News story

Putting the brakes on E-Scooter and E-Bike enabled crime

DASA is exploring innovative solutions to bring E-Scooters and E-Bikes to a controlled stop

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new Market Exploration called Tackling E-Scooter and E-Bike enabled crime, which aims to explore innovative solutions that enhance the ability of UK Police to prevent E-Scooters and E-Bikes from being used to commit criminal acts.

This Market Exploration is being run on behalf of the Home Office (HO) and seeks technologies from across the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) spectrum.

Do you have an innovative solution? Read the full Market Exploration now and submit your idea

Stopping E-Scooter and E-bike crime in its tracks

Lawfully used E-Scooters and E-Bikes have many positive benefits, such as portability and eco-friendliness. However, when used unlawfully, UK Policing faces several challenges when trying to bring these vehicles to a controlled stop, without risk to the rider, public, or police officers.

Challenges in bringing E-Scooters and E-bikes to a controlled stop include:

  • The lack of protective equipment, such as helmets, worn by unlawful riders – especially when travelling at high speeds
  • The small wheels and high-centre of gravity of E-scooters which make the rider vulnerable when losing control of the vehicle

What innovations are DASA and the Home Office looking for?

We are looking for solutions, innovative capabilities and ideas for stopping or preventing E-Scooter and E-Bike enabled crime at any maturity level. This includes solutions that allow E-Scooters, E-Bikes or suspects using them unlawfully to be electronically located post event, to reduce the need for a vehicle pursuit.

Solutions may include innovations that:

  • render a stationary E-Scooter or E-Bike incapable of moving
  • bring a moving E-Scooter or E-Bike to a controlled stop
  • is deployable in many locations against E-Scooters or E-Bikes whilst they are moving or stationary, i.e. the system/technology should be readily portable
  • is target specific, i.e. does not affect persons or technology around the suspect vehicle
  • is reliable in use and consistent when activated

Do you have an in-depth understanding of emerging capabilities, technologies, initiatives and novel approaches that may help prevent E-Scooter and E-Bike enabled crime? Submit an idea and help inform UK Police in methods for improving their capability in bringing E-Scooter and E-Bikes to a controlled stop.

Submit your innovation

Read the full Market Exploration document and submit your innovation.

Published 28 September 2021