Think before buying off-road motorbikes or e-scooters this Christmas

Dear resident

We’re joining partners in urging parents to think carefully before buying off-road motorbikes or e-scooters as Christmas presents this year – due to the law around their use. 

Buying such presents could prove to be an expensive mistake as off-road vehicles - which also include quad bikes and similar machines - are classed as motor vehicles. 

Such vehicles need to meet specific criteria to be legally ridden on public highways and if they don’t meet this criteria they are likely to be seized and the rider prosecuted. 

Riders must also have the landowner’s permission to use them on private land but this could also lead to prosecution if they are ridden dangerously or carelessly. 

Meanwhile, privately owned e-scooters are illegal to use on public roads, pavements and cycle lanes and using one in a public area could lead to it being seized. 

The illegal riding of off-road bikes, electric bikes, quad bikes and e-scooters is an issue across the Walsall borough. 

Through Op Adhesion we carry out joint operations with our partners including Walsall Council to tackle the issue.

This includes using our special off-road bike team to seize bikes and make arrests as well as receiving help from the fixed wing plane based at the National Police Air Service. 

Sergeant David Hadley, from our Problem Solving and Priorities Team, based at Walsall, said: “The anti-social use of off-road vehicles and e-scooters is not only dangerous but also illegal, and the risks to members of the public are very real. 

“Parents may think they are giving their children a fun gift at Christmas but in reality they could be exposing them to serious harm and putting themselves at risk of prosecution. So please think twice before buying these vehicles as Christmas presents.”

Councillor Adam Hicken said, “We understand the excitement of buying a special Christmas gift, but parents need to be fully aware of the legal and safety implications of off-road bikes and e-scooters. When used illegally or irresponsibly, these vehicles put riders and the wider public at serious risk and cause significant distress in our communities.  

“We’ve already had deaths and serious injuries in our area due to people riding off road bikes recklessly. We will support police to track down and deal with offenders”. 

 You can report incidents of illegal bikes by calling 101. You can also report it anonymously on 0800 555111.

 You can also contact Walsall Community Protection Team  at communityprotection@walsall.gov.uk or telephone 01922 653060.