New call for tougher rules on electronic bikes and scooters in Hull
A letter has been written to the Transport Secretary
There are new calls for tougher rules on electronic bikes and scooters in Hull. The e-bikes and e-scooters are increasingly popular, but residents and councillors are worried they are too often being used in a ‘dangerous’ way.
People are regularly reporting high-powered and illegally modified vehicles being ridden dangerously, including on pavements and in areas where pedestrians should feel safe, according to one local councillor.
Cllr Mark Ieronimo (Liberal Democrat, for the Pickering ward) has now written to parliament with a letter to the Secretary of State for Transport calling for a clearer national regulatory framework. His letter makes clear a need for better safety standards, speed restrictions and stronger enforcement powers.
He has also written to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Humberside, asking Humberside Police to review its approach and consider whether more specialist resources and sustained enforcement could be introduced.
“Residents are rightly concerned about dangerous and illegally modified e–bikes and e-scooters, particularly those being ridden on pavements. I don’t want to see these vehicles banned. They can play an important role in cleaner, greener transport, but they must be used responsibly,” Cllr leronimo said.
“The problem is that the law has not kept pace with the technology. We need clear rules, proper safety standards and stronger powers for the police to deal with illegal vehicles. As a councillor, there is only so much I can do when the rules are set nationally. I am raising these concerns with Government and the Police and Crime Commissioner, and asking them to act.”
He explained that councils have only limited powers under the current national framework, making government action essential. And he welcomed existing police enforcement, including Humberside Police’s Operation Yellowfin, but suggested more needed to be done – calling for a more proactive approach involving patrols, intelligence-led enforcement and vehicle seizures.
Cllr Ieronimo is also concerned about fires involving e–bikes and e-scooters, particularly those linked to poor-quality batteries, unsafe chargers and modified vehicles. He explained safety is the priority for people in Hull.
“Residents should feel safe walking around their communities, while responsible riders should be able to use these vehicles with confidence. We need Government to give the police the tools they need to get that balance right,” he stated.
The call has been backed by councillors from other parts of the city, with many residents being particularly concerned about the powerful bikes being used in pedestrianised areas.
Cllr Shane Mcmurray (Labour – Central) said: “Residents are right to be concerned about the dangerous use of e-bikes in our communities. We shouldn’t be seeing these high-powered bikes used in pedestrian areas
“I support calls for stronger regulation of e-bikes, and the government needs to crack down on the sale of after-market conversion kits. But many e-bikes are being illegally modified, so we also need better enforcement of the existing law.”
Much of the issue with e-bikes is being driven by exploitative employment practices, according to Cllr Mcmurray. He added: “We need to consider the working practices that are partly behind increased e-bike usage.
“Gig economy delivery apps rely on workers using e-bikes, while putting them under time pressure and threatening penalties for delays. I support the proposed ‘single worker status’: this would eliminate the bogus self-employment which often makes delivery riding an exploitative job, and takes rights away from workers.”
Most road-legal e-bikes are classed as electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs) according to current government regulation. To qualify, they must have pedals and stop providing electric power above 15.5 miles per hour.
Once a bike no longer meets the legal definition of an EAPC, it can be treated as a motor vehicle under road traffic laws. This means riders need insurance, a driving licence, a vehicle registration and an approved helmet. It is illegal to ride a privately owned e-scooter in public, including on pavements, on roads and in parks.
Humberside Police’s Operation Yellowfin is an ongoing operation and is made up of a team of officers that have been put in place to tackle reckless and anti-social vehicle use. As part of the force’s action it is delivering targeted patrols by specialised units and is regularly seizing illegal e-bikes.