There are a great many e-bikes on our roads and their number and availability are increasing; the vast majority are used sensibly and legally. However, there are the some which are not, and their riders have scant regard for other road users and pedestrians.

Some ebikes have been modified so they can travel much faster than the legal limit of 15.5 mph and such illegal users are typically uninsured and untaxed. Surrey Police along with other police forces are cracking down on the illegal ebikes which are a vehicle of choice for county lines drug dealing, street supply of drugs, mobile phone snatching and antisocial behaviour.

Apart from escooters on hire under one of the approved trial rental schemes approved by the Government they are illegal on public highways, pavements and in public parks but they, too, are becoming more common.

Criminals use ebikes and scooters because their lightweight frames and off-road agility allow riders to navigate heavy traffic, pedestrian zones, narrow alleyways and parks more easily and faster than marked police cars.

Surrey Police have advised that anti-social and dangerous riding of motorcycles, e-bikes and e-scooters is a growing concern in our communities, and we want to reassure you that we are listening and taking action. Reports of nuisance riding, speeding, reckless behaviour and the criminal use of powered two-wheelers have increased significantly in recent years, often causing alarm to residents and creating real risks for other road users and pedestrians. 

To tackle the issue, Surrey Police is this week launching Operation Scramble, a joint operation with Sussex Police focused on disrupting the illegal and anti-social use of e-bikes, e-scooters and electric motorbikes.

Our local Member of Parliament, Helen Maguire is also raising the issue in Parliament to get proper legislation in place. In addition to campaigning actively on this issue, she has hosted a second roundtable in Parliament this week on e-scooter/e-bike misuse. It was attended by a number of MP’s and other key stakeholders, including police representatives. 

Helen Maguire has also secured a Westminster Hall Debate next Wednesday, 21st October 2026, on the Regulation of e-scooters and e-bikes. Here she will highlight the concerns raised by constituents, and call on the Government to introduce stronger legislation around the sale, modification, and use of e-bikes and e-scooters.

Finally, she has a petition currently running, which calls on the Government to launch a national consultation on the use of e-bikes and e-scooters by the end of 2026. Details of which can be found, here.

A further consideration is that the modification of these vehicles raises the possibility of incompatible parts and "second-use" rechargeable lithium-ion batteries being used. This increases the risk of thermal runaway, an electro-chemical reaction of the components in the battery, with temperatures in excess of 600 degrees Centigrade and the release of toxic gasses. 

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) reported 20 fires specifically caused by e-bike and e-scooter batteries in 2025-26, the highest total in the South East of England and a 25% increase from the previous  year. Overall, in 2024, SRFRS responded to 55 lithium ion battery fires and it is important that e-bike recharging is not done in a location where safe exit from the building is obstructed by the vehicle being recharged.