Police share concerns over e-bike use
Officers seized over 211 devices in 2025
Police in Wiltshire say they're very concerned about how illegal e-bikes and e-scooters are being used across the county.
The Force has seized over 130 devices so far this year, while 211 were taken off the streets in 2025, and they've also been involved in criminal activity.
The devices are illegal to use on public land in Wiltshire, as they can't be insured or taxed.
Speaking in a recent Facebook Live event, Chief Constable Catherine Roper said: "We are really worried about the use of e-bikes and e-scooters, and I know many of you are too. I know many of you find it very concerning just from a road safety perspective. If you have people sort of whizzing past you on an e-bike or an e-scooter, some of them can reach quite sort of fast miles an hour.
"Also, we do have a perception. that these vehicles are also being used in crime and we have had some high profile criminal activity which we have reported on previously and we have successfully investigated and prosecuted but there has been a use of e-bikes and e-scooters and some criminality."
Superintendent Mike Vass said there have been "really troubling" cases where accidents have happened on footpaths with pedestrians and people using e-bikes, as well as their use in criminality.
"It's just the sheer danger that they can cause at high speed so there's a lot to be done around education," he said, adding that there has already been a lot of engagement on the topic of e-bikes and e-scooters.
The education includes speaking to retailers, so that they know why and who people are purchasing the devices for. He added that children must be 14 to use an e-bike or an e-pedal bike, which must also be under 250 watts of power and can't top 15 miles per hour.
Chief Constable Roper said that education must go further as there are cases where people are buying the devices, perhaps as a gift to someone, and simply not realise that they're not lawful.
She revealed that they're working with the Road Safety Trust and the National Police Chiefs Council to implement an education programme later this year.
The Chief said that the main priority is the safety of people in communities.