A 94-year-old grandmother who suffered horrific injuries after being struck by an electric motorbike has called for a clampdown on the illegal use of the vehicles.
Peggy Maxwell was returning home from a lunch date in May this year when she was involved in a collision with a Sur-Ron dirtbike in the Fife village of Lochore. A youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was later arrested in connection with the incident and proceedings are ongoing.
Three months in hospital
Peggy broke her neck, back, clavicle, several ribs and one ankle as a result of the smash, as well as suffering bleeding on the brain, and was hospitalised for three months. Despite her horrendous ordeal, the mum-of-four has now returned home where she is once again beginning to walk unaided.
Speaking publicly about her experience for the first time, Peggy told the Record: "I just wanted to live out my old age quietly, but it's not happened." She is now backing a campaign by her local MP, Richard Baker, to tighten the law on the sale of dangerous e-bikes.
Family speak out
Peggy added: "We need to get these things off the streets. If I can do anything to help, I will. I was independent all my days and now it's been taken away from me. But I am recovering, slowly."
The grandmother-of-13 had travelled by bus to Dunfermline on May 25 to meet her daughter Margaret for lunch. The incident that would upend her life happened shortly after she had made the return trip to Lochore. She is now being cared for at home by her four children June, Margaret, Graham and Eddie.
June, 56, told the Record it was a "miracle" her mum was still alive but said the ordeal had robbed Peggy of her independence. "Before the accident she was in great health," June added. "She was very independent and would take the bus on her own, she needed no help at all. She's trying her best to get around the house now but her confidence has been knocked. It's got her down because before she could do things on her own. She would tell you in the morning she was going out and that was it. Now, we've had to buy a wheelchair for when we take her outside."
Growing problem
June, who lives in nearby Ballingry, said e-bikes were regularly being driven by youths on local roads illegally. "They're running riot," she said. "They have no license, they have no VAT, and they're flying up the road on one wheel. They should not be on the road."
She added: "We are all still livid at what happened. There are no words for what the four of us felt."
In May 2025, 86-year-old Gloria Stephenson was killed after being struck on a zebra crossing in Sunderland by Billy Stokoe, who was riding an illegal and defective Sur-Ron electric motorbike. Part of the challenge of preventing illegal behaviour is that very different vehicles are often grouped together under the term "e-bike". Many machines being seized by police are electric motorcycles. Road legal versions of the e-motorbikes have to be registered, taxed and insured.
Baker, the Labour MP Glenrothes, said: "Peggy endured horrific injuries and, frankly, she's lucky to be alive. I don't think there are many people of Peggy's age who would have pulled through emergency surgery like she did that day. She's a remarkable lady, and it's a privilege to know her."
"Illegal use of e-scooters and motorbikes is a growing problem, and it's only going to get worse because these machines are widely available and becoming cheaper to buy, especially on the second-hand market. Buyers aren't necessarily paying attention to sellers' small print warning they are illegal to drive on pavements and public roads because they see other people doing exactly that."
"Add modifications, which drastically increase the speed of these machines, and it only becomes a recipe for tragedy. Would we let a young teenager drive down roads and pavements in a car travelling at 70 mph? No, it's idiotic."
"I've held public meetings, raised this issue in chamber and I'm seeking a ministerial meeting to explore ways in which to better regulate sales. Personally, I think we need to consider measures such as restrictions on sales and a licensing regime because something has to be done before someone else suffers the injuries – or worse – which Peggy did."
Public meeting planned
Baker will host a public meeting at Lochore Miners Welfare Social Club on September 25 at 6pm, alongside David Barratt MSP and local officers from Police Scotland. The summit will discuss illegal biking and hear the public's views on how the issue can be tackled.
