Commissioner warns young people on risks of e-bike driving licence ban

Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner is urging young people and their parents to understand the serious, long-term consequences of using e-bikes and e-scooters illegally, following a record-breaking number of seizures by police.

In July and August alone, officers seized 359 illegal machines across the county, thanks in part to the introduction of a new fleet of six specialist motorcycles designed to help officers reach off-road and hard-to-access areas where scrambler bikes are frequently used. So far in 2025, more than 752 illegal machines have been seized, a figure never before achieved by the force.

This enforcement forms part of Operation Centurion, a county-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour, backed by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw. The operation targets nuisance vehicles, including scrambler bikes, which are increasingly linked to criminality, road safety risks, and community disruption.

The Commissioner is urging families to be aware that riding these vehicles without insurance or a valid licence can lead to serious penalties, including points on a future driving licence or even disqualification before a young person has legally started driving.

Under current legislation, e-scooters and many e-bikes are classified as motor vehicles. This means that offences such as riding without insurance or a licence are treated in the same way as driving a car illegally. The DVLA can hold points on a ‘ghost’ licence, which are activated once the individual applies for a provisional or full licence.

Parents may also face financial liability if their child is involved in a collision while riding illegally, with potential claims for compensation and legal costs.

Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said: “Many young people simply don’t realise that riding an e-bike or e-scooter illegally can have lasting consequences. These vehicles are not toys, they’re classed as motor vehicles, and that means the law applies just as it would to a car or motorbike.

“Points for offences like riding without insurance or a licence don’t simply disappear. They stay on your record and can affect you before you’ve even passed your test, leading to bans, fines, or increased insurance costs.

“This is about safeguarding young people’s futures. We want them to understand the risks and make informed choices. What might seem like harmless fun can result in serious legal and financial trouble.

“The reckless and illegal use of e-bikes and similar vehicles has led to tragic consequences both locally and nationally. I will continue to listen to residents and work with partners locally and nationally to push for clearer legislation and better education around e-vehicle use. Prevention starts with awareness, and that’s exactly what our work in Lancashire aims to achieve.”

The warning comes as part of Safer Streets Summer, a multi-agency initiative running until the end of September 2025, focused on tackling antisocial behaviour and improving safety across town centres and high streets.

Inspector Steve Scott from Lancashire Police said: “We have listened to what our public tell us around the illegal use of these machines and how it effects their communities. Data tells us they are involved in serious ASB and criminality. E-Bikes and E-Scooters are a growing contributory factor in killed and serious injury collisions that have continued to rise and it’s our young people that are often involved.

“We are committed to educating the public on their legalities and educating children in schools and online. But beyond that, the message remains clear, if you use these machines illegally on the road, you run the risk of prosecution, your bike will be seized and it will be crushed.”

For information about how to report antisocial behaviour visit lancstacklingasb.co.uk.