Edinburgh MP to lead Commons debate on growing problem of illegal e-bikes
‘I see them all around me, breaking the law, and people bring it up all the time’ - Dr Scott Arthur MP
Illegal e-bikes and the dangerous, criminal and anti-social behaviour associated with them have become a major public concern and one of the most frequent issues reported to the police, according to a city MP.
Scott Arthur, Labour MP for Edinburgh South West, said people wanted action to tackle the problem. And he has now secured a debate in the Commons on the subject.
He said there was also a fire safety risk, with 18 people across the UK dying in fires caused by e-bikes, e-scooters and their lithium batteries since 2019.
Dr Arthur said the current moment was the right one to discuss how the different challenges surrounding illegal e-bikes could be addressed. And he said he would be calling for “further and faster” action from the UK Government.
He said: "A woman came into one of my surgeries recently and said she was almost hit by an illegal e-bike that went straight through a pedestrian crossing. She was really quite scared that she had come very close to being injured.
"It's incidents like that, and the fire risk, which mean the Government must act.
"I see them all around me, breaking the law, and people bring it up all the time.
"The police say that, as far as calls coming in from the community are concerned, this is one of the biggest issues they face. We have a responsibility to stop the flow of these bikes into the country so the police can get on with the many other priorities they have."
Last month, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the government would take a “robust response” to issues of fire and community safety related to e-bikes. But Dr Arthur is calling for more to be done as residents continue to raise the danger and disruption caused by illegal e-bikes.
The debate which Dr Arthur secured, along with Carlisle Labour MP Julie Minns, will focus on the impact of the sale and import of illegal e-bikes and conversion kits on communities in Edinburgh and right across the UK.
He will also raise ongoing frustrations of local policing teams and his support for greater funding and powers for frontline police from the Scottish Government.
Earlier this year, Ms Minns introduced the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Private Members Bill, which would prohibit the marketing, sale and supply of illegal e-bikes and conversion kits.
Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC) is the legal term for an e-bike that can be treated the same as a conventional pedal cycle. These have an electric motor with a maximum continuous rated power not exceeding 250 watts and cuts off electrical assistance when it reaches 15.5mph.
Any electric bike that does not comply with these regulations is treated as a motor vehicle. If they are involved in an accident, the Motor Insurers’ Bureau can provide compensation.
Dr Arthur said: “I regularly hear from constituents who describe the very real dangers posed by illegally modified e-bikes and off-road motorcycles being ridden on our streets, pavements and public spaces.
“For many residents, this is not simply an annoyance, it is a serious public safety issue that affects their daily lives and sense of security.
“The scale of the problem is deeply concerning. In London alone, five people have lost their lives in fires linked to e-bike batteries, while the Motor Insurers’ Bureau estimates that compensation payments to victims of collisions involving uninsured and illegal e-bikes have exceeded £125 million over the past year.
“Communities across the country deserve better. I hope this debate provides an opportunity for MPs from all parties to come together, hold the Government to account, and press for meaningful action to tackle the growing risks posed by illegal e-bikes and protect the public.”
A date for the debate has yet to be set.