Some residents are urging Brent Council to carry out “targeted enforcement action”
A North London council is being urged to undertake a “period of targeted enforcement action” in order to tackle the “inconsiderate and dangerous” use of e-bikes, scooters and peddle bikes. Concerns have been raised about users riding at excessive speeds, on pavements and without the right safety equipment.
Residents in Alperton, Brent, have been growing increasingly frustrated about the dangerous riders, which they feel puts both pedestrians and other road users at risk. The local authority is being asked to crack down on those participating in vehicle-related anti-social behaviour.
Riders of both e-bikes and peddle bikes, as well as scooters, have been seen riding at speeds, without lights or helmets, both on and off pavements, and residents want Brent Council to carry out greater enforcement, including confiscating illegal bikes and scooters “to set an example” to other users.
Ahead of a Full Council meeting next week (September 14), resident Stephen Thomas wants the council to outline what it is going to do to address the “inconsiderate and dangerous use” of these types of vehicles, claiming users are often seen “riding at great speed and with no helmets or lights, both on and off the pavements and with other riders as passengers”.
Mr Thomas described the use of bikes and scooters in this way as “a significant safety concern” for other road users and pedestrians, and is urging the council to consider undertaking “a period of targeted enforcement action” against offenders.
Alperton representative, Cllr Anton Georgiou, said: “Residents in Alperton have been raising serious concerns about dangerous driving and large-scale motorbike meets for far too long. I’ve repeatedly raised these issues with Brent Council and the police, and secured support from Lib Dems at City Hall to put direct pressure on the Mayor of London and the Met to take action.”
Brent Council said it “recognises residents’ concerns” regarding the dangerous use of bikes and scooters in Alperton and they will be referred to the next Brent Joint Action Group – a multi-agency forum chaired by the local Neighbourhood Police Inspector.
It claims that, through this partnership approach, it will “seek to develop targeted enforcement activity” focused on breaches of the borough’s Nuisance Vehicles Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). The local authority also pointed to its Leader, Cllr Muhammed Butt, having written to all major food delivery platforms operating in Brent calling for the companies to “establish and enforce clear rider codes of conduct aligned with the Highway Code”.
However, it also pointed to difficulties undertaking enforcement action in some cases, including the use of cloned registration plates that make it harder to identify and prosecute offences. The council also stated that any confiscation of vehicles would have been done by the Metropolitan Police.
Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Health, Cllr Liz Dixon, said: “[…] the council has commenced a review of the borough’s Nuisance Vehicle PSPO. This forms part of a medium to long-term programme of work to assess the effectiveness of the current arrangements, identify opportunities to strengthen enforcement and consider whether additional measures may be required to respond to emerging issues, including the increasing use of e bikes and scooters.
“The review is being undertaken against a backdrop of reduced police resources and the disbandment of the Roads and Transport Policing Command’s Roads and Transport Enforcement Team. This has affected enforcement capacity such as challenges relating to cloned registration plates, which can make the identification and prosecution of vehicle-related offences more difficult.
“Whilst powers to seize illegal e-bikes, scooters and vehicles primarily rest with the Metropolitan Police Service, the council will continue to work closely with police colleagues and other partners to identify enforcement opportunities, support targeted operations and improve safety for residents and visitors. Through both immediate partnership activity and the longer-term review of the PSPO framework, the council remains committed to addressing dangerous and anti-social vehicle use across Alperton and the wider borough.”
Cllr Georgiou added: “The council referring this to another meeting is welcome, but residents need more than another discussion or review, they need enforcement on the ground. The Council, Mayor and police must stop working in silos and work together to tackle this issue effectively. I’ll continue holding all those responsible to account and pushing for the targeted enforcement residents deserve.”
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