Thousands of Illegal E-Scooters, E-Bikes Seized Across UK Amid Regulatory Push

Police across various UK cities, including Chester and Coventry, have intensified crackdowns on illegally converted electric bikes and e-scooters that do not comply with national safety regulations. Authorities have seized thousands of these vehicles, with nearly 6,000 e-scooters removed in England and Wales alone over recent years due to anti-social behavior and failure to meet safety standards. The seizures highlight ongoing concerns about the dangers posed by these vehicles to both riders and other road users, as well as their links to wider criminal activities. Public calls for stricter legislation are growing, with petitions urging bans on under-18 riders, mandatory licensing, insurance, helmet use, and harsher penalties for violations. The UK Department for Transport is currently running national trials of rental e-scooters to evaluate safety, accessibility, and integration into the transport network, with plans to inform future regulations by 2028. Lawmakers have also introduced bills to raise public awareness and update legislation to better regulate the rapidly growing use of electric scooters and bikes.