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MPs raise fears over illegal e-bikes and e-scooters as concerns grow about access to streets and taxi pickups
MPs debate e-scooter and e-bike regulation, raising concerns about pedestrian safety, accessible streets and the wider implications for taxi passengers and pickup points.
Taxi services were not the main subject of the Commons debate on e-scooter and e-bike regulation, but concerns about pedestrian safety and street conditions have direct relevance to how passengers reach taxis, ranks and pickup points. MPs described people being intimidated or injured by fast-moving, illegally modified vehicles, including on pavements and in public spaces.
The debate, opened by Helen Maguire, Liberal Democrat MP for Epsom and Ewell, focused on calls for clearer rules, better enforcement and controls on illegal vehicles. She said residents in her constituency had raised the issue repeatedly, including one parent whose child was “now too scared to go to the beautiful park that is next to his house”.
Several MPs described pedestrians feeling unsafe on footways. Mark Sewards, Labour MP for Leeds South West and Morley, raised concerns about the “silent nature of e-scooters and e-bikes” and the effect on blind and visually impaired people. Members also cited incidents involving older people and children, as well as fast riding in parks, town centres and on busy roads.
For taxi and private hire drivers, the debate’s relevance lies in the wider street environment their passengers and drivers must navigate. Unsafe pavements and crowded pickup areas may make access harder for passengers, particularly those with mobility or visual impairments.
MPs also discussed gaps in the regulation of private e-scooters, modified e-bikes and conversion kits. Helen Maguire argued that there was “no practical legislation” covering their use, no coordinated police guidance and limited control over online sales. She called for a cross-government response to address imports, sales and enforcement.
Deirdre Costigan, Labour MP for Ealing Southall, said councils had limited powers over e-bike schemes and described pavement riding as a daily concern for residents. She argued that private e-scooters should be legalised under rules covering speed, product standards, lighting and minimum age, while high-powered e-bikes and conversion kits should be stopped at the point of sale.
The discussion extended beyond street safety to policing capacity, product standards and consumer understanding. Members raised concerns about uncertified lithium-ion batteries, illegal modifications and the difficulty of identifying riders who conceal their faces. They also called for clearer guidance on which vehicles are legal and where they can be used.
The debate included arguments for preserving the benefits of legal electric bikes and scooters. Participants referred to their potential role in affordable travel, health, emissions reduction and support for gig economy workers.
The challenge identified by MPs was how to enable legitimate use while addressing unsafe riding and vehicles that do not comply with existing rules.
For the taxi sector, any future policy response could matter where it changes how people travel to and from ranks, stations and pickup locations, or how councils manage shared vehicle schemes. The debate, however, centred on regulation and safety rather than taxi licensing or operational requirements.
