A LOCAL MP and a candidate in next year’s Holyrood election have organised a public meeting to address the “dangerous” and “antisocial” use of electric and off-road bikes in southwest Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Labour MP Dr Scott Arthur and Holyrood elections Labour candidate Catriona Munro say that the event, which will take place on 13 November, comes at a “crucial” time for residents and police, as incidents of antisocial bike use see a spike.
In August, police responded to several incidents of reckless off-road bike driving in southwest Edinburgh, with hotspots like The Calders, Juniper Green, Lanark Road, Broomhouse, and Sighthill being identified.
Dr Arthur says that he “fully supports” Police Scotland’s efforts to tackle the issue, but that the Scottish Government is taking little meaningful action.
Earlier this week, e-bike accident statistics revealed that Edinburgh was the worst off in the country for accidents involving electric bicycles, with seven slight and two serious accidents recorded.
One of these accidents took place in the Edinburgh South Western constituency.
Dr Arthur says that e-bikes and dirt bikes pose an “urgent threat” to safety and social cohesion.
In a statement, he said: “The recent uptick in dangerous driving, on e-bikes and dirt bikes, poses an urgent threat to safety and cohesion within our communities.
“I urge anyone who witnesses an incident of dangerous bike usage to report it to the police, and I fully support Police Scotland’s efforts to take firm action on this issue.
“I am also thrilled to be working closely with Catriona Munro on this issue; I know she will be a strong voice against anti-social behaviour for Edinburgh South Western.”
The Scottish Government and Transport Scotland say that the distinction between illegally modified e-bikes and standard e-bikes is important, however.
They say that while the former are a danger and have no place on the roads, the latter have been “transformative” and form an important part of the Government’s active travel plans.
Catriona Munro said: “I’ve spoken to numerous residents who are intimidated by these bikes being ridden at speed and recklessly.
“They’ve pointed out some particular routes used and they’d like to see more action.
“Scott and I want to work constructively with Police Scotland to see how residents’ concerns can be met.”
In recent years, e-bikes have become far more prevalent on our streets, with new technology introducing cycling to people who may not have considered it otherwise.
They have made long commutes far easier by bike and made cycling easier for a wide range of people, including those with disabilities.
However, with the growth in e-bike usage, criticism has also been lodged that many e-bike users are behaving recklessly in pedestrianised areas and travelling at speeds far in excess of what is legal or acceptable on cycle paths.
This criticism is generally thrown at e-bikes as a whole, but these excesses are more often performed by illegally modified or “souped-up” cycles tweaked to travel at speeds far faster than an ordinary e-bike.
E-bikes modified in this way are reclassified as electric motorcycles under current legislation and become prohibited from being operated like bicycles.
Dr Arthur said that he is a longstanding advocate for enhanced police powers to seize e-bikes.
As for dirt bikes, there has also been growing concern from police and local politicians about their misuse.
In August, Police Scotland received numerous calls regarding the dangerous use of dirt bikes in Edinburgh and appealed to the public for information.
They said that off-road bikes were being ridden in a reckless, anti-social manner in The Calders, Juniper Green, Lanark Road, Broomhouse and Sighthill.
Dr Arthur and Munro have not yet outlined any specific solutions, but did say that the UK Government had launched a consultation on fast-tracked disposal of vehicles used for anti-social behaviour.
This includes e-bikes and dirt bikes.
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