Adobe StockParents are being warned not to buy children e-bikes or e-scooters this Christmas, as new figures showed police have seized more than 1,000 such vehicles so far this year.
By October 16 officers had confiscated 561 e-bikes and 441 e-scooters, data from Police Scotland showed.
That is up by more than 60% from the previous year’s total – with 373 e-bikes and 196 e-scooters recovered in 2025.
It comes after a week of action targeting the use of e-bikes and e-scooters by officers in October, with David Threadgold, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) – which represents rank and file officers – saying: “The increased antisocial use of e-bikes and e-scooters has been a real concern for communities in Scotland and a real challenge for the police to deal with.”
Mr Threadgold, however, told the home affairs magazine 1919 that police have “extremely limited” options to deal with those riding such vehicles dangerously.
The SPF is calling for officers to get powers to require people on such vehicles to stop, and to remove face coverings if they are wearing them.
He added: “The risk presented to the public and to police officers trying to stop it means we have to deal with this very quickly.”
With Christmas approaching Mr Threadgold also urged parents to “be aware of the risks attached to buying any motorised vehicle”.
The SPF chairman said: “There are very clear conditions about where and when these things can be legally used.
“The challenge comes more when these things become modified past the speed limit.”
Similarly Inverclyde Community Safety Partnership – which brings together police in the area with other public bodies – urged parents to ensure that “any vehicle is being used appropriately and lawfully, and that young people understand the risks associated with riding in public spaces”.
The partnership added: “We would encourage all parents to fully understand the legal position, safety risks and potential liabilities associated with e-scooters and electric bikes before making any purchase decision.”
Police Scotland has said that e-bikes can legally be used on public roads if they meet specific requirements, including that the motor should not be able to propel the bike when it is travelling at more than 15.5mph and must have a maximum power output of 250 watts.
Vehicles that exceed these limits are considered motor vehicles and are subject to the Road Traffic Act, meaning the rider must hold a full UK driving licence, wear an approved helmet and have insurance.
Police warned that those failing to comply with the legal requirements could face enforcement action under the Road Traffic Act.
Officers also stressed that e-scooters are not permitted on public roads, pavements or other public spaces, as they do not meet the necessary legal standards.
Their use is only legal on private land with the landowner’s consent.
Community safety minister Kirsten Oswald has already told how the Scottish Government wants to “increase the powers police have to seize and retain e-bikes and e-scooters that are being used for antisocial or criminal behaviour”.
Ms Oswald stated: “It is illegal to use a privately owned e-scooter on public roads or pavements in Scotland, and e-bikes modified beyond the legal limit can be seized by police.”
But she added: “The law on road traffic, and the rules on what can be imported and sold in this country, sit with Westminster.
“We’ve written to the UK Government to urge it to take further action on licensing off-road vehicles, to help Police Scotland track down and detain the people breaking the law, and the vehicles they are using.”
A UK Government spokesperson meanwhile said: “Privately owned e-scooters remain illegal on roads, pavements and other public spaces, and we’re bringing forward new laws to make their use safe.
“Illegal e-bikes that can reach dangerous speeds also have no place on our roads and pavements.”
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