The seizures come as council chiefs look to ban e-bikes on pedestrianised areas of Leeds City Centre.

Police seizures of e-bikes soared by 83 per cent in a year, an investigation has found, as forces crack down on dangerous models.

Some 7,049 of the machines were confiscated across the UK in the 12 months to May 19, according to data obtained by the Press Association under freedom-of-information laws.

That is compared with 3,858 during the previous year.

West Yorkshire Police seized 26 machines in 2024/25 and 20 in 2025/26.

Earlier this year the force’s Chief Constable has suggested that dangerous use of e bikes in public spaces is linked to council cuts.

Chief Constable Sir John Robins was responding to concerns raised by a West Yorkshire councillor about the use of illegal e bikes in parks and green spaces across the region.

He argued that the issue was one that could have been dealt with by park wardens and youth workers – had councils in West Yorkshire still properly funded such services.

Under UK law, legal e-bikes are known as electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs) and must meet certain safety regulations such as their electric motor having a maximum power output of 250 watts and cutting out when a speed of 15.5mph is reached.

Many illegal e-bikes confiscated by police have been modified to travel much faster, with some exceeding 70mph.

Non-compliant machines are effectively electric mopeds or motorbikes, which must be registered, taxed and insured.

Meanwhile, shoppers in Leeds welcomed plans to ban “scary” bicycles and e-bikes from riding on pedestrianised areas of the city centre.

The scheme to restrict the use of bikes and e-bikes along Briggate and other adjoining streets has received significant public support and is now due to move to the next phase.

Pedestrian safety charity Living Streets warned “the rise in e-bike use must not come at the expense of people walking” while the Royal National Institute of Blind People said e-bikes are “heavy, fast-moving, silent vehicles” that present a danger when “ridden carelessly”.

A Government spokeswoman said: “Illegal e-bikes that can reach dangerous speeds have no place on our roads and pavements, and the rise in seizures shows the scale of the problem police are dealing with.

“That’s why we have strengthened police powers, changing the law so that officers no longer need to issue a warning before seizing these vehicles where they are used anti-socially.”

These tougher powers came into force on June 29 under the Crime and Policing Act 2026.