Petition: Action on Illegal E-Bikes & Motorbikes

Dangerous and anti-social use of illegal e-bikes and motorbikes is making people feel unsafe across our local area. We need action against those responsible now, alongside tougher laws to stop dangerous high-powered e-bikes and conversion kits reaching our streets in the first place.

Add your name to show the strength of feeling across our area and help me make the case for action.

Legal e-bikes are an increasingly popular way for people to get around, and this campaign is not about restricting their responsible use.

Under current law, an electrically assisted pedal cycle can have a motor with a maximum continuous rated power output of 250 watts, with electrical assistance cutting out at 15.5mph. They can be used in the same way as conventional bicycles, without the registration, tax, insurance or driving licence requirements that apply to motor vehicles.

However, increasingly powerful e-bikes and conversion kits are also available which can take ordinary bicycles far beyond these limits. Once an e-bike falls outside the legal requirements, it is treated as a motorcycle or moped and must comply with the relevant rules, including registration, tax, insurance and an appropriate driving licence.

The concern is not simply what these bikes are capable of, but the way some are being used. Suffolk Police have reported significant concern about off-road motorbikes, quad bikes and high-powered e-bikes and scooters being used dangerously and anti-socially across Lowestoft and the surrounding area.

In response, Suffolk Police launched Operation Wraxall to identify those responsible, reduce the risk of serious injury and improve safety in our communities. Police have warned that illegal e-bikes and motorised vehicles being used dangerously may be seized and destroyed.

I support this enforcement work, but I also believe we need to look at how these high-powered e-bikes and conversion kits are reaching our streets in the first place. I want to see tougher legislation around their sale, while protecting the right of people to continue using ordinary legal e-bikes safely and responsibly.

This is about combining effective enforcement locally with action nationally to make it harder for dangerously powerful and illegally used machines to become an established feature of our communities.

Reporting incidents to Suffolk Police

Operation Wraxall relies on information from the public to help identify those responsible and understand where incidents are taking place. Suffolk Police have asked residents to report dangerous or anti-social use of off-road bikes, quad bikes and e-bikes, including sharing pictures or videos where available.

Information can be sent directly to Operation Wraxall at opwraxall@suffolk.police.uk, reported through the Suffolk Police website or by calling 101. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers.

If a crime is in progress or there is an emergency, call 999.