Anna Dixon MP challenges new Reform UK Council over illegal E-bike crackdown funding
- Aug 14
- 2 min read
Anna Dixon MP for Shipley has written to members of Bradford Council's new Reform UK leadership, seeking confirmation that £200,000 of funding to tackle illegal and antisocial e-bike use will be honoured.
The funding, allocated in April by the previous Labour administration as part of Operation Steerside, was earmarked for around 100 additional targeted police initiatives, a strengthened district-wide Public Space Protection Order against antisocial vehicle use, and new noise cameras.
In her letter to Council Executive Members Cllr Ian Walker (Neighbourhoods and Communities) and Cllr Andrew Judson (Economy, Regeneration and Planning), Ms Dixon states that her constituency office is "inundated" with complaints from residents about e-bikes being ridden dangerously on pavements, through pedestrianised areas and against traffic.
The MP is calling on the new Council leadership to:
Confirm the £200,000 Operation Steerside funding will not be withdrawn, and set out when residents will see its benefits
Detail of discussions held with West Yorkshire Police since taking office, and progress on identifying hotspot areas in Shipley
Explain how the Council is using its Public Spaces Protection Order powers to restrict reckless e-bike use
Set out what action is being taken against local retailers selling or modifying illegal e-bikes
Speaking today, Anna Dixon MP said:
“Residents across my Shipley constituency have told me time and again that they no longer feel safe on their streets. Parents have described near-misses outside schools, and traders have reported groups of riders causing a nuisance.
“This funding was rightly put in place by the previous Labour Council to address exactly these problems. I am urging the new Council leadership to provide a straight answer as to whether this money will still be spent as planned. Residents cannot afford for this funding to fall between the gaps and become victims of a change of administration.
