Key Points
- Enforcement Appeal: There is an appeal from residents of Alperton, North London, to the Brent Council to engage in a period of focused enforcement against anti-social e-bike, peddle bike, and e-scooter riders.
- Safety Issues: Safety issues relate to riding at excessive speed, using footpaths, and not having the necessary safety equipment, including helmets and lights.
- Seizure of Vehicles: Locals want officials to seize any e-bikes and e-scooters which are being used illegally to create a strong deterrent.
- Joint Initiative: Brent Council said that the issue will be referred to the Brent Joint Action Group to look at targeted action through the borough’s Nuisance Vehicles Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).
- Corporate Duty: The Council Leader, Councillor Muhammed Butt, has written to major food delivery firms asking them to enforce their rider conduct codes according to the Highway Code.
- Seizure Power: The Cabinet Member Councillor Liz Dixon said that the main power to seize vehicles lies with the Metropolitan Police Service, but the council is carrying out its review on enforcement options.
Alperton (North London News) September 10, 2026 — Local authority leaders at Brent Council are facing mounting pressure from residents to launch targeted enforcement action against individuals operating e-bikes, e-scooters, and traditional pedal cycles in an “inconsiderate and dangerous” manner.
As reported by Grant Williams of MyLondon, local resident Stephen Thomas has raised severe safety concerns ahead of an upcoming Full Council meeting. Mr Thomas highlighted that riders are routinely spotted travelling at excessive speeds without wearing helmets or utilizing lights, frequently using pedestrian footpaths and creating serious hazards for both walkers and vehicle drivers. Describing the current situation as “a significant safety concern,” he urged the local authority to initiate a period of targeted enforcement action, including the direct confiscation of illegal bikes and e-scooters to set a firm example.
These calls reflect wider community frustration within the Alperton ward. As reported by Grant Williams of MyLondon, Liberal Democrat Councillor Anton Georgiou, who represents Alperton, stated that residents have been raising alarms regarding dangerous riding and large-scale vehicle gatherings for a prolonged period. Councillor Georgiou confirmed he has raised the issue repeatedly with Brent Council and the Metropolitan Police, whilst securing support from London Assembly Liberal Democrats to put direct pressure on the Mayor of London and Metropolitan Police leadership. Responding to recent council steps, Councillor Georgiou remarked that while referring the issue to multi-agency forums is welcomed, local people require direct physical enforcement on the ground rather than further administrative reviews.
In response to the community calls, Brent Council stated it recognises the concerns of Alperton residents. The local authority confirmed the matter will be formally referred to the upcoming Brent Joint Action Group, a multi-agency panel chaired by the local Neighbourhood Police Inspector. Through this initiative, the council intends to develop enforcement activity targeting breaches of the borough’s existing Nuisance Vehicles Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).
Furthermore, as noted by Grant Williams of MyLondon, Council Leader Councillor Muhammed Butt has issued formal correspondence to all major commercial food delivery platforms operating within Brent. Councillor Butt called upon these delivery firms to establish and rigorously enforce clear rider codes of conduct that directly mirror the requirements of the Highway Code.
Providing further regulatory detail, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Health, Councillor Liz Dixon, stated that Brent Council has initiated a broader review of the Nuisance Vehicle PSPO. Councillor Dixon explained that this review forms part of a medium to long-term work program assessing existing enforcement capabilities and evaluating additional measures required to address emerging vehicle trends, notably e-bikes and e-scooters. Councillor Dixon clarified that the statutory powers to seize illegal e-bikes and e-scooters primarily reside with the Metropolitan Police Service, but underscored that the council will continue collaborating closely with police units to support targeted operations and improve public safety across Alperton and the wider borough.
Why Have Anti-Social Riding Concerns Escalated in Alperton?
The escalation in public concern across Alperton follows months of community complaints regarding two distinct issues: individual dangerous riding on pavements and broader anti-social vehicle gatherings. Residents have increasingly expressed frustration over high-powered e-bikes and modified scooters navigating footpaths at speeds far exceeding safe pedestrian thresholds.
The risk to vulnerable residents, including elderly pedestrians, children, and those with mobility limitations, has transformed street safety into a primary local campaign issue. Additionally, the prevalence of gig-economy delivery riders operating on tight timed deadlines has intensified scrutiny regarding commercial operator accountability across North London borough streets.
How Are Local Authorities and Police Structuring Their Regulatory Frameworks?
The legal framework surrounding micromobility in London remains divided between local municipal powers and central police authority. Under current UK legislation, privately owned e-scooters remain illegal to ride on public roads and pavements, while high-powered electric bikes exceeding standard Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC) thresholds are classified as motor vehicles.
Brent Council relies primarily on Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) to penalise vehicle-based anti-social behaviour. However, because actual powers of physical confiscation and seizure of illegal road vehicles rest predominantly with the Metropolitan Police Service under the Road Traffic Act, successful operations require joint multi-agency execution via forums like the Brent Joint Action Group.
Background of the Development
The current enforcement debate in Brent follows a multi-year effort by the local authority to manage active travel and micromobility hazards across the borough. Over recent years, Brent Council has repeatedly challenged dockless rental operators over pavement clutter and abandoned e-bikes blocking public footways. In late 2024, the council threatened an outright ban on certain dockless operators unless strict measures—including managed parking bays, reduced fleet sizes, and faster removal turnarounds—were implemented.
While dockless rental frameworks have since seen increased regulation through operational agreements, public concern has pivoted sharply toward non-compliant privately owned e-scooters, modified high-speed e-bikes, and commercial delivery riders operating dangerously in shared pedestrian zones. The current move toward reviewing the borough’s Nuisance Vehicle PSPO represents the latest evolution in local government efforts to update legacy regulations to cover rapidly advancing micromobility technologies.
Predictions: Impact on the Local Community and Road Users
Should Brent Council and the Metropolitan Police successfully launch targeted enforcement actions and update the Nuisance Vehicle PSPO, several distinct outcomes are anticipated for local stakeholders:
- Pedestrians and Vulnerable Road Users: Residents in Alperton, particularly the elderly and parents with young children, will likely experience improved pedestrian safety and reduced risk of footway collisions. Visible police seizures of non-compliant vehicles would establish an immediate deterrence against sidewalk riding.
- Delivery Platforms and Logistics Operators: Commercial delivery companies operating within Brent will face heightened accountability. If platforms enforce strict Highway Code compliance as requested by council leadership, riders may face internal platform suspensions alongside council or police fines for dangerous driving.
- E-Bike and Scooter Owners: Legitimate commuters using legal bicycles and EAPCs will benefit from clearer definitions and safer cycling infrastructure, whereas operators of illegally modified high-speed e-bikes or private e-scooters face an elevated risk of vehicle seizure, financial penalties, and potential prosecution under traffic law.
