Police officers in Scotland are urging parents to avoid purchasing e-bikes and e-scooters as Christmas presents due to significant safety and legal risks. The Scottish Police Federation warns that many of these devices are either illegally modified or fail to meet the strict requirements for public road use.
The 60 percent surge in Police Scotland seizures
The scale of the issue has reached a tipping point, with the number of e-bikes and e-scooters seized by Police Scotland increasing by more than 60 percent. According to the report , this spike reflects a growing trend of dangerous riding incidents across various Scottish communities, prompting the Inverclyde Community Safety Partnership to join the Scottish Police Federation in advising families to reconsider these specific holiday gifts.
This surge is part of a broader global struggle to regulate micro-mobility. As electric transit becomes more accessible, the gap between consumer demand and infrastructure safety widens. In Scotland , this has manifested as a rise in antisocial behavior and reckless riding, turning what are marketed as convenient gadgets into public safety liabilities.
Retailer loopholes and the moped classification trap
A primary concern for authorities is the disconnect between what is sold in stores and what is legal on the street. The report notes that while private e-scooters remain illegal on public roads, they are still widely available from retailers across the country. Furthermore, many e-bikes sold to the public are so powerful that they are legally classified as motorcycles or mopeds.
This classification creates a legal minefield for young riders. To operate a vehicle that falls under moped regulations, the rider must possess a valid license and mandatory insurance coverage. Because most teenagers lack these credentials, a gift from a parent can inadvertently lead to a criminal offense. Additionally, the report highlights that online resources and accessible kits allow users to easily bypass speed restrictions and install more powerful motors, further increasing the danger to the rider and pedestrians.
David Threadgold’s call to stop masked riders
The Scottish Police Federation is now pushing for legislative changes to give officers more leverage on the streets. sPF chairman David Threadgold told 1919 Magazine that current options for dealing with dangerous riders are "extremely limited," particularly when dealing with individuals who use face coverings to hide their identities.
The SPF is specifically demanding the authority to stop and identify individuals wearing masks or balaclavas while operating these vehicles. without the power to remove these coverings, officers struggle to hold reckless riders accountable, allowing a culture of anonymity to shield those engaging in criminal or antisocial behavior .
Holyrood’s Criminal Justice Committee inquiry
The government is beginning to respond to the crisis through formal channels. Holyrood's Criminal Justice Committee has launched an official inquiry into the antisocial behavior and crime linked to motorized e-vehicles. Community Safety Minister Kirsten Oswald has expressed a strong desire to expand the powers of the police to seize and retain vehicles involved in criminal activity.
Despite these moves, seveeral critical questions remain. The report does not specify which retailers are selling non-compliant vehicles, leaving parents to guess which brands to avoid. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether the government intends to legalize private e-scooters under stricter regulations or continue a policy of total prohibition on public roads. until these legal contradictions are resolved, the burden of compliance remains entirely on the consumer.
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