Police Scotland has seized and destroyed 142 e-bikes and scooters during a week-long crackdown across the country, with the largest number of vehicles recovered in the Glasgow area.
The action ran from Monday, October 19, and resulted in the recovery of 99 e-bikes and 43 scooters. Officers captured 54 of the vehicles in Glasgow, the highest number in any single area.
Illegal modifications targeted
E-bikes should not travel over 15mph, but the seized vehicles had been illegally modified to exceed the speed limit. Any e-bike that exceeds this limit is classed as a motor vehicle and is allowed on public roads only if the rider has a driving licence, insurance, and wears an approved helmet.
E-scooters, however, are not allowed on public roads or pavements under any circumstances.
Incident involving nine-year-old boy
In July, the Record reported how nine-year-old Luke Lane was left with concussion and cuts all over his body after a teenager riding one of the vehicles crashed into him outside his house in Hawick.
His mum, Yvonne Dobson, explained the boy was returning from a play date at a neighbour's house when the incident unfolded. The 35-year-old said: "I had just called him in for the night and was standing at the window watching him cross the road. A teenage boy suddenly appeared riding the e-bike at considerable speed and before I could react, it smacked into him.
"Luke went flying into the air and hit his head on the pavement. I rushed out into the street and he was lying there out cold."
The mum called for better regulation and urged parents to think twice before buying one of the bikes for their children. She added: "The authorities need to do something to clamp down on this issue. People driving e-bikes should have a driving licence and be registered.
"I also want parents to know these bikes can be deadly. My child could have been killed."
Police response
Superintendent Andy Barclay, deputy head of Road Policing, said: "We know this is a growing issue across Scotland and this week of actions shows how seriously we are taking it.
"We are very clear that illegally modified e-bikes are dangerous and not suitable for the public road. They pose a risk to their own riders, the emergency services and other road users, particularly pedestrians.
"We also want to make sure that people are aware of the legislation and their personal responsibilities if using an e-bike or e-scooter.
"Please be mindful of where you can and can’t use vehicles of this type and take responsibility for your own actions and the safety of other road users."
