The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) is calling for coordinated national action to tackle the rapid growth of illegal, high-powered and tampered e-bikes, following extensive engagement with police forces and Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) across the UK – and ahead of the Second Reading of the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPC) Bill.

Illegal vehicles – including illegally modified e-bikes and non-compliant products marketed as “e-bikes” which are capable of moped and motorcycle performance – are increasingly being used on public roads without licensing, registration, insurance or safety oversight. MCIA warns that this is creating a parallel, unregulated mobility market with significant implications for road safety, policing resources and legitimate businesses.

The impact on the legal sector is significant. Registrations of new L1 mopeds have fallen by more than 40% since 2022 – a decline that coincides with the rapid rise of illegal e-bikes operating as de facto mopeds but outside the regulatory framework designed to ensure safety and accountability.

This comes at a critical moment, with the Second Reading of the EAPC Bill providing Parliament with a timely opportunity to address the growing gap between legal and high-powered illegal e-bikes.

Over recent months, MCIA has engaged with every Chief Constable, PCCs, and the Policing Minister. Every policing representative spoken to have recognised illegal e-bikes as a growing and pressing issue, and many forces are already taking action through seizures and targeted operations.

However, enforcement inevitably varies across the country, reflecting differences in local priorities, resources and operational frameworks – not a lack of commitment.

Police feedback indicates enforcement often focuses on anti-social behaviour due to its visibility, while a significant proportion of illegal e-bike use is linked to the gig-economy delivery sector, with riders frequently operating under the branding of major platforms such as Deliveroo, Just-Eat and Uber Eats.

Targeted operations have also uncovered wider criminal activity, including illegal working, exploitation, weapons and drug offences – underlying the complexity of the issue.

A consistent concern raised by forces is the lack of clear, national guidance on identifying, seizing and disposal of illegal vehicles, contributing to inconsistent enforcement.

MCIA is therefore calling for coordinated national leadership – particularly from the Home Office – to deliver a clear cross-Government framework that supports policing, addresses the wider drivers of illegal e-bike use, and strengthens expectations on delivery platforms to prevent the use of non-compliant vehicles.

MCIA welcomes ongoing work by the National Police Chiefs’ Council to develop operational guidance for forces, but this must be supported by broader policy action, including improved oversight and accountability within the gig economy.

Without coordinated action, unsafe vehicles will continue to circulate, enforcement pressures will grow, and compliant businesses will face increasing disadvantages. Illegal e-bikes are no longer a niche nuisance – they represent a complex national challenge that policing alone cannot resolve.

Tony Campbell, Chief Executive, MCIA, said: “Law-abiding manufacturers, retailers and users of mopeds and motorcycles are fed up with seeing widespread disregard for the law with retailers and industry losing out as a result. This is not simply a market trend, it is the emergence of an unregulated substitute for mopeds and motorcycles operating on public roads posing significant risk to pedestrians, other road users with these illegal vehicles being used to enable more serious crime.
Every police force and PCC we have engaged with recognises the seriousness of this issue. This is not about criticising policing – officers are dealing with a complex problem that cuts across transport regulation, employment laws, retail laws and safety to the public. Several forces have been very proactive in dealing with the crisis.
Police forces are key partners in the solution, but they cannot solve this alone. What is needed now is national clarity, consistent policy direction and coordinated action across Government.
With the EAPC Bill now before Parliament, there is a clear opportunity to get ahead of this issue. If Government fails to act, they risk allowing an unregulated market and use to become further embedded in our society and roads”
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Written by MCIA 

MCIA website click here

MCIA represents over 95% of the supply side of the industry; the manufacturers and importers of powered two wheelers (PTWs) and other PLVs (or L-Category vehicles), accessory and component suppliers and companies providing associated services.

Examples and definitions of the different L-Category Vehicles (L1 to L7) can be found here.

Top image courtesy of Wal 172629 – Paxabay