Oxfordshire County Council backs calls for tougher police action against illegal e-bikes and e-scooters

The motion, which was brought by Labour and Co-operative Group councillors also supprted calls for tougher restrictions on the manufacture, import, sale and advertising of kits used to illegally modify e-bikes.

Leader of Oxfordshire County Council Cllr Tim Bearder has now been asked to write to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander calling for further action.

The motion follows calls by Oxfordshire MP Anneliese Dodds in the House of Commons for a joined-up government response, urging the Department for Transport to bring together other departments responsible for tackling the issue.

E-bikes are currently only permitted to provide electric pedal assistance up to 15.5mph. Bikes that exceed these limits are legally classified as motorbikes and must be registered and insured.

Privately owned e-scooters cannot be used on public roads or pavements and are restricted to private land.

The motion also calls for the county council to improve public awareness of the rules governing private e-scooter use and work with operator Voi to promote the safe use and parking of hired e-scooters.

Cllr Brad Baines, who first proposed the motion, said: “I am really pleased that local councillors have backed Labour’s call for tougher action on these illegal vehicles. I regularly talk to residents across my division who are increasingly worried to cross the road or cycle around for fear of being hit. Speeding e-bikes and e-scooters are a major road safety risk.”

Shadow cabinet member for transport Cllr James Fry added: “We need better enforcement action by Thames Valley Police, building on the improvements we have already seen.”

“The Government also needs to go further to tackle the sale of illegal modification kits, so we can stop this menace at source.”