Labour has confirmed new police powers which will allow them to seize vehicles used anti-socially, including electric bikes and scooters, without first issuing a warning to offenders.
It comes after Lord Hanson of Flint, the Home Office Minister, announced the measures in the House of Lords this week, with Britons warned of tougher enforcement measures.
The changes will be introduced through amendments to section 59 of the Police Reform Act, which is currently being passed through Parliament as part of the Crime and Policing Bill.
The Government revealed that it is also consulting on proposals to allow police to dispose of seized vehicles more quickly within 48 hours.
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Under new police powers, cyclists and e-bike users can face criminal action for breaking traffic rules
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As part of the changes, four new criminal offences are being introduced, which include causing death by dangerous cycling, causing serious injury by dangerous cycling, causing death by careless or inconsiderate cycling, and causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate cycling.
"These actions, I believe, will send a clear message that anti-social use of any vehicle will not be tolerated," Hanson told peers.
Lord Hogan-Howe challenged the Government to take stronger action, praising the City of London police's small team of 10 officers who seized 325 e-cycles in 2024.
He warned that e-bikes not conforming to regulations are classified as motor vehicles by courts, with offenders receiving six points on their licence for driving without insurance.
The Minister revealed that four new criminal offences will be introduced in the upcoming Policing Bill
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"Every day we see cyclists and e-bikes, particularly those travelling 30 to 40 miles an hour on our streets, putting our pedestrians at risk. And it seems our forces are doing nothing about it, and I challenge the Government to do more," Hogan-Howe said.
Hanson acknowledged the City of London police's success, noting that while they cover a small geographical area, their seizure figures demonstrate effective enforcement action.
The Home Office Minister confirmed the new offences would carry significant penalties, including potential custodial sentences. He emphasised that the legislation would ensure "there are further measures in place for police to enforce" whilst acknowledging enforcement challenges.
"There's no point in passing legislation if the police don't enforce it. And I know from my visual view around London every day that people are cycling dangerously, cycling in a way of potentially causing injury," the Minister said.
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The new offences will mean that dangerous behaviour such as cycling through red lights or across zebra crossings "could result in imprisonment", Hanson warned.
Hanson stressed that "people need to understand that drivers do, pedestrians do and dare I say, cyclists need to" comprehend the serious consequences of their actions.
However, Viscount Hailsham identified delivery drivers as "one of the greatest hazards", particularly those who have disengaged speed limiters on their e-bikes. He urged police to focus enforcement efforts on these easily recognisable offenders.
Hanson agreed that delivery drivers posed "a potential area of hazard" and confirmed the new legislation would apply to them. He called on companies employing delivery drivers to take action when their workers breach regulations.
E-bikes and e-scooters will face tougher traffic rules under the new measures
PAAnother peer pressed the Minister to "hold the corporate interest to account", arguing that "big tech companies" should face consequences if they allow illegal bikes to be used for deliveries.
The Minister acknowledged corporate responsibility, stating that companies should treat e-bike violations as seriously as they would antisocial behaviour involving cars or vans. Baroness Brennan of Canton highlighted that cycling on pavements is already illegal, but questioned whether police would enforce new laws when current ones go unenforced.
Hanson responded that the Government's planned recruitment of 13,000 additional neighbourhood police officers would help support enforcement efforts. He acknowledged that police "have many calls on their time" and must witness offences to take action.
He emphasised that cyclists must understand the consequences of traffic violations, including riding on pavements or running red lights.
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