Operation Gears sees hundreds of illegal e-bikes and vehicles taken off Merseyside’s roads

Merseyside Police’s dedicated crackdown on criminality involving illegal e-bikes, e-scooters and scrambler bikes has reached a significant milestone, with Operation Gears recording its highest monthly seizure total to date.

In July 2025 alone, officers seized 137 illegal two-wheeled vehicles, bringing the total number of seizures this year to 626. These vehicles are increasingly linked to serious criminal activity, including violence, robberies, and serious organised crime (SOC) offences.

The term ‘e-bike’ is a generic label for all two-wheeled electric vehicles. Some e-bikes are legal to use on roads and in public spaces, provided they conform to Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC) regulations. 

If an e-bike does not meet the regulations, it is classed as an electric moped or electric motorcycle and must comply with relevant laws, including registration, insurance, helmet use, and appropriate licensing. 

Among the recent seizures was an off-road electric motorcycle, which was found to reach speeds of up to 88mph during testing. During a proactive patrol in Kensington, officers seized the bike for having no insurance. Enquiries are ongoing to trace the rider.

Under UK law, for an electric bike to be classified as an EAPC (Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle), it must have a motor limited to 250 watts and assist only while pedalling, cutting out at 15.5mph.

Launched in early July, Operation Gears is a force-wide initiative targeting the unlawful use of two-wheeled vehicles that pose a danger to communities and are frequently used to facilitate crime. The operation has seen proactive patrols, intelligence-led interventions, and community engagement across Merseyside.

Officers have made several key arrests and seizures during warrants, patrols and targeted operations in the last few weeks alone:

• Wednesday 6 August: Officers tracked a stolen e-bike using an electronic tracker to a garden on Haigh Street, Everton, where four suspected stolen electric bikes were recovered. The bike had been reported stolen from outside a supermarket on Everton Brow. Enquiries are ongoing to identify a suspect, and the bikes are undergoing forensic examination.
  
  
• Saturday 2 August: Following the arrest of a 22-year-old man for drug offences, officers searched a storage unit in Moreton, Wirral, discovering three large scrambler bikes and one Sur-Ron electric bike, all suspected to be stolen. The man was further arrested on suspicion of theft.

• Saturday 2 August: During a day of action in Liverpool, officers seized 20 vehicles, including an illegally modified e-bike, e-scooter and electric motorcycle. Several arrests were made for offences including driving without due care and attention, speeding, no tax, and driving without insurance.

Alongside enforcement efforts, officers have hosted free bike marking events across Merseyside, checking 577 electric and pedal bikes during patrols to identify stolen property. In addition, 368 bikes were successfully registered on the national bike database. Bike marking is a proven deterrent to theft, making bikes traceable and significantly harder to sell on.

T/Inspector James May, Roads Policing, said: “In just one month, Operation Gears has made a real impact on the streets of Merseyside. The record number of seizures shows how committed we are to tackling this issue head-on.

“We know that illegal e-bikes and e-scooters are increasingly being used in serious offences, including violence and organised crime. In many cases, when seizing these vehicles, we have also made arrests for other serious crimes such as drug supply and weapons possession. Our message is clear: if you’re using these vehicles to commit crime, we will find you and take action.

“We’re also seeing how unsafe some of these vehicles can be when used illegally on public roads. One recent seizure involved an off-road electric bike capable of reaching speeds of up to 88mph. A vehicle like that, when ridden recklessly on our roads, could have seriously injured or even killed someone. We urge anyone using or considering purchasing an electric bike to familiarise themselves with the law and ensure their vehicle is road legal.”

How to keep you and your e-bike safe: 

• Find and keep a record of the frame number. This usually stamped into the frame.  This is an important number should your e-bike be stolen. 

• Use a high-quality lock and secure your bike when not in use. 

• Lock your bike at recognised secure cycle parking. It should be well lit and covered by CCTV. 

• Take the same care to lock your bike securely at home as you would on the street. 

• Register your bike with a security marking scheme such as Bike Register and consider fitting a GPS tracking device. 

• Attend a free bike marking event where officers will mark your bike for free. Visit your local policing Facebook page for upcoming event details.  

• At night display lights to the front and rear so that other road users can see you. 

• Wear light clothes or a florescent vest and it’s always advisable to wear a safety helmet. 

Operation Gears coincides with the force’s Safer Streets Summer campaign, which will see enhanced uniformed patrols and targeted operations in town centres aimed at reducing antisocial behaviour and criminal activity, including shoplifting, violence, and knife crime. 

If you see any illegal use of e-bikes, e-scooters, or electric motorcycles, please report it to us as soon as possible. We’re committed to working with you to make your community safer - Operation Gears | Merseyside Police