Police officers in Scotland are calling for stronger powers to deal with masked e-bike riders following a rise in dangerous incidents, with families warned about the risks of buying such vehicles as Christmas presents.
The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) said officers currently have only "limited powers" to take action against antisocial behaviour by riders. The call comes after a series of serious incidents involving e-bikes, including a grandmother and a nine-year-old boy who were injured after being hit by riders.
Limited Powers to Act
SPF chair David Threadgold said the increased antisocial use of e-bikes and e-scooters has been a real concern for communities and a challenge for police. He noted that the number of options available to officers dealing with dangerous riding is "extremely limited."
Threadgold urged parents to be aware of the risks attached to buying any motorised vehicle, adding that there are clear conditions about where and when these vehicles can be legally used. He also highlighted the problem of modified vehicles that exceed the speed limit.
He said police need the power to order riders to remove face coverings, stating that the risk presented to the public and officers means the issue must be dealt with quickly.
Seizures Rise by More Than 60%
Many e-bikes are too powerful to qualify as electrically-assisted pedal cycles and instead fall under laws for motorcycles and mopeds, requiring a licence and insurance. The number of e-bikes and e-scooters seized by Police Scotland has risen by more than 60% in a year.
As of October 16, the force had confiscated more than 1,000 vehicles this year, including 561 e-bikes and 441 e-scooters. In the previous year, 373 e-bikes and 196 e-scooters were seized. Campaigns such as Operation Armour in Aberdeen have led to e-bikes being seized and dozens of people charged.
Inquiry and Warnings
The SPF's call for action is made in the latest edition of justice and social affairs magazine 1919, published today. It comes as Holyrood's Criminal Justice Committee announced it is carrying out an inquiry into crime and antisocial behaviour associated with e-bikes and e-scooters.
The SPF, along with The Inverclyde Community Safety Partnership, urged families to "fully understand the legal position, safety risks and potential liabilities" before buying an e-scooter or electric bike. Scottish Conservative North East MSP Liam Kerr told 1919 that dedicated operations in Aberdeen show police can have success, and this needs to be replicated across the country.
In September, Peggy Maxwell, 94, was involved in a collision with a Sur-Ron dirtbike in the Fife village of Lochore. She broke her neck, back, clavicle, several ribs and one ankle, and suffered bleeding on the brain, spending three months in hospital. A youth was arrested in connection with the incident, and proceedings are ongoing. Maxwell is backing a campaign by her local MP, Richard Baker, to tighten the law on the sale of dangerous e-bikes.
In July, nine-year-old Luke Lane was left with concussion and cuts after a teenager riding one of the vehicles crashed into him outside his house in Hawick. His mum, Yvonne Dobson, described watching him fly into the air and hit his head on the pavement. Community Safety Minister Kirsten Oswald said the government wants to increase police powers to seize and retain e-bikes and e-scooters used for antisocial or criminal behaviour, and has written to the UK Government to urge further action on licensing off-road vehicles.
