The committee aims to establish the scale and nature of the issue and explore the current legal and policy landscape and will focus on causes, impact, enforcement and prevention.
Police Scotland have reported seizing an increasing number of e-scooters and e-bikes which are being illegally used on roads in recent years and have said that communities continue to complain about antisocial behaviour relating to the issue.
It comes after Police Scotland said on Friday that they had seized 142 e-bikes and e-scooters during a week of action which began on Monday October 19, all of which will be destroyed.
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During its investigation, the Committee plans to hear from frontline workers, communities and people with lived experience.
Mr Linden said: “Crime and antisocial behaviour related to e-bikes and e-scooters is negatively impacting communities right across Scotland, and concerns have been raised that existing measures may not be sufficient to address it.
“Our committee is keen to learn about the causes and impacts of antisocial and criminal behaviour associated with e-bikes and e-scooters and what the Scottish Government is doing about these issues, including its engagement with the UK Government.
“We want to find out if authorities have sufficient powers to tackle these behaviours and if not, what must be done to improve enforcement and help prevent this issue from continuing to blight Scotland’s communities.”
The inquiry aims to identify what powers police and authorities currently have, and to scrutinise the Scottish Government’s approach to tackling this issue, including its engagement with the UK Government on reserved matters.
Police Scotland said that e-bikes can legally be used on public roads if they meet specific requirements, including that the motor should not be able to propel the bike when it is travelling at more than 15.5mph and must have a maximum power output of 250 watts.
Vehicles that exceed these limits are considered motor vehicles and are subject to the Road Traffic Act, meaning the rider must hold a full UK driving licence, wear an approved helmet and have insurance.
Police warned that those failing to comply with the legal requirements could face enforcement action under the Road Traffic Act.
Officers highlighted that e-scooters are not permitted on public roads, pavements or other public spaces, as they do not meet the necessary legal standards.
Their use is only legal on private land with the landowner’s consent.
Community safety minister Kirsten Oswald said: “We want to increase the powers police have to seize and retain e-bikes and e-scooters that are being used for antisocial or criminal behaviour.
“It is illegal to use a privately owned e-scooter on public roads or pavements in Scotland, and e-bikes modified beyond the legal limit can be seized by police.
“The law on road traffic, and the rules on what can be imported and sold in this country, sit with Westminster.
“We’ve written to the UK Government to urge it to take further action on licensing off-road vehicles, to help Police Scotland track down and detain the people breaking the law, and the vehicles they are using.”
A UK Government spokesperson said: “Privately owned e-scooters remain illegal on roads, pavements and other public spaces, and we’re bringing forward new laws to make their use safe.
“Illegal e-bikes that can reach dangerous speeds also have no place on our roads and pavements.”
Source: www.heraldscotland.com
