European Police Launch Week-Long Crackdown on Bikes, Motorcycles, and E-Steps

Police forces across Europe, coordinated by the European Traffic Police Network (ROADPOL), have launched a week-long enhanced enforcement campaign targeting two-wheeled vehicles. Running from 1 to 7 June 2026, Operation Two-Wheelers (“2Wheels”) focuses on bicycles, motorcycles, mopeds, speed pedelecs, e-bikes, fatbikes, and electric scooters (e-steps), with a particular emphasis on speed compliance and vehicle safety.

A Coordinated European Response

The operation is being conducted simultaneously in more than 30 European countries, reflecting a growing concern over the safety of vulnerable road users. According to ROADPOL, the campaign aims to reduce accidents involving two-wheeled vehicles through a combination of high-visibility enforcement and public awareness. The initiative was piloted last year and, following a positive evaluation, has been incorporated into ROADPOL’s permanent enforcement calendar for 2026.

“ROADPOL’s annual calendar of pan-European operations remains a cornerstone of our mission to make Europe’s roads safer,” said Chief Commissioner Jana Peleskova, Head of the ROADPOL Operational Working Group. “By conducting simultaneous, high-visibility enforcement across our member countries, we not only deter dangerous behavior but also raise vital public awareness.”

E-Steps and Fatbikes Under Scrutiny

While all two-wheeled vehicles are being checked, electric scooters and fatbikes are receiving special attention. In Belgium, e-steps are legally limited to a maximum speed of 25 km/h, but police report that many devices have been tampered with to reach far higher speeds.

As Het Laatste Nieuws reported, the operation targets vehicles that have been illegally modified. The concern is underscored by a recent case in Lier, Belgium, where police confiscated an e-step that reached 96 km/h — nearly four times the legal limit. Local police zone Lier confiscated 36 devices last year alone.

“About 50% of tampered e-steps ride faster than 40 km/h,” said Chief of Police Stijn Van den Bulck of Lokale Politie Lier, speaking to VRT NWS. “And an outlier we stopped last year rode 96 km/h. That’s actually irresponsible when you know how small those wheels are. That’s asking for accidents and serious injuries.”

What Police Are Checking

During the enforcement week, officers are focusing on several key areas:

• Speed compliance: Particularly for e-steps and fatbikes that may have been tampered with
• Protective equipment: Motorcyclists must wear mandatory protective clothing and approved helmets
• Helmet use: Speed pedelec riders are checked for helmet compliance
• Vehicle condition: Lighting, brakes, tires, and overall technical condition
• Detection of modifications: Identifying vehicles that have been illegally altered to exceed speed limits

For standard e-bikes, police are also checking that lighting systems function correctly. Pitane Blue noted that the operation is as much about awareness as it is about enforcement, with police emphasizing that road safety is a shared responsibility.

Broader Context and Implications

The operation is part of a wider European strategy to reduce road fatalities. ROADPOL coordinates multiple enforcement campaigns throughout the year targeting speed, impaired driving, seatbelt use, and driver distraction. The inclusion of Operation Two-Wheelers in the permanent calendar signals a sustained commitment to protecting vulnerable road users.

The focus on e-steps and fatbikes reflects the rapid growth of personal electric mobility devices in urban areas. While these vehicles offer sustainable transport alternatives, their safety implications — particularly when modified — have become a pressing concern for authorities. Emergency physicians in Belgium have previously called for a night-time ban on e-steps, and discussions about safety labeling are ongoing.

What to Watch For

As the week-long operation progresses, data on violations and confiscations will provide insight into the scale of the problem. The results may inform future regulatory changes for e-steps and fatbikes across Europe. For now, authorities are sending a clear message: compliance with traffic regulations is non-negotiable, and those who tamper with their vehicles face confiscation and legal consequences.

ROADPOL’s coordinated approach demonstrates that road safety challenges increasingly require cross-border solutions. With vulnerable road users accounting for a significant proportion of traffic fatalities, operations like “2Wheels” are likely to become a regular feature of European policing.