People in Bradford 'increasingly' concerned about E-bikes and scooters - report
Several people have been killed or seriously injured after incidents involving such vehicles on the district’s roads
Electric scooters and E-bikes have become “a significant concern” for police teams in Bradford – a new report has claimed.
Several people have been killed or seriously injured after incidents involving such vehicles on the District’s roads – but the report saying the legal position on the issue remains “complex.”
The issue will be discussed at a Council meeting next week when members will get an update on the “Vision Zero” policy – a push to end road deaths in West Yorkshire.
Electric bikes and scooters are becoming an increasingly common sight on the roads across the UK. But the report says there can be confusion over whether they can be legally ridden on public streets.
And police can often have their hands tied when it comes to chasing down E bike criminals.
The Vision Zero report will go before Bradford Council’s Corporate Scrutiny Committee meeting on Thursday.
The goal of Vision Zero is to “eliminate road deaths and serious injuries” – and has been adopted by Bradford Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Members will get an update on the progress of the campaign – which has a target of eliminating all traffic deaths and serious injuries in the region by 2040, with an interim target of 50 per cent reduction by 2030.
The report says that from October 2024 to September 2025 there were 1,219 road casualties in the District – a 7.7 per cent drop from the previous year.
13 people were killed – the same number as the previous year, and 285 were seriously injured – a drop of 11.8 per cent.
Members will be given an update on the increasing prevalence of e bike and e scooter riders in these casualty figures.
The report gives details of the major incidents when people have been killed or seriously injured in E bike or electric scooter incidents in the 2024/25 financial year.
They include:
March 2024 – The rider of an electric motorcycle was seriously injured in a incident on Manningham Lane.
June 2024 – An e-scooter rider was seriously injured in an incident in the Leeds Road area.
August 2024 – A 17-year-old died in a crash involving a Sur-Ron type vehicle in Keighley where he was the rider.
September 2024 – A pedestrian was seriously injured in an incident involving an E-scooter in the Thornbury area.
February 2025 – the rider of a modified E-bike was seriously injured in an incident in the Shipley area.
In May 2025, since this recording period ended, a pedestrian – a woman in her 70s – has died after being hit by an electric motorbike on Leeds Old Road.
Referring to the legality of such vehicles, the report says:
“The legal position regarding electric micro-mobility vehicles remains complex.
“Private electric scooters are illegal to use on public roads, cycle lanes, and pavements. Only e-scooters hired through government-approved rental trials may be used legally. Electrically assisted pedal cycles (e-bikes) are legal without registration provided motor power does not exceed 250W and assistance cuts out at 15.5 mph.
“High-powered off-road electric motorcycles, colloquially known as ‘Sur-rons’, are classified as motor vehicles regardless of marketing.
“Their use on public roads without registration, insurance, and appropriate licence constitutes multiple criminal offences.
“These vehicles have become a significant concern for neighbourhood policing teams.”
Committee members will be told that the scale of the problem is hard to judge – as there is no clear data on how many accidents are linked to e bikes.
The report says:
“The national reporting system was not designed to distinguish between different types of micro-mobility vehicle.
“E-scooter casualties may be recorded under ‘pedal cycle’, ‘motorcycle’, or ‘other vehicle’ depending on officer assessment.
“The Department for Transport is updating categories, but this will not retrospectively address data gaps.”
Referring to issues in stopping illegal e bike/scooter riders, the report says:
“West Yorkshire Police adopt a proportionate approach balancing road safety with officer and public safety. National policing guidance discourages pursuit of riders on two-wheeled vehicles due to collision risk.
“Enforcement relies on alternative tactics: community intelligence, vehicle seizure under Section 165 powers, and investigation following incidents. Trading Standards are addressing sale of noncompliant vehicles and illegal modifications.”
But the report says some e scooters are legal, adding:
“Bradford participates in the Department for Transport’s national e-scooter rental trial, which permits licensed operators to offer e-scooters under controlled conditions: GPS geofencing, rider verification, in-app training, and designated parking.
“These regulated schemes are distinct from illegal private e-scooters and provide data to inform future national legislation.”