Illegal e-bikes and e-scooters seized by police to keep the streets safer

A total of three illegal e-bikes and five illegal e-scooters have been seized by police this week following an operation in South Devon.

This was in response to public concerns around these type of vehicles and the related dangers.

On Tuesday night (28 July) officers from the Newton Abbot neighbourhood team joined the South Devon Neighbourhood Support Team and carried out Operation Leapstring across Newton Abbot, Kingsteignton and Kingskerswell. They removed two illegal e-bikes and three e-scooters from the streets.

The following day (Wednesday 29 July) a similar operation was carried out in Torquay and police seized one illegal e-bike and two illegal e-scooters.    

Torquay Neighbourhood Inspector Rob Harvey explained: “This initiative targets the illegal and dangerous use of e-bikes and e-scooters on roads and in public places. Using a combination of plain clothes and uniformed officers, along with a range of policing tactics, we stopped and seized illegal e-bikes which were not pedal-assisted and therefore classed as motor vehicles. We also seized a number of illegal e-scooters. We often find that the vehicles we seize have been illegally modified to go faster. 

“These vehicles do not comply with UK road traffic legislation for use on public roads or highways. Retailers often make this clear at the point of sale, but unfortunately this advice is sometimes ignored.

“Privately owned e-scooters can only be ridden on private land with the permission of the landowner and certainly not on roads, pavements and in parks.

“We find that illegal e-bikes and e-scooters are often linked to anti-social behaviour and other criminality. More importantly, they can pose a significant risk to the rider and to other members of the public. If you are considering buying one of these for yourself or a child, please take the time to check the guidance about where the vehicles can legally be used before buying one.

“We will continue to take action against those who flout the law and will seize vehicles being used illegally. Vehicles seized are sent for crushing so it could be an expensive mistake.” 

As well as having their illegal bikes and scooters seized, riders can also be fined and receive penalty points on their driving licence.

Electric scooters can be rented through official electric scooter rental scheme in certain parts of the country. These rental schemes are also known as ‘e-scooter trials’ and have their own rules. A full or provisional UK driving licence is necessary to take part in the rental scheme.

For further guidance please visit the Govt website Riding an electric scooter: the rules - GOV.UK