Commuters increasingly choosing illegally modified eBikes as consumer awareness challenge persists

The numbers of commuters being caught using illegally modified e-motorbikes as e-bikes has risen dramatically in the past year, according to City of London Police, who are stopping as many commuters on illegal eBikes as delivery riders during rush hour. This dramatic shift is understood to be driven by the rising cost of living and a lack of consumer knowledge about what constitutes a legal eBike.

The City of London’s dedicated cycling team tackles cycling-related crime in the capital, including offences committed by cyclists. While a year ago most of the illegal e-motorbikes City police stopped were being ridden by delivery cyclists, the demographic of users seems to have shifted dramatically.

This perception is echoed in the industry, with cycle shops apparently seeing more commuters coming in with illegal products. The industry’s new E-Bike Positive ‘Trust Mark’ is aimed at improving customer knowledge about safe products, but it may take a while to filter down to the street.

Sgt Stuart Ford, who leads the City of London Police’s cycling team, says: “In relation to the types of bikes we’re seeing out there and who’s using them, between commuters and gig economy [riders] we’re seeing more of a 50:50 split.”

“Some of these commuters know what they’re riding is not legal, but they’re kind of taking the risk. I think generally though, people don’t realise. They buy something that’s quite cheap, think ‘this is good, I can ride to work, I’m not going to get all sweaty when I get to work, brilliant’.”

Sgt Ford said some riders have reported getting the machines via the Cycle to Work scheme. He said: “Somebody was buying one of these bikes from one of these companies on their ride to work scheme. So you’re buying a non-compliant bike for the road on a ride to work scheme.”

This echoes what interviewees said in the controversial documentary with Adrian Chiles, aired by the BBC in January 2025, that some illegal e-motorbikes were being bought via the Cycle to Work scheme.

According to Cyclescheme’s website, the company behind the salary sacrifice scheme, 45% of its 2,700 suppliers stock e-bikes – amounting to 1,170 shops.

Jonathan Harrison, of the Association of Cycle Traders, echoes Sgt Ford’s findings. He said: “Anecdotally, we’ve been hearing reports of commuters turning to non-compliant products as a low-cost transport solution, often without fully understanding the legal distinction between a compliant eBike and a higher-powered vehicle.”

In a small online snap poll of six cycle retailers, four said they had seen a slight increase in customers bringing in non-compliant e-cycles, and five said the people bringing in these products were a mix of delivery riders and commuters or recreational riders.

Harrison adds: “The challenge is less about consumer intent and more about consumer awareness. That’s exactly where E-Bike Positive can help. The Trust Mark has been created to help people make informed choices by signposting verified brands and responsible retailers where they can access trusted advice and purchase compliant products with confidence. Better consumer understanding is essential to improving safety, reducing confusion and supporting the continued growth of the legitimate e-bike market.”

Sgt Ford also wonders if gig economy riders have learned the City is a hostile place for them, in that they are likely to be caught riding illegal machines there. Those using apps like Waze are even alerted to City Police presence, helping them avoid the area.

For riders who are unaware what they are riding is illegal, Sgt Ford and his ten-person team can use professional discretion. He said: “It depends on the individual and what the offences are… what they’re doing. We have got the option of prosecuting or not prosecuting and we have to take into account an awful lot when we look at that.”

In a recent meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Walking and Cycling on ‘fake e-bikes’, speakers noted a lack of progress in the 14 months since the Group’s report was published, raising the alarm about the rise in dangerous products being sold and used in the UK. Among the APPG’s recommendations were that unsafe e-motorbikes were withdrawn from sale; that the private land loophole, meaning suppliers can sell products that are illegal to use in most contexts, was closed; and introducing a national scrappage scheme to take illegal products off the roads.

The Group’s chair, Fabian Hamilton, said “sadly many of the problems we raised a year ago are still with us”.

Bicycle Association chair, Philip Darnton says he has been working on this since 2019 but admits not enough has changed in that time. He described the ‘silence’ of the government following the report’s publication. Darnton believes the demand for illegal products is extremely high now, and the Government needs to ‘make E-Bike Positive famous’ by sharing it on their websites.

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Steve Egdell, Chair of the Cycle to Work Alliance, said: “Cycle to Work providers have safeguards in place to ensure that e-bikes supplied through the Scheme are legal and meet the required safety standards.

“Cycle to Work Alliance members work with participating retailers and actively monitor bike shops to ensure that only appropriate products are made available through the Scheme.

“If a retailer were found to have supplied an illegal or ineligible e-bike through Cycle to Work, that would constitute a breach of provider rules. The relevant Scheme provider would investigate the circumstances with the retailer and take appropriate action in accordance with its terms and processes

“The Alliance is clear that illegal e-bikes and motorised vehicles should not be supplied through the Cycle to Work Scheme.

“If a customer nevertheless has concerns about the legality or safety of an e-bike obtained through Cycle to Work, they should contact their Scheme provider directly. Any reported case would be reviewed to establish the circumstances, including the product supplied, the retailer involved and whether the bike met the relevant requirements when it was supplied.”

A BHN Extras (Cyclescheme) spokesperson said: “We are aware of news stories surrounding Cycle To Work Schemes being misused to obtain bikes that the UK Government classifies as ‘motor vehicles’ and, therefore, need to be registered, insured and taxed. The rider also needs an appropriate driving licence and will have to wear an approved motorcycle safety helmet.

“Whilst it is not illegal for retailers to supply such motor vehicles, they are not eligible through scheme in accordance with the DfT’s Cycle to Work Scheme Implementation Guidance. As a recognised scheme provider, BHN Extras’ Cyclescheme requires e-bikes supplied through the scheme to comply with UK legal requirements for Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (‘EAPCs’), as detailed on the gov.uk website.

“At Cyclescheme, we’re committed to supporting safe, responsible e-bike provision. That means helping employees access reputable cycle retailers, choose compliant bikes and understand what to look for before they select cycles.

“In September 2025, Cyclescheme updated its terms for new retailers to tighten compliance and service requirements for every e-bike provided through Cyclescheme.

“In addition, Cyclescheme is an official supporter of E-Bike Positive, alongside other organisations, charities and businesses challenging misinformation and promoting safe, legal e-bike use.”