The number of ebikes seized by Sussex Police more than quadrupled in one year, outstripping an 83 per cent average rise across the country.
The force said that illegal 36 ebikes were seized in 2024, increasing to 145 last year – the biggest increase in mainland Britain.
The absolute number of confiscated ebikes also ranked among the highest outside London where the Metropolitan Police seized 2,367 in 2025-26, up from 1,384 in the previous year.
The figures were obtained by the Press Association news agency in a series of requests made under the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act.
The responses prompted police, politicians and charities to call for new laws to clamp down on the dangerous vehicles which have caused deaths and serious injuries in some cases.
Under UK law, legal ebikes are known as electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs) and must meet certain safety regulations such as their electric motor having a maximum power output of 250 watts and cutting out when a speed of 15.5mph is reached.
Many illegal ebikes confiscated by police have been modified to travel much faster, with some exceeding 70mph.
Non-compliant machines are effectively electric mopeds or motorbikes, which must be registered, taxed and insured.
While major retailers sell thousands of legal ebikes every year, many illegal machines are bought on the internet.
Kits which add an electronic motor to a conventional bike are available online for under £300.
As well as being used for crime, illegal ebikes are also often used for legitimate journeys such as food deliveries and commuting.
The figures did not escooters which have also prompted concerns although a trial escooter rental scheme started in Brighton and Hove last month, operated by Beryl, which also runs the bike hire and ebike hire scheme in the local area.
Sussex Police said that it would continue to take action against anyone found to be riding ebikes and escooters illegally to ensure the safety of the public and other road users.
The force said: “We encourage anyone using an ebike or escooter to ensure it meets legal standards and we remind the public that privately owned ebikes and escooters must not be ridden in public spaces.
“Over the past couple of years, we have recorded an increase in seizures of these vehicles on our roads.
“Some of these are as a result of collisions, routine drink and drug driving checks or following reports of criminal activity, anti-social behaviour or theft, for example.
“However, a large percentage of seizures are following proactive operations carried out by our Roads Policing Unit, Fatal Five Unit, Specialist Enforcement Unit and Neighbourhood Policing Teams, working together to catch criminals and keep everyone safe.
“On two separate days in June alone, we seized nine escooters, four ebikes and one e-unicycle, resulting in two arrests and a number of traffic offences being recorded.
“Riders are reminded that they risk being arrested, having their item seized and being prosecuted for road traffic offences if they are seen using ebikes and escooters in public in Sussex unless through an authorised rental scheme.
“Anyone with concerns about misuse should contact police via 101 or 999 in an emergency.”
In addition, a record 432 ebike fires were reported across the country last year, with fire services raising concerns about faulty batteries igniting while being charged.
The government said: “Illegal ebikes that can reach dangerous speeds have no place on our roads and pavements and the rise in seizures shows the scale of the problem police are dealing with.
“That’s why we have strengthened police powers, changing the law so that officers no longer need to issue a warning before seizing these vehicles where they are used anti-socially.”
These tougher powers came into force on Monday 29 June under the Crime and Policing Act 2026.
Good news but just the tip of the iceberg in Brighton and Hove. Much more to be done.
The police should spend a morning on the under cliff path between saltdean and ovingdean.
Still think bikes should have registration marks like number plates. The clear accountability that would bring may very well encourage a behavioural change.
Several illegal e-bikes used by delivery riders base themselves outside Waitrose on Western Rd, as well as in Hove on Church Rd… they should all be taken off the road. The e-bikes are made faster by using software hacks, external electronic tuning kits, higher-voltage batteries, and manipulate speed sensors to bypass the factory-installed 15.5 mph motor cut-off limit. They are treacherous when they speed among pedestrians. Easy pickings for the police.
It should be illegal for all links in the trade and ownership of these “bikes”, selling them only adds to the bad intentions of the buyers, their intent to ride them is obvious by purchasing them, end the imports, sales and any secondary sales, ie ebay. Anything less is still open trade and access to them.
What I find hilarious, in a rather grim way, is that usually people claim not to know the law, and are ‘offered advice’ by the police. Hopefully not any more. They know the law. I’m careful on pavements, but was run into by a heavy escooter back in February. I was lucky to be wearing a heavy padded winter coat which absorbed some impact. The scooter had two adults riding which may have helped slow it, but I had no chance to avoid it on the corner and a narrow pavement. Four letter abuse for me from the riders.
What happened on Teesside with cars is also happening with ebikes and escooters. Youths infantilised by an easy, unchallenging life, kitted out with full face balaclavas – often in 80° temperatures, so they’re avoiding facial recognition. Barely into their teens, and wanting to parade like ninja assassins cannot be right.
Nottingham might have to ban such face coverings, due to constant anti social behaviour.