04/11/2026
Illegal and antisocial use of e-bikes and e-scooters will not be tolerated in Nottinghamshire.
That's the message from Bestwood's sergeant after a suspect was charged with riding offences.
Neighbourhood officers were in Southglade Park when they witnessed some antisocial behaviour (ASB).
Believing this to involve an illegal electric dirt bike, they approached the rider and tried to detain them.
A struggle then took place during which two officers were knocked over onto the floor by the off-road bike.
This all took place around 5pm on Monday 26 October, with a suspect – Zakaya McKen – going on to be charged with multiple offences.
These included failing to stop, drink-driving, driving without insurance, failing to provide a specimen for analysis and assaulting an emergency worker.
McKen, 37, of Monroe Walk, Bestwood, has since been bailed ahead of an upcoming Nottingham Magistrates' Court appearance on 26 November.
Last week's incident came as the Bestwood and wider City North neighbourhood policing teams continue to target ASB – a longstanding policing priority for them.
This includes ongoing work cracking down on those who ride illegal Sur-Ron-style off-road bikes, and other e-bikes and e-scooters in a manner that is antisocial.
Sergeant Ash Small, from the Bestwood team, is keen to stress the dangers and nuisance associated with this type of behaviour, as well as the potential police action it could lead to.
He said: "I'd firstly like to commend the actions of the officers involved in last week's incident, with their hard work and persistence resulting in this arrest and the charges that followed.
"People need to know that if they choose to use illegal bikes or scooters on our roads, or ride them in an irresponsible fashion, we will take positive action.
"It is against the law for mechanically propelled off-road bikes that don't meet specific requirements to be ridden on the streets, full stop.
"Other high-powered and modified electric bikes can also be illegal to use on the roads, while it is an offence to use road legal e-bikes and e-scooters that aren't properly insured too.
"These laws are in place solely to keep people in the community safe, with these non-road legal vehicles having the potential to pose a significant risk to the public.
"Put simply, we can't allow that to happen, which is why we will always look to do everything we can to identify offences, robustly deal with offenders and then bring them before the courts.
"I'd add as well that e-bikes and e-scooters are classed as motor vehicles, so the same rules apply to users as if they were behind the wheel of a car.
"That means not driving in a dangerous and antisocial manner, not operating them while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and ensuring they're insured to use them on the roads in the first place.
"As I say, we will always look to respond to any illegal activity and, where possible, do everything we can to deter and identify all forms of ASB across the City North."
For more information about the laws around e-bikes and e-scooters, visit: https://orlo.uk/LV5Hj
