Illegal off-road bike activity across Scotland

Anti-social off-road bike use is more than just a nuisance, it’s a danger to the rider and the public.

There have been rising concerns and reports from communities across Scotland over the illegal use of off-road bikes and other mechanically propelled bikes including mopeds, e-bikes and e-scooters.

There have been incidents of off-road bikes being ridden illegally on roads, in parks, on pavements and in other public spaces, resulting in injuries to both riders and members of the public. There has also been damage to parks, fields, green spaces and private property.

So we’ve launched a campaign requesting information, given to us anonymously, on those responsible for riding off-road bikes illegally, putting the public and themselves in danger and causing criminal damage.

Victims and Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown, left, with Angela Parker, National Manager Crimestoppers Scotland, pictured at the campaign launch

What are the consequences?

Complaints often centre around off-road bikes becoming a threat to the public as the bikes are ridden recklessly in residential areas, town centres, on pavements and in green spaces – with no concern from the riders for their own safety or that of the public.

Crimestoppers spoke to people in Scotland who have been directly affected by dangerous and illegal use of off-road bikes:

A farmer in Dumfries told us his fields had been ripped up overnight, costing thousands in repairs and increased security costs.
An elderly lady in Edinburgh almost stepped in front of a bus to prevent a bike on the pavement from crashing into her.
In February, Whinhill Golf Club in Greenock experienced extensive damage to their greens and fairways.

Do you have information about these bikes and those people using them? You can tell us what you know, 100% anonymously - guaranteed. Call free on 0800 555 111 or fill in our quick and easy online form, here on our website:

Give information anonymously

What sort of information is useful?

Help keep your community safe and tell us what you know about bikes being used illegally:

The exact location, date and time the bike/s were seen
Anything distinctive - colour, make, did the bike have a number plate?
Where are they stored?
Who’s riding them illegally, what were they wearing?
Who’s causing criminal damage?
Who’s putting the public and themselves in danger?

Off-road bikes and the law

Off-road vehicles include moto-cross, trial and endurance bikes, mini motos, quad bikes and some other mechanically propelled bikes.

Off-road bikes are specially designed for off-road use only, and NOT for road use. They must comply with Construction and Use regulations 1986, and be built to a specific standard in order to be ridden on a public road.

If the bike is NOT built to this specific standard, you can only ride an off-road bike legally if it is on private land and you have the land owner’s permission, and ride with due care and attention.

Land owned by the local council is not classed as private land. Council land includes beaches, promenades, car parks, playgrounds and parks.

Riders not complying with the above face having bikes seized and could be banned from driving, fined, or sent to prison.

Find out more:

Mopeds

You need to be 16 or over to ride a moped. There are different ways to get a moped or motorcycle licence, depending on your age, what type of licence you already have, and what training you’ve done.

Further guidance can be found on the government’s website: How to get a motorcycle/moped licence.

Quad bikes

Most quad bikes do not meet road safety standards and therefore cannot be used on the road.

They need to be registered, taxed and have an MOT (if needed) to be used on the road, and the rider needs to check with the manufacturer if their quad bike has been approved for road use.

More information can be found on the government’s website: Quad Bikes: the rules.

E-bikes

These electric bikes are known as ‘electrically assisted pedal cycles’ (EAPCs).

You can ride an electric bike if you’re 14 or over, as long as it meets certain requirements.

If a bike meets EAPC requirements, it’s classed as a normal pedal bike. This means you can ride it on cycle paths and anywhere else pedal bikes are allowed. Meeting these requirements also means you do not need a licence to ride one and it does not need to be registered, taxed or insured.

More information can be found on the government’s website: Electric bikes: licensing, tax and insurance.

E-scooters

Electric scooters can only be used on private land with the landowner’s permission. It is illegal to use them on public roads, on pavements, in cycle lanes and in pedestrian-only areas.

Got information about illegal off-road bike activity?

Tell us what you know - any time. Call 0800 555 111, or fill in our online form: