Current status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 October 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what work is being undertaken to ensure that e-bikes on public roads and footpaths do not exceed the legal limit of 15.5mph.
The Scottish Government is working closely with Police Scotland regarding the antisocial use of vehicles, including e-bikes. Enforcement is, however, a matter for Police Scotland, and Police Scotland regularly keep their approach to the illegal use of e-bikes under review. Local policing teams are best placed to identify misuse and work to prevent future incidents.
If e-bikes exceed the legal limit of 15.5mph and have a power output of more than 250 watts, police officers are able to treat the bikes as vehicles under the Road Traffic Act. Vehicles can be seized if the driver does not have a full driving licence, the vehicle is not insured, or if the driver is not wearing an approved helmet.