Meeting of the Parliament 09 December 2025
I, too, thank Sue Webber for securing the debate on this important issue. I agree with my colleague Monica Lennon that the debate is timely, given that, at this point in the year, more e-bikes might be being bought. People must think of the consequences.
We are hearing a common story from representatives around Scotland. People across my home city of Dundee are concerned about the growth in antisocial and criminal behaviour that is facilitated by e-bikes. Just this weekend, residents in Ardler explained to me the menace that is being caused in their community by people recklessly driving e-bikes at high speed. Last week, I spoke with residents in Kirkton who are being menaced by people driving e-bikes at speeds of up to 50mph in built-up areas, racing through red lights, riding on pavements and intimidating other road users.
A few months ago, I was overtaken on Riverside Drive in Dundee by two young men—boys, really—who were doing wheelies at more than 30mph, putting themselves and other road users in huge danger. As with the experiences to which other members have testified, those riders were in black clothing, with their faces covered, so it was impossible for the police to identify them, and it was frightening for children and residents to witness them.
No training, no licence and no insurance are required for what are vehicles that can travel as fast as a car in residential areas. They pose a real danger in our communities. According to UK Government data, 1,312 collisions involving e-scooters were reported in the UK in 2024, and six people were killed in collisions last year.
The cumulative impact of such behaviour on our communities is significant. People feel that our streets are not safe, parents are worried when their kids go out, and older people are hesitant to leave their houses.
Recently, I dealt with a case of damage resulting from a police chase involving e-bikes in Strathmartine, in Dundee. Such damage is being done to our communities by reckless users of e-bikes, and overstretched councils are having to do additional work to clean up the mess that those users leave behind.
As other members have testified, it is impossible for the police to identify such e-bike riders, because they often wear black clothing and cover their faces. That leaves local people with the feeling that those riders are untouchable and there is no way of dealing with them. The sheer number of racers and bikers is overwhelming, and the police seem to be unable to pursue them and sanction them accordingly.