A police force has seized more than 130 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters in a single year, but the city is divided about whether riders or car drivers are the real ‘menace’.
West Mercia Police seized 138 e-bikes, e-scooters and e-mopeds in 2025/6, up from 111 the previous year and 47 the year before that.
Further data, revealed following a Freedom of Information request, shows that 135 were not appropriately registered in 2025/26, 107 in 2024/5 and 46 in 2023/24.
It is illegal to use e-scooters or e-mopeds on the roads, but people in Worcester remain divided over whether they are dangerous and whether tackling them is a priority in keeping our roads safe.
OUTSPOKEN: Dan Brothwell believes bad drivers are much more of a risk than people using e-bikes or e-scooters (Image: ITV Good Morning Britain via YouTube)
Dan Brothwell, chair of Bike Worcester, said he did not believe e-scooters or be-bikes were ‘particularly dangerous’, especially when compared to drivers but accepted that they were ‘absolutely illegal’.
Mr Brothwell, who said e-bikes were technically electric motorbikes, did not pose a hazard to pedestrians, arguing that they were the future of transport and ‘micromobility’.
He added: “It’s ludicrous that you can buy them at Halfords but they’re illegal to use. They are ubiquitous in other EU countries. What would be really interesting to see is how many cars have been seized by police in the same period.”
RISKS: Dan Brothwell says the the biggest risks come from drivers, not people on e-bikes or e-scooters (Image: Dan Brothwell)
Mr Brothwell says he is regularly ‘close passed’ by a driver while cycling between Worcester and Grimley – on average twice per day, arguing that a much bigger problem is unlicensed and uninsured drivers, which carries a ‘much bigger risk’ for both pedestrians and cyclists.
“If you walk out your door today, you’re much more likely to get killed by somebody driving a car than anything else,” he said.
‘E-bikes are a menace’, says Cllr Alan Amos
Cllr Alan Amos, who has been critical of cyclists in Worcester city centre in particular, branded e-scooters and e-bikes ‘a menace’, particularly to pedestrians, especially the elderly and young children.
“It’s the arrogance of them thinking they can do what they want, whenever they want” said Cllr Amos, leader of Reform UK in Worcestershire.
CONTROVERSIAL: E-bikes and e-scooters continue to divide opinion (Image: I-Wei Huang (via Getty Images))
“I’m pleased to see, at last, the police are doing something about it because my concern had been that they turned a blind eye. But I want the police to be even more vigorous because this is the tip of the iceberg. It’s a huge and growing problem and police need to be much more vigorous.”
Of those seized, two were auctioned and two destroyed. There is currently no specific offence for possession of e-bikes, e-scooters, or e-mopeds.
What is the law on e-bikes and e-scooters?
E-scooters and unregistered e-motorbikes are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988.
This means the rules that apply to motor vehicles, also apply to e-scooters, including the need to have a licence and insurance. There are two ways of using an e-scooter -by privately owning one or by renting one through an authorised rental scheme.
READ MORE: Cyclists flout rules in Worcester High Street says Amos
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said in advice issued on the force website: “It’s not currently possible to get insurance for privately owned e-scooters. This means it’s illegal to use them on the road or in public spaces, such as parks, street pavements, and shopping centres.
“If you use a privately-owned e-scooter in public, you risk the vehicle being seized under S.165 Road Traffic Act 1988 for having no insurance.
“If you cause serious harm to another person whilst riding an e-scooter/e-motorbike, the incident will be investigated in the same way it would if you were riding a motorcycle or driving a car. ”
What about e-scooters on private land?
If you own an e-scooter, you can only use it in on private land, such as in a garden. But you must have the permission of the landowner to do so.
You can rent e-scooters in some parts of the UK through but, where a rental trial scheme is running, rental e-scooters can be used on public roads, some cycle lanes, and other public spaces. However, riders must follow the relevant road traffic laws or face prosecution.
READ MORE: Bike Worcester cyclist reveals deadly toll of bad driving
To use a rental e-scooter in an approved area you must hold the correct driving licence, have insurance (the rental companies provide this when you hire from them) and meet the minimum age limit (this can vary depending on the rental company, so please check with them)
A fixed penalty notice could include a £300 fine and six penalty points on your licence for having no insurance, a £100 fine and three to six penalty points for riding without the correct licence
You could also be committing an offence if you’re caught riding on a pavement, where a fixed penalty notice and possible £50 fine could be imposed.
Other rules, which apply to drivers, could also apply such as a £200 fine and six penalty points for using a mobile phone or other handheld mobile device while riding