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I wanted to provide you with an update regarding Nuisance motorbikes / Scooters, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey. We know that bikes – including electric motorbikes and off-road bikes – being ridden illegally is a concern to many people in South Wales.
Under Operation Grebe, we are stepping up our efforts to tackle these problems and ensure our streets and roads are safer for everyone.
Report illegal bikes
We need information about bikes being ridden illegally, bikes that are not road legal, and bikes involved in criminality such as drug dealing. Riding bikes illegally puts members of the public and riders themselves in danger, can be used to commit crime, can cause criminal damage, and can be seen as antisocial behaviour.
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 or bikes were seen
Anything distinctive – colour, make, whether the bike or bikes had a number plate
Where are they stored?
Who’s riding them illegally, and what were they wearing?
Who’s causing criminal damage?
Who’s putting the public and themselves in danger?
Which electric bikes are legal?
Only bikes which fall within the definition of an electrically assisted pedal cycle (EAPC) can be ridden and treated the same as a conventional pedal cycle, provided the user is aged 14 or over. Conventional use includes riding on the road and riding on cycle paths.
If your bike is not an EAPC, it is considered a motorcycle or moped.
Motorcycles and mopeds require:
CBT Licence: Complete Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) unless you already hold a full motorcycle licence. This ensures you have the skills and knowledge to ride safely on public roads. Get a valid driving licence to ride one.
You must wear a motorcycle helmet that meets British safety standards.
DVLA Registration: Your bike must be registered with the DVLA. You will need proof of purchase, bike specifications, and payment of the registration fee. This step is crucial to make your motorcycle / moped legal on UK roads.
Number plate: Once registered, a UK number plate is mandatory.
Insurance: All road vehicles must have insurance. Firms offering insurance for such bikes are listed online.
Vehicle tax: While electric bikes are generally exempt from paying vehicle tax, registration is still required to comply with UK law.
MOT: After three years, your bike will need an MOT, just like any other road vehicle. This ensures your bike remains roadworthy and safe for all riders.
Twist-and-Go bikes
If you have a bike which provides electrical assistance without use of the pedals, usually called ‘Twist and Go’, you should ensure that your bike meets the requirements of the EAPC Regulations and is “type approved” at the manufacturing stage. If it is not, and you have not sought Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (MSVA), this bike cannot be classed as an EAPC and using it on the road is illegal.
 Tackling antisocial behaviour can be a complex issue, and one which requires input and action from more than just the police. February 2025 saw the publication of the Ministry of Justice Crime and Policing Bill: Antisocial behaviour (ASB) factsheet. This outlined a number of new measures including making powers to seize vehicles under section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 easier to use, allowing the police to react robustly and immediately to the anti-social use of motor vehicles. If you witness a motor vehicle or mechanically propelled vehicle being driven/ridden in an anti-social manner in a public place or on a public road, or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at www.southwalespolice.police.uk, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101. Get Involved Please consider getting involved by registering for these messages, this will enable you to contribute to the local priority survey. We may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on. Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 
Please click here to complete the survey
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