Police in Glasgow have released a summary of the enforcement action it has undertaken as part of an operation targeting delivery riders in the city centre.
The crackdown on those riding 'illegally' modified electric bikes - which are capable of going at high speeds - began at the end of October.
On the first weekend of enforcement action, between October 27 and 29, police said officers in the city centre seized 12 illegal e-bikes and a number of persons reported for road traffic offences.
Police Scotland has confirmed to The Herald that, since October 30, the Glasgow city centre operation has resulted in the detection of 17 licence offences, 17 insurance offences, 17 electric/bike scooter seizures and eight instances of failing to stop at red lights.
Further to that, officers have detected one instance of failing to comply with a one-way system, 10 instances of failing to wear a helmet, one ply cord tyre offence, one instance of failure to have an MOT, one instance of a failure to display a registration and once dangerous driving offence.
READ MORE: Westminster ‘slow to act’ on e-bike 'menace' says Scots motoring expert
Glasgow has witnessed an explosion in the number of delivery riders using e-bikes in the city centre in recent months, with concerns about their use in pedestrianised areas, such as Sauchiehall Street, leading to calls from city centre residents for a crackdown on their use.
In August, residents gathered at Garnethill Multicultural Centre near to Sauchiehall Street to discuss the "threat to the safety and emotional wellbeing of city centre pedestrians" caused by "speeding cyclists".
Many who attended the meeting spoke of experiencing near misses with bikes, particularly in areas where pedestrians have to cross cycle lanes.
Scots motoring expert Neil Greig, of the Institute of Advanced Motoring, previously told The Herald that he agreed with a call by Cycling Scotland's road safety manager Simon Bradshaw that food delivery companies need to do more to check their riders' bikes are legal.
He said: "It is unacceptable that the big firms take no responsibility for the tampered bikes they encourage their self-employed riders to use by setting faster and faster times."
Deliveroo, which employs around 50,000 couriers, says it condemns the use of illegal e-bikes and fully supports efforts by Police Scotland to tackle the problem.
"Road safety is a priority for Deliveroo," said a spokeswoman.
“All our riders are required to meet minimum safety standards and, as with all road users, they must follow all local traffic laws and road regulations. If incidents are reported to us involving riders, we investigate and work with the authorities to take appropriate action where necessary.”
The UK government says modified e-cycles that 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.
In order for an e-bike to be legal to ride it must meet the government's criteria for an 'electrically assisted pedal cycle' (EAPC).
READ MORE: Illegal e-bikes seized as police crackdown on 'speeding' Glasgow food couriers
The electric motor must also have a maximum power output of 250 watts, and should not be able to propel the bike when it’s travelling more than 15.5mph.
Riders who fail to comply are committing a range of offences liable for police enforcement including fines and penalty points.
However, David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said recently that there are not enough police officers on the street to deal with people riding bikes that are not legal.
Road Policing Inspector Hugh Niccolls said: "We have been carrying out joint patrols with officers from the local Problem Solving team in Glasgow City Centre in response to complaints and incidents relating to e-bikes and e-scooters that are not road legal.
“Our focus is on educating riders on safety and legislative requirements, as well as using enforcement action where necessary.
"Road safety remains a priority and I would encourage anyone with information or concerns about potentially illegal e-bike or e-scooter activity to speak to officers on patrol in Glasgow City Centre or call Police Scotland on 101.”
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