Now 10,000 ‘dangerous’ food delivery bikes on Scotland’s streets… and pavements!
- Crackdown on growing threat e-cycles cause to pedestrians
Published: 00:12, 26 November 2023 | Updated: 00:12, 26 November 2023
A staggering 10,000 cyclists are operating across Scotland's towns and cities delivering fast food, prompting calls for an urgent crackdown on the massively expanding trade.
The riders, often on powerful e-bikes[2], have become a familiar sight with their brightly -coloured bags strapped to their backs.
However, concern is growing over the threat they pose to the safety of pedestrians - and even cars - with many claimed to be flouting road -traffic regulations and riding on pavements.
The number operating can be revealed as we also disclose that dozens of offences have been detected by police in recent weeks, including running red lights and going the wrong way up one-way streets. Officers have seized 17 e-bikes this month alone, but the sheer number of riders has sparked calls for action to be ramped up.
Modified e-cycles which exceed speed and power limits remain illegal to drive on the road unless the rider registers, insures and taxes the vehicle in line with motorcycle requirements.
Complaints have led to police action with more than 70 offences detected in Glasgow[3] this month, including insurance and licence offences as well as road traffic violations. Scottish Conservative justice spokesman -Russell Findlay said: 'Many of these drivers act with reckless disregard for pedestrians and other responsible road users while their e-bikes are often heavy and travel at high speeds.
E-bikes are a regular sight on the streets and pavements of Scotland's cities
SO WHAT IS THE LAW?
ELECTRIC bikes - technically classed as Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPCs) - can be ridden by anyone over the age of 14.
They do not require a licence and do not need to be -registered, taxed or insured.
However, the law states they must meet certain criteria. Firstly, the power of the motor must not exceed 250W. Secondly, the engine can only be used to assist a rider who is actually pedalling.
If it meets the criteria, an EAPC is classed as a normal pedal bike and can be ridden on cycle paths and public roads.
Many e-bikes, however, can be easily customised so the engine is -controlled by a throttle, meaning the rider doesn't need to pedal.
Such a modification effectively turns the machine into an electric motorbike, which legally requires a rider to have a driving licence and wear a crash helmet.
Many e-bikes can also be customised to remove the speed regulator - -allowing them to easily, but illegally, travel at speeds up to 35mph.
Advertisement'They've already been involved in serious collisions and it seems only a matter of time before more people are harmed, or worse.' One operator, Deliveroo, now has 4,000 riders operating in Scotland, while another, Uber Eats, is understood to have a similar number.
Market leader Just Eat refused to disclose numbers, -but the figure is understood to take the total to well over 10,000.
The numbers reflect a surge in demand for food deliveries, seen as a legacy of lockdown.
Road policing Inspector Hugh Niccolls said: 'We have been carrying out patrols in response to complaints and -incidents relating to e-bikes and e-scooters that are not road legal.
I would encourage anyone with information or concerns to speak to officers on patrol or call police on 101.'
The delivery companies all said road safety was a priority and that couriers must adhere to the law.
An Uber spokesman said: 'Any report of a courier breaching road laws can result in them being removed from the platform.'
Just Eat said: 'If we are made aware that a courier delivering on our behalf has acted in a way that does not uphold the standards we hope to deliver, we will of course take action as appropriate.'
A Deliveroo spokesman said it 'condemns the use of illegal e-bikes and supports Police Scotland in tackling this issue'.
The Department for Transport said: 'We have set out clear guidance on what e-bikes are legal, with strict limits on speed and power.'
E-bikesGlasgow[4][5]