Newcastle's Growing Illegal E-Bike Problem

Walk through Newcastle city centre on a busy afternoon and you'll almost certainly see electric bikes weaving through traffic, cycle lanes and pedestrian areas. For many people they have become a convenient and environmentally friendly way to travel, particularly for commuters and food delivery riders.

However, alongside the rise in legal electric bikes, concerns have also grown about illegally modified machines capable of travelling at much higher speeds than UK law allows.

Residents have increasingly reported riders travelling along pavements, ignoring traffic signals and using high-powered bikes that appear closer to electric motorbikes than bicycles. While the vast majority of e-bike users ride responsibly, Northumbria Police has confirmed that illegal machines are becoming an increasing focus for enforcement across Newcastle and the wider North East.

Police seizures have risen sharply.

The latest Freedom of Information figures show Northumbria Police seized 58 illegal e-bikes between August 2023 and August 2024, compared with 18 during the previous 12 months. That represents an increase of more than 220 percent in just one year.

Separate information released by the force also revealed that 39 illegal electrically assisted pedal cycles had already been seized during 2024 by 12 December, with dedicated operations taking place in Newcastle city centre.

Northumbria Police says officers regularly stop riders, inspect bikes and seize those that fail to meet the legal definition of an electrically assisted pedal cycle. Alongside enforcement, officers also distribute educational leaflets and have worked with food outlets to explain the rules surrounding legal e-bikes.

What makes an e-bike illegal?

Many people assume any electric bicycle is legal, but UK law sets strict limits.

A legal electrically assisted pedal cycle must have a motor with a maximum continuous power output of 250 watts, and motor assistance must cut out when the bike reaches 15.5mph (25km/h).

If a bike has a throttle allowing it to travel without pedalling, has been fitted with an oversized motor or has been modified to exceed the speed limit, it may legally become an electric motorcycle or moped.

That means it may require registration, insurance, vehicle tax, a driving licence and an approved helmet before it can be ridden on public roads.

Many riders are unaware that inexpensive conversion kits sold online can make an otherwise legal bicycle illegal to use on UK roads.

Newcastle city centre has become a key focus.

One of the busiest areas for enforcement has been Newcastle city centre, where large numbers of delivery riders operate throughout the day.

Northumberland Street, Grainger Street, Blackett Street and surrounding pedestrianised areas regularly experience heavy footfall, increasing concerns about fast-moving bikes travelling close to shoppers.

Northumbria Police has confirmed it runs dedicated operations targeting illegally adapted electric bikes, particularly those used by delivery riders. Officers carry out roadside inspections and seize bikes that breach legal requirements before arranging their removal.

The force says its aim is not only enforcement but education, helping riders understand the difference between a legal electrically assisted bicycle and a machine that should be registered as a motor vehicle.

Why are police becoming more concerned?

Speed is only part of the issue.

Illegally modified e-bikes are often heavier than standard bicycles and can accelerate much faster, making collisions with pedestrians significantly more dangerous.

Police forces across the UK have also linked some high-powered e-bikes to offences including phone theft, antisocial behaviour and dangerous riding because their speed allows offenders to leave scenes quickly. National Freedom of Information data showed UK police confiscated 937 e-bikes in a single year, an increase of around 83 percent compared with the previous year among forces providing comparable data.

National experts have also warned about poorly modified batteries and charging systems.

A recent report found UK fire services attended 520 e-bike battery fires during 2025, compared with 149 in 2022, with many incidents involving modified or uncertified batteries and conversion kits.

Responsible riders should not be discouraged.

While headlines often focus on illegal bikes, cycling groups have stressed that legal e-bikes remain a safe and environmentally friendly form of transport.

Sales of electric bikes continue to grow because they help reduce congestion, lower emissions and encourage people to cycle who may otherwise choose a car.

The concern is not with genuine electrically assisted bicycles that comply with UK regulations, but with machines that have been deliberately modified to travel at motorcycle-like speeds without meeting the legal safety requirements.

Police have repeatedly said enforcement is aimed at the small minority of riders whose behaviour creates danger for pedestrians and other road users.

Will enforcement continue across the North East?

All the signs suggest the answer is yes.

Northumbria Police has made illegal e-bike enforcement part of ongoing city centre operations and says officers will continue stopping riders, inspecting bikes and seizing those that break the law. Public reports are also helping officers identify locations where dangerous riding is most common.

As electric bikes become more common across Newcastle, the challenge will be balancing greener transport with public safety.

Most riders simply want a convenient way to travel or work, but a growing number of illegally modified machines risks damaging the reputation of e-bikes as a whole.

For Newcastle residents, the message remains straightforward. Legal e-bikes are welcome on the city's streets, but illegally modified machines capable of excessive speeds are likely to face increasing attention from police as enforcement continues across the North East.

Join the discussion.

Have you noticed more illegal e-bikes in Newcastle city centre or your local area?