Teddington Nub News reported (24/7/2026) concerns about the illegal use of e-bikes across the borough at the last Teddington and Hampton Wick Police Liason Group meeting.

This issue has been raised regularly by EastSheenMatters over the last 18 months and over the last year at East Sheen Police Liaison Group and Mortlake and Barnes Police Liaison Group with no successful outcome. The standard response is lack of resource or the difficulty of intervention.

Cllr Roberts, Leader of Richmond Council is now quoted as saying: “I am happy to raise this issue with the Metropolitan Police and seek assurance that enforcement activity is consistent across London and appropriately resourced…………. there are increasing concerns about illegally modified e-bikes, excessive speed, riding on pavements and the use of e-bikes in connection with anti-social behaviour and acquisitive crime.”

“The legal position on enforcement sits with the Police as cycling on the footway (pavement) is an offence under Section 72 of the Highway Act 1835, unless cycling is specifically permitted. This applies equally to electrically assisted bicycles.

“I therefore agree that this issue should continue to receive attention at the most senior level and I am happy to raise residents’ concerns with the Borough Commander Mr Daniel Knowles where I will seek assurance that enforcement activity is applied consistently across the borough and that local concerns raised through Police Liaison Groups are reflected in operational policing activity.

About time too one might think but will anything actually be done?

“In terms of the boroughwide hire e-bike scheme, the Council’s new contract with Forest places obligations on the operator to address non-compliance and complaints promptly, including through the issue of warnings and penalties for misuse as well as ensuring the Council has access to real-time monitoring information.”

Can we be told how that will work in practice so that the public can report non-compliance, make complaints and learn how to identify wrongdoers?