Tackling Illegal E-Bikes and Dangerous Riding

Cycling is a vital tool for public health, local air quality, and cutting traffic congestion. The Liberal Democrats have long championed legal active travel, having been the first major party to adopt the landmark recommendations of the 'Get Britain Cycling' report. 

However, public concern is growing over the dangerous misuse of illegally modified, high-speed e-bikes on pavements and in pedestrianised zones. Unregulated, oversized electric vehicles capable of extreme speeds pose severe risks to pedestrians. Worse still, they are increasingly weaponised by criminal gangs to facilitate anti-social behaviour and phone snatching.

The current legal framework for e-bikes is confusing, outdated, and rarely enforced. High-power conversion kits and illegal bikes flood online marketplaces completely unchecked.

Liberal Democrats believe everyone has the right to feel safe on our streets. We support the vast majority of law-abiding cyclists, gig-economy couriers, and delivery drivers trying to earn an honest living, but dangerous or criminal riders cannot be above the law. 

Today, Liberal Democrat members passed a clear policy to tackle illegal e-bikes, hold delivery platforms accountable, and safeguard public spaces.

Our new policy calls on the Government to:

• Restrict or ban the online sale and import of high-power e-bikes and conversion kits that breach standard EAPC limits, and overhaul the legal framework to clearly separate legal active travel from unregistered high-speed vehicles. 
   
• Give police forces updated training to spot, intercept and confiscate illegal e-bikes, and ensure existing dangerous cycling offences are properly enforced. 
   
• Introduce statutory liability requiring delivery platforms to verify riders' vehicles are legal and insured, backed by a nationwide active travel strategy with secure bike infrastructure and dedicated cycle paths. 

Allowing unregulated online sellers to flood our streets with illegal vehicles threatens to undermine public support for legal, green cycling.

By clamping down on illegal supply chains, holding tech platforms to account, and keeping our pavements safe for pedestrians, the Liberal Democrats are ensuring our towns and cities remain safe, accessible, and active.