Tuesday, November 11, 2025
It comes as officers seized their 1,000 vehicle as part of Op Centurion, a county-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour – including dangerous driving - backed by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw.
Each year, the Constabulary receives 4,000 reports about motorcycle nuisance and illegal e-bikes, and the issue regularly tops the list of concerns highlighted to local neighbourhood teams through Lancashire Talking surveys.
It has also seen a number of serious collisions involving the machines, resulting in injuries and fatalities to both riders and members of the public.
Roads Policing Inspector Steve Scott said:
“The public are telling us that nuisance bikes and e-bikes are a concern and we see for ourselves the devastation they can cause when ridden illegally, so it’s only right that we take action.
“That action includes delivering education packages in schools and colleges as well as public engagement activities to highlight the law around some of these vehicles. However, enforcement is key too if we are to keep pedestrians and other road users safe.
“This enforcement activity stepped up in summer with the arrival of a new police bike fleet and as a result we’ve now seized our 1,000th vehicle.
“I’d like to use this landmark event to make a renewed appear to people, especially parents, not to purchase these types of illegal vehicles, particularly ahead of Christmas.
“We know they will be in all the shops and on people’s wish lists, but if we find them being ridden illegally, they will be seized and crushed, and owners left facing potential court proceedings and an impact on their current or future driving licence.”
Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said:
“The endemic illegal use of bikes, quads and e-scooters has consistently been one of the top concerns raised with me and local officers by members of the public, and I've been clear that action needed to be taken. That’s why I fully supported the introduction of a dedicated fleet of off-road bikes to tackle this issue head on. I’ve personally witnessed the success of these operations, with numerous illegal vehicles being taken off our streets.
"These outcomes are hugely positive and demonstrate that we take public concerns seriously and act on them. I welcome the Government's commitment to strengthening police powers to address this dangerous and anti-social behaviour, and I will continue working with them and our partners to put a stop to the use of these illegal vehicles.
“As the public’s voice in policing, I remain committed to pushing for tougher legislation and ensuring every available measure is used to deliver the highest standard of policing for the people of Lancashire."
Outside of the legal framework for legal EAPC’s, e-machines can be treated as motor vehicles and as such would need to be registered with the DVLA and display a vehicle registration plate and hold relevant insurance, tax and MOT. The riders would also be required to hold a minimum of a provisional driving licence with a compulsory basic driving test (CBT).
Electric Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPC) are commonly owned and seen across the UK. This is a relatively cheap mode of transport and is legal to be used on UK roads without the addition of insurance, tax, MOT or driving licence. We often see illegally adapted machines that have powerful imported batteries and throttles at which are added to mountain bikes which are propelled, and speeds that far exceed safe levels. This includes adapted EAPC which are propelled solely by a throttle.
Despite the relative ease of purchasing a e-scooters, they cannot be used anywhere other than private land.
Anyone concerned about illegal or dangerous driving of e-bikes can find out more about reporting actions on the dedicated Op Centurion website – https://www.lancashire-pcc.gov.uk/lancashire-tackling-asb/
Information can also be passed to independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. You can also call 101 or 999 in an emergency.