Government and councils must work together to tackle scourge of illegal electric bikes and scooters
Tighter rules on off-road vehicle licensing could help police track down people breaking the law
They have become a familiar sight in Scotland’s towns and cities, providing convenient and environmentally-friendly means of transport for growing numbers of users. However, as the use of e-bikes and e-scooters has grown, so have calls for tighter controls over them.
MSPs are to debate whether councils should have more powers to address electric bike and scooter-related crime and antisocial behaviour.
E-scooters are not allowed on public roads and pavements - their use is only legal on private land and with the landowner’s consent - and yet in many busy areas they seem commonplace.
Last month, The Scotsman revealed Police Scotland had launched a crackdown on the illegal use of electric bikes and scooters after more than 1,000 vehicles were seized by officers. Meanwhile, Edinburgh South West Labour MP Scott Arthur secured a debate in the House of Commons as part of his campaign against the import and sale of illegally modified e-bikes that are used on roads.
Electric bikes and scooters are limited to a top speed of 15.5mph - but e-bikes that exceed this are widely used, including by food delivery drivers in cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow.
E-bikes that can travel at speeds higher than 15.5mph are classed as motor vehicles and are therefore subject to the Road Traffic Act, which means the rider must hold a full UK driving licence, have insurance and wear an appropriate helmet.
Addressing the criminal and antisocial use of these vehicles will require the co-operation of councils, Holyrood and Westminster.
Scotland’s community safety minister Kirsten Oswald has highlighted the fact that road traffic laws and rules on what can be imported and sold in the UK sit with Westminster.
The Scottish government has written to the UK government, urging it to take further action on licensing off-road vehicles to help police track down those breaking the law.
This could prove to be an important step in taking many dangerous and illegal vehicles - and their drivers - off our roads, pavements and paths.
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