Don't buy your children an e-bike or e-scooter for Christmas, parents warned
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Police have urged parents not to buy their children e-bikes or e-scooters this Christmas as officers demand more powers to tackle masked-up yobs running riot with the vehicles.
Mothers and fathers have been warned of the safety and legal issues surrounding the electric-powered vehicles as December 25 approaches, and told it would not be just their child who faces consequences if caught breaking the law.
Despite privately owned e-scooters being illegal to drive on public streets, they can be found in retailers across the country. And instructions to bypass legally required speed restrictions on e-bikes can be found online, with kits to add more powerful motors and throttles available to buy widely.
Even out of the box many are simply too powerful to qualify as an electrically-assisted pedal cycle, and instead fall under laws for motorcycles and mopeds which require a licence and insurance.
The electrically powered vehicles have become the scourge of the streets as delivery drivers dangerously zoom about on obviously illegal e-bikes, and e-scooters are driven recklessly by youngsters who have covered up their faces.
The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) has warned officers have ‘limited powers’ to take action, and called for a strengthening of the law, including the power to stop people wearing face coverings like masks and balaclavas.
E-scooters and e-bikes have become the scourge of the streets in recent years
The organisation which represents rank-and-file officers also echoed warnings from the Inverclyde Community Safety Partnership who urged parents to reconsider e-bikes as Christmas gifts.
SPF chairman David Threadgold told 1919 Magazine: ‘Parents need to be aware of the risks attached to buying any motorised vehicle.’
The number of e-bikes and e-scooters seized by Police Scotland has risen by more than 60 per cent, and Holyrood’s Criminal Justice Committee has announced an inquiry into crime and antisocial behaviour associated with them.
Mr Threadgold said: ‘The number of options the police have to deal with people who are riding these types of vehicles dangerously is extremely limited.’
Superintendent Andy Barclay, deputy head of road policing, said: ‘We are very clear that illegally modified e-bikes are dangerous and not suitable for the public road.’
Holyrood’s Community Safety Minister Kirsten Oswald said: ‘We want to increase the powers police have to seize and retain e-bikes and e-scooters that are being used for antisocial or criminal behaviour.
‘I would urge anyone considering buying an e-bike or e-scooter to make sure they’re fully aware of the laws around these vehicles.’
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