London’s Metropolitan Police have reached a new milestone in their crackdown on unregulated micromobility, officially seizing more illegal e-bikes and e-scooters in the first half of 2026 than in the entire previous year. The surge in confiscations comes amid a sustained enforcement campaign designed to remove dangerous, illegally modified vehicles from the city's streets.
Targeting Illegal Modifications
The operation focuses primarily on e-bikes that have been altered to exceed legal speed limits or equipped with high-powered motors that bypass standard safety regulations. These modified vehicles often bridge the gap between bicycles and mopeds but lack the necessary registration, insurance, and safety certifications required for motor vehicles.
Public Safety and Enforcement
Authorities have signaled that the aggressive pace of these seizures will continue throughout the year. The Metropolitan Police noted that the record-breaking numbers reflect both an increase in the prevalence of these vehicles and more effective detection methods by officers on the ground. The campaign aims to improve road safety for pedestrians and law-abiding cyclists alike.
