Calls for police to crack down on illegal bikes in Gloucester and Cheltenham
Illegally modified bicycles have been seen whizzing past people along pedestrian areas in the city centre
Last updated 15th Jul 2025
There are calls for police to crack down on illegal bikes in Gloucester and Cheltenham.
Illegally modified bicycles have been seen whizzing past people along pedestrian areas in the city centre.
And civic chiefs are concerned police officers are not doing anything to stop these vehicles which are often “souped up” with small engines.
They fear it is only a matter of time before an elderly person is hit by these illegal bikes.
The issue was discussed at the Gloucestershire police and crime panel at Shire Hall on July 11.
Cheltenham Councillor Victoria Atherstone (LD, St Peters) asked police chiefs if it was just the spa town which had a serious problem with illegal e-bikes.
“Is that something happening all over Gloucestershire?
Gloucester Councillor Jeremy Hilton (LD, Kingsholm) said it was a real problem along the city centre.
He felt the issue was not being taken seriously and he called on the police to do something about the illegal vehicles.
“We have people with souped-up bicycles who are not using the pedals,” he said.
“They are using a throttle and travelling at the speed a moped would do.
“There’s no reg, no licence for it. Probably no third party insurance. I’ve had them whizz past me.
“It’s absolutely frustrating I’ve not seen a police officer stop these individuals. They can see these are illegal bikes.
“We are allowing this to happen and the police are not taking any action whatsoever.
“What really worries me is when they whizz past Westgate Street, swing round to Northgate Street and just miss elderly ladies and gentlemen. It’s not on.
“We need to be doing something about this. These bicycles are illegal.”
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Evans said he knows it’s an issue in the centre of Gloucester as well and that there is a specific operation in Cheltenham is underway.
He said eight bikes have been seized in the spa town so far and the team is in talks with colleagues in Gloucester.
Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson said Cheltenham neighbourhood policing team developed a specific operation to deal with the problem.
“It’s high resources so it doesn’t happen every day,” he said.
“It has been perfected in Cheltenham. I don’t think it has been used yet in Gloucester.
“It’s very effective, it works but it’s very resource intensive.
“They are not easy to stop. You need a large number of resources to intercept these difficult to catch vehicles.”
Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth said the constabulary is taking the issue seriously. “We will come back with plans and make sure you’re updated on that,” she said.
And Deputy Chief Constable Katy Barrow-Grint said e-bikes are an issue nationally. She said they are looking at some “focussed activity” on e-bikes and e-scooters.
“We are committed to looking at this,” she said.