BRADFORD city centre residents have said they are "frightened" of being knocked down by illegal e-bikes - claiming there has been an "escalation" in riding in pedestrian zones.
Their concerns come after figures revealed West Yorkshire Police seized fewer over the past year despite a sharp rise in enforcement nationally.
The issue was raised with Prime Minister Andy Burnham, when the Telegraph & Argus quizzed him during a trip to Bradford on Thursday.
Prime Minster asked about e-bikes
When asked what more could be done to tackle anti-social behaviour involving riders wearing balaclavas, he said: “Looking at the figures, it does look like there are some localised problems.
“Neighbourhood crime overall is down across the country, but also here in most parts of West Yorkshire, but there does seem to be some challenges that need to be gripped.
“It is obviously about neighbourhood police resources, but working with the Home Secretary, we will be making further announcements on that soon.”
Andy Burnham in Bradford
(Image: Newsquest)
Residents express concerns
Jen Barclay, who lives in the city centre, said: “There is an escalation of illegal riding in the Bradford city centre pedestrian zone.
“From electric courier bikes to electric off-road motorbikes doing wheelies, beeping their horn and telling pedestrians to move."
Another city centre resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I have mobility problems and balance problems, I rely on a walking stick.
“There are other disabled people living in our block of flats as well.
“I am frightened of being knocked down and, say, having my arm or my ankle broken.
“I just could not manage living alone in a pedestrian zone with a broken limb.”
Responding to concerns, a Bradford Council spokesperson said the authority supported enforcement through its Vision Zero Bradford programme and the E-Mobility Enforcement Framework, delivered alongside West Yorkshire Police and other agencies.
The spokesperson said police could now seize vehicles being used anti-socially without first issuing a warning and encouraged residents to report incidents.
Drop in illegal e-bike seizures in last year
The concerns come as newly-released figures, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, show West Yorkshire Police seized 20 e-bikes between May 20, 2025 and May 19, 2026, compared with 26 during the previous 12 months.
Nationally, however, the data shows police forces recorded an 83 per cent increase in e-bike seizures over the same period.
Of the 45 police forces contacted by PA, West Yorkshire Police was one of only four to record a decrease in seizures.
What about the Bradford figures?
A further Freedom of Information request submitted by the T&A revealed that just one e-bike was seized by West Yorkshire Police during June 2026.
Data supplied by the force showed seizures linked to recorded crimes remained relatively low during the first half of the year.
There were two e-bikes seized in January 2026, none in February, two in March, four in April, three in May and one in June.
The force noted that a single crime could involve multiple seized items.
West Yorkshire Police did not respond when approached by the T&A about the figures.
MP raises concerns
The issue of dangerous and anti-social e-bike use was also raised by Shipley MP Anna Dixon last week.
Ms Dixon wrote to Bradford Council's new Reform UK leadership seeking assurances that a £200,000 fund established by the previous Labour leadership to tackle anti-social e-bike and e-scooter use would be maintained.
She said the increasing use of the vehicles meant many constituents “no longer feel safe on their streets”.
Bradford Council response
In response to concerns, a Bradford Council spokesperson said: “The Council supports enforcement through its Vision Zero Bradford programme and the E-Mobility Enforcement Framework, delivered in partnership with West Yorkshire Police and other agencies.
“This includes action against illegal vehicles, safety risks and public awareness initiatives.
“Whilst we cannot comment on individual cases, we can confirm that enforcement is the responsibility of West Yorkshire Police, including neighbourhood policing teams and Operation Steerside.
“Police can now seize vehicles being used antisocially without first issuing a warning.
“Residents are encouraged to report incidents via 101, online, or through Operation Snap, which accepts mobile phone, dashcam and cycle camera footage.”