Lothian Tory MSP Sue Webber says it's time to 'get tough' on e-bikes and e-scooters
It’s time to “get tough” on e-bikes and e-scooters, Lothian Tory MSP Sue Webber has told the Scottish Parliament.
She said they were “tearing around the streets, often in a very dangerous manner” and were linked to break-ins, shoplifting and car thefts.
But she claimed the police were “powerless” to do anything about it.
Ms Webber raised the issue in the Holyrood chamber during Justice and Home Affairs Questions, asking what action the Scottish Government was taking to address the illegal use of off-road bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters.
Community safety minister Siobhian Brown said she had met a group of MSPs - including Ms Webber - to discuss their concerns. A campaign had been launched involving Crimestoppers and Police Scotland was undertaking a range of initiatives, including working with delivery companies.
She said: “Enforcement is a matter for Police Scotland, and local policing teams are best placed to identify misuse and to work to prevent future incidents. We have increased police funding to a record £1.62 billion this year to support the work that they do.”
Ms Webber said antisocial behaviour had increased by 5 per cent in the past year, and e-bikes and e-scooters were playing a big part in encouraging it.
“Trail bikes and souped-up e-bikes and e-scooters are tearing around the streets, often in a very dangerous manner, and are repeatedly being used to facilitate home break-ins, shoplifting and car thefts. My constituents are fed up.
“Meanwhile, the police are powerless. They do not give chase, and they lack the required resources to stop them. If the bikes are seized, they are more often than not handed back.
“Minister, enough is enough. Do you not agree that it is time that we got tough on this sort of crime, and that we should provide the police with real resources to tackle it?”
Ms Brown said she knew Ms Webber felt passionately on the matter and that there were issues throughout Scotland.
But she said: “I disagree that Police Scotland is not doing anything. Underlying work has been going on for several months now, and I know that Police Scotland is keeping its approach to the illegal use of e-bikes and e-scooters under review.
“That complements wider efforts to engage with communities and partners to prevent and tackle the issue, which I know is being done through Glasgow division’s collaboration with hospitals and food delivery companies.”
East Lothian SNP MSP Paul McLennan noted that some powers, such as vehicle licensing, were reserved to Westminster and asked for an update on engagement with the UK Government on tackling antisocial behaviour in relation to vehicles.
Ms Brown said they were committed to working constructively with Westminster. “Although the UK Government has so far not responded positively to our proposal to extend the safety benefits of vehicle licensing to off-road vehicles, there are some encouraging developments.
“For example, the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 would provide powers to take action against online marketplaces selling illegally modified vehicles.”