scooters the previous year.
E-bikes should not travel over 15mph and can be used on public roads if they meet special requirements. Seized vehicles have been illegally modified to exceed the speed limit and are considered motor vehicles subject to the Road Traffic Act. The rider must hold a full UK driving licence, wear an approved helmet and have insurance. Police warned that those failing to comply with legal requirements could face action under the law. E-scooters are not permitted on public roads, pavements or public spaces under any circumstances, and their use is only legal on private land with the landowner's consent.
