Action call on dangerous modified e-bikes

ADDITIONAL support is being demanded to tackle the illegal use of modified e-bikes and e-scooters in Dumfriesshire.

Following mounting concern amongst local residents, South of Scotland MSP Craig Hoy is calling for urgent action 'before someone is killed.'

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, he said: “In towns, including Dumfries, Annan and Lockerbie, residents have repeatedly raised concerns about the illegal and growing use of e-scooters and souped-up e-bikes on roads and pavements.

"One elderly constituent in Annan said that she was scared to leave her house in case she was involved in a collision with youths who are often clad in hoodies or balaclavas.

"Those concerns are shared by Police Scotland and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, which I met recently to discuss the problem.”

He pointed out that locally, Police Scotland has led on a local public awareness campaign, delivering more than 600 information leaflets to residents across the region.

Calling for action from the SNP Government, the MSP said: “Will the minister now ensure that the police in Dumfries and Galloway have the funding, the manpower and the support to tackle this mounting problem before someone is killed?"

Responding, Scottish Public Safety Minister Siobhan Brown stated she backed police action but could not commit to specific police funding to tackle e-bike misuse in Dumfriesshire.

Siobhan Brown said: “I am aware that Dumfries and Galloway’s community policing unit was out recently leafleting residents about the dangers of e-scooters. We support Police Scotland and its partners in dealing with the misuse of vehicles.”

After the debate, Mr Hoy said: “Modified e-bikes are dangerous and illegal – and causing alarm to residents in towns like Annan and Dumfries.

"I challenged SNP Ministers to deliver the manpower, funding and support for police to stop youths in balaclavas riding on roads and pavements endangering people’s lives.

"If the Minister and the SNP Scottish Government understood how serious this issue is, they would give police the backing they need to tackle this problem."