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Police Scotland warns parents over e-bike and e-scooter gifts for children
Police in Scotland are urging parents to think carefully before buying children e-bikes or e-scooters for Christmas, citing safety risks and legal consequences. The warning comes amid reports of reckless riding and antisocial behaviour, while police say their current powers to intervene are limited.
Privately owned e-scooters are illegal on public streets, and some e-bikes may legally count as motorcycles or mopeds, requiring a licence and insurance. Police Scotland says seizures of e-bikes and e-scooters have risen by more than 60 per cent; Holyrood’s Criminal Justice Committee is investigating related crime and antisocial behaviour, and the Scottish Government wants stronger seizure powers.
In short
- Police warn parents about buying electric vehicles for children.
- Private e-scooters cannot legally be ridden on public streets.
- Seizures by Police Scotland have risen by more than 60 per cent.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Parents should take the warning seriously because fast or unsuitable devices can put children and other road users at risk, and some models may be illegal to use on public streets without the required licence or insurance. Rising seizures and reports of reckless riding suggest the issue is significant, while clearer powers could help police respond to dangerous use and antisocial behaviour.
The case against
A blanket caution risks treating all devices and riders alike, even though compliant e-bikes can offer useful, lower-emission transport and responsible use need not cause harm. Seizure powers should be carefully limited and supported by clear rules, proportionate enforcement and safe places to ride, so families are not deterred from lawful use or penalised for gaps in regulation.
Explained simply
E-bikes use an electric motor to assist the rider, while e-scooters are small, motorised scooters. The law depends on the vehicle and where it is used: privately owned e-scooters cannot be ridden on public streets in Scotland, and some powerful e-bikes are treated as motorcycles or mopeds, which require a licence and insurance.
Police Scotland says it has seized more e-bikes and e-scooters as reports of dangerous riding and antisocial behaviour have grown. Police say their powers to deal with some incidents are limited, and Holyrood’s Criminal Justice Committee is examining the issues. The Scottish Government is seeking stronger powers to seize vehicles.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Don’t buy your children an e-bike or e-scooter for Christmas, parents warned”.