November 27, 2025 - 174 views
As the children and young people of North Wales write their Christmas present lists in the run up to the big day, the chances are that e-scooters and e-bikes will figure prominently in notes to Father Christmas or in pleas to parents looking for the perfect gift to satisfy demand.
According to data company Statista, despite overall bicycle sales in the United Kingdom having fallen in the recent years, e-bike sales have been rising in the past two years and the market is expected to grow by over five percent between 2024 and 2025.
This rise in popularity has put e-scooters and e-bikes (also known technically as Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles or EAPCs), in the spotlight as never before.
But as e-scooters and e-bikes have become increasingly popular, there has also been a rise in collisions and injuries to pedestrians when using them. Tragically, there have also been several deaths of young people riding them.
With this in mind, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales Andy Dunbobbin is joining officers from North Wales Police to remind parents who may be thinking of buying them, of what the law says on their use, and to be mindful of this when giving them as presents.
PCC Dunbobbin recently joined Detective Inspector Tim Evans of North Wales Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit at a location in North Denbighshire where seized e-bikes and e-scooters are stored to discuss the issue and to see what can happen to these items when they are removed from people using them incorrectly or illegally.
It is important to remember that while people might think that these items are just toys, e-scooters are actually classed as power transporters and are defined as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988. This requires the rider to have a driving licence, insurance, and tax. It's not currently possible to get insurance, which means it's illegal to use them on the road, pavements, parks, and other public places in Wales.
Tim Evans has listed a number of key points that parents and guardians need to be aware of before buying e-scooters and e-bikes this Christmas and letting young people in their care use them:
Because e-scooters are classed as motor vehicles, anyone caught riding one in a public place could face:
a fine of up to £300 for having no insurance.
Six penalty points on their driving licence (these can be added later, even if the rider doesn’t have a licence).
The e-scooter being seized by the police.
E- bikes may only be ridden by people 14 years of age or older. If confirming to the EAPC Regulations 1983, they are road-legal and don’t require a licence, insurance, or registration.
EAPCs may be ridden on cycle paths, and anywhere else pedal cycles are allowed.
To classify as an EAPC, an e-bike must be fitted with pedals which can propel the bike. The bike must have a maximum power output of 250 watts which cannot propel the bike at more than 15.5mph. If the rider isn’t pedalling, ‘twist and go’ throttles are only permissible up to a speed of 3.7 mph.
The bike must display the motor’s power output, or manufacturer’s name and show either the battery voltage or maximum speed.
The police may seize mechanically propelled vehicles when they’re being driven/ridden carelessly or inconsiderately and if they are causing, or is likely to cause, alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public.
PCC Andy Dunbobbin commented: “Nobody wants to be a Grinch at Christmas and deny our young people presents they have been longing for, and it’s important to note that many people use these e-bikes and e-scooters correctly. But it’s also crucial parents and guardians are aware of the rules before making a big purchase on an e-scooter or e-bike for Christmas that the young person might not be old enough, or legally allowed, to use on a public road or pavement.
“There have been several cases where young people have died after collisions caused by riding e-bikes and e-scooters, and everywhere I go in North Wales people tell me of antisocial behaviour caused by the misuse of e-bikes and e-scooters. This is something I am determined to deal with alongside North Wales Police as part of my plan to reduce crime in North Wales.
“So, while parents may feel under pressure to buy e-scooters and e-bikes in the lead up to Christmas, it’s important they know the rules around their use. I am grateful to DI Tim Evans and his colleagues for their hard work to inform the public around the correct use of e-bikes and e-scooters and their determination to keep residents, riders and road users safe and secure during the festive season and throughout the year.”
DI Tim Evans of North Wales Police added: “The main message is don’t buy or ask for an e-scooter as they are illegal to use other than on private land, with the permission of the landowner. EAPCs bring societal benefits when conforming to the regulations. However, from a road safety perspective please consider the personal risk to riders and/or conflict with other road users before purchasing for your loved ones.”
More information on the correct use of e-bikes and e-scooters can be found here:
E-scooters: https://www.gov.uk/electric-scooter-rules
