Reckless riding, dirt bikes, illegal e-bikes, and the law

dailyrecord.co.uk:

We all know who we're talking about here. It's not the cyclists, commuters and weekend pootlers who are generally responsible and considerate with speed, clothing, lights and helmets.The concern is with those who ride recklessly, putting themselves and others at risk by speeding through streets and public spaces on off-road bikes, performing stunts in traffic, and disregarding safety.There's also the issue of illegal or modified e-bikes, where riders bypass speed and power limits, ignore traffic laws, and create hazards for pedestrians and other road users.This kind of behaviour affects everyone - drivers, homeowners, businesses, and public authorities - posing safety risks and raising concerns about accountability and enforcement. Why does it feel like it's getting worse?

Catriona Headley, Partner at Digby Brown, is here to discuss... Maybe it's social media. Maybe it's the news. But last year, there were numerous reports of incidents involving these bikes - like in August 2024 a Fife councillor was assaulted by a dirt bike rider, and even on Christmas Day, a quad biker tore through the Meadows in Edinburgh.Data from Police Scotland shows that officers seized 281 e-bikes and electric scooters after being used illegally on public roads between January and September 2024.But very little information exists about the number of people who've actually been prosecuted for using dirt bikes or e-bikes illegally. So what does the law say? 'Off-road bikes', which can include quad bikes and motorbikes commonly known as 'dirt bikes', are 'mechanically propelled vehicles' and need to be registered, insured and taxed like any other motor vehicle.