DaniEl Johnson MSP and Pauline McNeill MSP in debate over e-bike safety.
by BILL HEANEY
If what your teenager wants for Christmas is an e-bike, then for God’s sake put him or her off, MSPs pleaded with parents in the Scottish Parliament.
What’s the government doing about e-bikes? Is the use of e-bikes being monitored in residential areas?
Labour MSP Daniel Johnston wants to know, given the public outcry over masked and balaclava-clad youths as young as 12 scaring the lives out of people and causing traffic accidents by driving recklessly.
The Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Kirsten Oswald, told MSPs that she had, along with Neil Gray, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, met the head of roads policing at Police Scotland to discuss Operation Armour, to hear firsthand how a targeted policing operation is addressing the illegal and antisocial use of e-bikes.
She added: “Riding an electrically assisted pedal cycle without a licence, helmet and insurance is dangerous and is an offence. So far this year, Police Scotland has seized more than 1,000 e-bikes and e-scooters, up from 569 last year.
“On 19 October, it began Operation Overlap, which is a week of targeted national enforcement. I thank Police Scotland for its ongoing efforts across the country to monitor and tackle those issues.
“I strongly encourage anyone who witnesses the misuse of e-bikes to contact Police Scotland so that appropriate action can be taken.”
Daniel Johnson wasn’t finished, however. He said: “I know that this is not the first time that the question has been asked and that the answer is not the first that has been given.
“Although much of the focus is on high-powered Sur-Ron electric motorcycles, the problem is also low-level.
“The minister spoke about what to do if people see an offence being committed. Offences can be seen daily. Every time we see someone whose feet are not moving on an e-bike, that is no longer pedal assistance but an illegal e-bike.
“What action will the police take to stop that low-level abuse of the law? We have to get the basics right as well as tackling the complex issues of high-powered Sur-Rons.”
Kirsten Oswald answered: “I am grateful to the member for his focus on the area. It is important that we have a collective focus on it. It presents a real concern to communities across the country.
“It was encouraging to see in Aberdeen the granular detail of Police Scotland’s work to ensure that the focus is on communities and on the challenges that such misuse can present. That is a focus for Police Scotland. The operation that was undertaken last week is a good indicator of the direction of travel.”
Labour’s Pauline McNeill MSP said that Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children has reported that e-scooters and e-bikes are now one of the most common causes of major trauma admissions in children.
“This was reiterated by Mark Lilley, the trauma co-ordinator at the children’s hospital, who said ‘A fall at speed can cause life-changing head or brain injuries. We’ve seen the trauma these accidents bring to families, and we strongly urge parents to reconsider before buying’.
“Is it time for a high-profile public information campaign about the dangers for children?”
Kirsten Oswald replied: “That is a profoundly helpful and timely question from Pauline McNeill, as we are in the run-up to Christmas.
“It is important that parents know what is or is not permitted—what is legal or not.
“We need to protect our young people; however, parents have a responsibility, as do many others, in that regard.
” It is also important that input from national health service partners and the police is part of that conversation.
“I agree with Pauline McNeill that it is important that a clear message is distributed, so that we all understand what is or is not legal.”
Reform MSP Julie MacDougall agreed with Pauline McNeill’s suggestion.
She said: “I have been contacted by a constituent in my region who was nearly a victim of a fatal crash, because of youths speeding around on e-scooters at the local retail park.
“Although e-scooters are banned on public roads and pathways, that does not deter those who want to cause a nuisance by going into private car parks and causing injury.
“What else can the Scottish Government do to ensure that private enforcement in retail car parks is strong enough to deter such dangerous and illegal behaviour—especially given that a police response can be quite slow?”
Kirsten Oswald said Julie MacDougall should be encouraged to continue to engage with Police Scotland on the topic and on any similar concerns, as well as engaging with the operators of any particular private areas such as retail car parks.
She added: “Fundamentally, it is not acceptable for people to engage in antisocial behaviour—which is what this is—which can have very serious consequences, as she outlined. That is a continued and ongoing focus for the Government and Police Scotland.”
Pauline Stafford (SNP) said she welcomed Police Scotland’s recent week of action to target illegal e-bikes and scooters, and I hope that it continues to pursue that issue with the same level of focus.
She added: “My question is along the same lines as Pauline McNeill’s question. Does the minister agree that, as we approach the festive season, there is a need to raise public awareness of the legal responsibilities and safety risks associated with the misuse of e-bikes, in particular for those who are considering purchasing one as a gift for a child or young person?
“Will the Scottish Government commit to a targeted national awareness campaign to help prevent misuse and improve public safety in the run-up to Christmas?”
Kirsten Oswald told her: “It is really important that parents—and all purchasers—understand what is and is not legal, and have some consideration regarding what they buy their children for Christmas.
“The points that have been made about the targeted marketing campaign are good ones; I am happy to go away and give the issue some further thought—and to do so with some speed given the time of year.”
