Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government is taking steps to promote accredited e-bike compliance and inspection training to police forces nationally; and what guidance is being issued to ensure officers can accurately distinguish between road-legal Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles and illegal e-bikes to prevent wrongful seizures.

The training of police officers is an operational matter for Chief Constables and police forces. Police forces are responsible for ensuring that officers have the skills and knowledge necessary to enforce the law effectively and proportionately. This includes ensuring officers understand the distinction between road-legal Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles and illegal e-bikes. Decisions on whether a vehicle meets the legal requirements to qualify as an Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle and vehicle seizure are operational matters for the police to determine in accordance with the relevant legislation and policing guidance.

The Home Office works closely with policing partners, including the National Police Chiefs' Council, on issues relating to the enforcement of road traffic and anti-social behaviour legislation. Discussions with policing partners cover a range of issues associated with the unlawful use of vehicles, including illegally modified e-bikes and off-road vehicles. Decisions on any future regulatory measures relating to the sale of such vehicles are primarily matters for the Department for Business and Trade.