Labour is being urged to introduce new rules for electric bikes as new data shows how the vehicles are having a devastating impact on road safety.
Fresh data from a Freedom of Information request shows that police seizures of electric bikes jumped by a staggering 83 per cent in just 12 months.
In the 12 months to May 19, 2026, police forces across the country confiscated 7,049 vehicles, compared to just 3,858 e-bikes in the same period the year before.
Police forces, road safety experts and politicians are now joining together to demand that the Government introduce new road rules.
Read Also: Meghan Markle's brand announces 'new chapter' just days after return to UK with Harry
An electric bike must meet certain conditions to be classed as an electrically assisted pedal cycle (EAPC).
This includes a maximum continuous power output of 250 watts, working pedals to propel the bike, and electric assistance must cut off at 15.5mph.
If a bike exceeds these limits, it can be treated as a moped or motorcycle, requiring it to be registered, have insurance, and the rider must have a driving licence.
Labour MP Julie Minns has called for a ban on the sale of illegal electric bikes and conversion kits, PA reported.
The representative for Carlisle added that these vehicles should be defined as an “unsafe product” which cannot be sold by online retailers.
She explained that, since they don’t have an MOT, are not licensed and cannot be traced, they can put all road users and pedestrians at risk of injury.
Ms Minns acknowledged that electric bikes, which adhere to legal definitions through EAPC, are a “brilliant” way of getting people into active travel.
“The illegal ones, however, are a problem and we need to do something about them. And the way to do it is to say, if it’s not legal, it’s an unsafe product,” she told PA.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
- M6 traffic: Major motorway ‘to remain closed’ after horror smash involving car and THREE lorries
- Major car brands issue urgent recall notice for 621,000 vehicles – Toyota, Honda, Tesla and more
- Labour accused of ‘catastrophic own goal’ over plans to slash electric car sales targets
Experts have consistently noted that illegal electric bikes are being used in crimes, commuting and food delivery.
London’s Metropolitan Police seized the highest number of electric bikes with 2,367, followed by Leicestershire Police (661), Police Scotland (585) and Thames Valley Police (425).
Erik Matthies, policy lead at the Royal National Institute of Blind People, called on people to ride them safely.
He noted that people should avoid causing issues with them, as this can have a devastating impact on people with sight loss and wheelchair users.
This was emphasised by Richard Dilks, chief executive of CoMoUK, who said it was time to end the delays in introducing new legislation and “take action now”.
“This challenge would be easier to meet if we had up-to-date laws across low-powered, small zero emission vehicles, which could then be enforced from the point of retail onwards,” he added.
A Government spokeswoman said: “Illegal e-bikes that can reach dangerous speeds have no place on our roads and pavements, and the rise in seizures shows the scale of the problem police are dealing with.
“That’s why we have strengthened police powers, changing the law so that officers no longer need to issue a warning before seizing these vehicles where they are used anti-socially.”
Our Standards:
The GB News Editorial Charter
