Police issue warning over illegal e-bikes and e-scooters this Christmas

Greater Manchester Police and partners are urging families to think carefully before buying off-road bikes, illegal e-bikes and e-scooters as Christmas gifts.

The warning comes as part of Operation Hurricane, GMP's coordinated crackdown on the anti-social and dangerous use of off-road bikes, e-bikes and quad bikes across Greater Manchester. 

The misuse of these vehicles continues to cause significant disruption within communities, affecting quality of life and posing serious risks to the public. 

In some cases, this behaviour has resulted in serious injuries and fatal collisions, with devastating consequences for victims, their families and local neighbourhoods as has been seen by the tragic case where Jacob Calland sadly died through an e-scooter road traffic collision. 

Vision Zero is Greater Manchester’s ambition to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on the region’s roads by 2040. 

Under the new Transport Policing and Crime Command, Officers from the Roads Policing Unit (RPU), Drone and Motorcycle Unit and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) joined neighbourhood teams in turning out to specific hotspot areas to deter, detect and disrupt offences from taking place. 

Working closely with partners, GMP used intelligence to target areas of concern and responded to reports from the public. 

As they now move towards Christmas, their message is now one of deterrence. Many people purchase these vehicles with good intentions but may not fully understand where they can legally be used or the consequences if they are ridden unlawfully. 

GMP's first aim is always education and want the public to know the facts before they decide to buy these as gifts: 

• Many e-bikes are legal and provide a sustainable form of transport. You can ride an electric bike if you’re 14 or over, and if it is an ‘electrically assisted pedal cycle’ (EAPC). 

• It can be propelled up to a maximum of 15.5mph without pedalling but only if it has been approved. 

• Privately owned e-scooters can only be used on private land with the permission of the landowner. Riders should ensure any e-bike complies with Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC) regulations, or it may be treated as a motor vehicle in law. 

• Police are targeting individuals who use vehicles illegally, ride dangerously, cause anti-social behaviour or use bikes to facilitate criminal activity. 

Operation Hurricane results so far this year as officers have: 

• Seized 503 bikes 

• Made 25 arrests 

Superintendent Mike Russell from the Prevention Branch, said: “Communities consistently tell us this issue affects their day-to-day life. 

“Illegal and anti-social riding can intimidate residents, place pedestrians at risk and create significant disruption in neighbourhoods. We also know these vehicles are increasingly being used to facilitate wider criminality. 

"We are urging families to understand the legal requirements around these vehicles, where they can be ridden and the consequences of using them unlawfully. 

“These bikes and scooters can cost a significant amount of money. If the vehicle is being used illegally and is seized, there is a possibility it may be destroyed, leaving families substantially out of pocket. 

“Our preference is always to educate and prevent rather than enforce, but where vehicles are being used illegally or dangerously, we will take robust action”. 

Dr David Kung, Clinical Lead of the Paediatric Emergency Department at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, said: “E-bikes and scooters are often much more powerful and faster than parents expect, and we’re seeing an increasing number of children being brought to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Emergency Department because of very severe accidents which have caused life-changing injuries and deaths. 

“Our advice is for parents not to buy these as presents at Christmas, where everyone is very excited, but to think very carefully about making sure their children are experienced enough cyclists before getting them an e-bike or e-scooter. 

“We’d also urge great care over charging them. Each year, across the countries, we see hundreds of house fires caused by batteries overheating. Never charge your e-scooter while you are sleeping or leave it charging unattended. 

“Always use the manufacturer-approved charger designed specifically for your battery – please don’t use cheap generic ones which carry a much higher risks of starting a fire which could have catastrophic results”. 

Peter Boulton, TfGM's Highways Network Director, said: “E-bikes and e-scooters have grown rapidly in popularity in recent years, but sadly we have also seen the devastating consequences they can have when modified or used dangerously. 

“Our message to parents this Christmas is simple: please avoid buying your children modified e-bikes or e-scooters. We have seen the harm they can cause, and no Christmas present is worth putting their safety, or the safety of others, at risk. 

“We fully support GMP’s campaign and are asking everyone to put safety first this Christmas, helping families enjoy the festive season safely while playing their part in our Vision Zero ambition to eliminate deaths and life-changing injuries on Greater Manchester’s roads.” 

Steve Jordan, Head of Prevention at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said: “E-bikes and e-scooters might sound like an appealing gift this Christmas, but we urge people to think about the risks. 

“Batteries that have been modified, damaged or used with an incompatible charger can pose a serious fire risk. These fires can develop extremely quickly and, particularly if a vehicle is being charged inside the home or blocking an escape route, the consequences can be devastating. 

“Our advice is to buy only from a trusted retailer and manufacturer and check for the CE or UKCA safety marking to make sure your battery and charger meet safety standards. 

“Never charge or store your battery in the hallway, communal area or where it could block your escape in the event of a fire and never leave it charging unattended or while you are asleep.” 

Anyone concerned about the anti-social use of bikes in their area can report it via gmp.police.uk or by calling 101 or via LiveChat on the website. In an emergency, always call 999.