Nottinghamshire county councillors unanimously passed a motion calling for tougher action against illegal e-scooters and modified e-bikes, including a law requiring motor-powered vehicles to be registered, taxed and insured and their operators licensed, whatever their power or.
Under current UK rules, compliant e-bikes are limited to 250W and 15.5mph (24.9km/h); non-compliant models count as motor vehicles and require insurance, tax and a licence. Privately owned e-scooters are illegal in public. Nottinghamshire Police said it had seized 112 e-bikes in a city-centre crackdown begun last November, including one capable of 72mph (115km/h), and issued 19 warning letters and 229 education packs.
The motion commits the council to use its Trading Standards powers against retailers and suppliers of unsafe vehicles. The council is also set to ask the transport secretary to review whether current penalties and enforcement provide a sufficient deterrent. The government says police have stronger powers to seize vehicles used anti-socially, new safety laws are being introduced and action is being taken against unsafe products sold online.
