Officers provide advice on e-bikes and e-scooters in Glasgow city centre

Police Scotland is continuing to educate the public on the legal guidelines of e-bikes and e-scooters, which are becoming increasingly common in towns and cities throughout the country.

On Tuesday, 4 March, 2025, officers in Glasgow stopped and spoke to road users on e-bikes in the city centre to ensure their vehicles met the specific requirements.

These include that the motor should not be able to propel the bike when it is travelling more than 15.5mph and must have a maximum power output of 250 watts.

Machines that exceed these limits are motor vehicles and the rider must hold a full UK driving license, have insurance, and wear an approved helmet.

E-scooters, however, 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.

In recent years, officers have seized a growing number of e-bikes and e-scooters being used illegally on roads. Some machines are being modified to exceed speed and power limits, which can reclassify them under motorcycle legislation.

Glasgow Community Policing Officer, Constable Nathan Baxter said: "We are aware there are more e-bikes and e-scooters using the local road network which is why it's important to provide the relevant advice to ensure all these machines are legally compliant.

"Anyone found riding a non-compliant e-bike or e-scooter on a public road will likely have it seized by officers and removed to a contractor's yard, with a significant cost to the owner.

"Additionally, using vehicles that do not meet legal requirements poses a serious safety risk, increasing the likelihood of injuries to both riders and other road users, particularly pedestrians."

For further information on the use of electric bikes visit: https://www.gov.uk/electric-bike-rules