Take back control from e-bike gangs – they’ve turned into a nightmare in towns

Parliament must enforce point-of-sale restrictions on the purchase of e-bikes and introduce age limits, writes Record View.

Peggy Maxwell might be a 94-year-old pensioner but she is determined to change the law on electric motorbikes after being run over by one.

She tells her story today and we hope MSPs will read her words carefully – and put in place ­regulation to keep folk safe.

What was pitched as a green transport option has turned into a nightmare in towns and housing estates in Scotland.

These high-powered electric bikes are frequently modified to hit motor vehicle speeds but are often used with no training, insurance or licence.

This situation has led to an explosion of e-bike gangs roaming around without a care for their own safety or that of the pedestrians they crash into. Police are often unable to chase them – and the ­youngsters are well aware.

These are not harmless teenagers on pushbikes. They are riding heavy, silent machines capable of speeds over 50mph.

Beyond local anti-social behaviour, they have become the preferred transport for county lines drug-running and street robbery, offering escape for criminals.

Current legislation on e-bikes and ­electric motorbikes is not working. That’s why Peggy’s plea, backed by her MSP Richard Baker, needs to be heeded.

We need an aggressive policy overhaul. Parliament must enforce point-of-sale restrictions on the purchase of e-bikes and introduce age limits. There must be a mandatory e-bikes registration scheme.

Police Scotland must gain enhanced powers and ­dedicated pursuit resources to intercept and confiscate non-compliant bikes on the spot.

Legitimate commuters and eco-conscious cyclists have nothing to fear. Regulation is not an attack on ­sustainable travel. It is a long-overdue measure to support safe communities.

Too many housing estates have been transformed into unregulated racetracks for criminal gangs. That has to end now – for Peggy’s sake and that of every victim of the e-bike free-for-all.

Earn our respect

Today Glasgow will play host to another potentially divisive rally, weeks after a similar event sparked scenes of chaos. This protest has been organised by the Pink Ladies, who claim to be supporting women’s safety.

And that is a legitimate aim. When immigration and asylum are discussed, it is right that crime, women’s safety and community cohesion are considered.

But as we have seen before, these rallies in support of “community safety” often escalate into outright racism and the targeting of minority groups.

We hope today’s protest passes off peacefully. And we would remind those taking part that hatred, racism and attacks on the working people of Glasgow are never acceptable.

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