Police seize more than 50 illegally modified e-bikes in Birmingham city centre as owners faced fines and 'a walk home'

Police have seized more than 50 illegal e-bikes, which were being ridden in Birmingham city centre in the last year.

Since last summer, officers with West Midlands Police have been on patrol in Birmingham city centre, intercepting e-bikes and checking to see if they have been illegally modified to go faster than the law allows. 

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The force launched the anti e-bike operation in summer 2025 in response to concerns from pedestrians and businesses around the city centre area.

West Midlands Police said that people were worried that the bikes would be involved in serious collisions, while also posing a greater risk to vulnerable pedestrians and those who may be sight-impaired.

More than 50 illegal e-bikes have been seized since the operation was launched, with officers saying that the illegal riders were left with 'a walk home'.

Inspector Scott Taylor, who oversees the operation, said: "We've had an absolutely fantastic response to the operation. 

"We've had some great feedback from people like the Central Business Improvement District (BID), who tell us that they’ve seen a significant reduction in issues caused by the bikes.

"Riders are getting the message that if they bring illegally modified bikes into the city centre, they face losing them, as well as the prospect of penalty points and a fine.

"We’ll be continuing with the operation this year as we continue to make the city centre a safer place."

The force added that while the vehicles were sent away to be crushed, the riders were also 'dealt with' for traffic offences, which included handing out penalty points and fines. 

Louise Cannop, representing the Sight Loss Councils, who has been helping with the operation, said: "The pavements and pedestrian areas should be spaces that we can independently keep ourselves safe, but it got to a point in the city centre where that just wasn’t possible.

“There were so many illegal e-bikes that people just weren’t going out. They were staying at home, being isolated because they were having negative experiences, and that was having an impact on their confidence.

“Our volunteers have said they feel much more confident knowing that there are many fewer e-bikes on the street in the city centre.

“It has had a positive impact on the blind and partially sighted community in the city centre.

“They feel more comfortable accessing the outside world in Birmingham, knowing that the pavements are going to be safer than they were previously.