Arrests made as part of efforts to tackle illegal e-bike use in Cheltenham

Police have arrested two teenage boys as part of efforts to tackle the illegal use of e-bikes and e-scooters in Cheltenham.

Two boys from the town and aged 14 and 15 were arrested on suspicion of the theft of a motorcycle on Sunday 31 August after multiple reports were received of two boys dangerously riding on a suspected stolen motorcycle. They were later released from custody pending further enquiries.

Officers from the Cheltenham Local Policing Area and Specialist Operations teams are continuing to take part in activity aimed at targeting the amount of illegal e-bikes and e-scooters being ridden in the town.

In particular there has been a recent rise in people riding privately owned e-bikes and e-scooters on roads, pavements and across open spaces in The Moors area.

Part of the activity includes days of action over the coming weeks which will see officers working alongside the Drone Unit to identify those who are taking part in illegal activity so that their e-bike or e-scooter can be seized.

Many of the e-bikes and e-scooters that we’re seeing are not legal as they cannot be insured or registered for road use. Therefore anyone using one is committing insurance and driving licence offences.

Electric bikes should not exceed 250 watts and the maximum speed which the motor can legally assist the bike whilst pedalling must not exceed 15.5mph or 24.94 km/h. 

In addition, the electric motor should not assist the bike to exceed 3.7mph or 5.95km when unassisted (e.g. the rider is not pedalling). 

Anyone breaking the law risks a £300 fixed penalty notice, six points on a driving licence, and your illegal electric bike or scooter being seized and destroyed.

More information on the laws and regulations around e-bikes and e-scooters can be found here: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/news/gloucestershire/2025/august/warning-that-police-in-cheltenham-will-seize-illegal-e-bikes-and-e-scooters/ 

Inspector Steve Benbow from the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “My team are encouraging members of the public to let us know if they have any information about stolen e-bikes and e-scooters or those being ridden anti-socially.

“The more information and intelligence we have the better we can understand the issues within our communities and the more effectively we can tackle them.”

Information can be submitted by completing the following online form: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/soh/seen-or-heard/ 

Alternatively you can report information anonymously through the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting their website: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously