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Sur-Ron style electric motorbikes are increasingly being reported on UK MTB and BMX facilities, with incidents linked to theft, vandalism, trail damage and anti-social behaviour. This round-up covers reports from sites across the UK, including BikePark Wales, Newbold Comyn, Bolehills, Lady Cannings and Grenoside in Sheffield, and Hemlock Stone in Nottingham. It also signposts how riders and trail groups are being encouraged to report nuisance off-road vehicle use and share evidence with police and councils.
Reading across the entries below, it's clear these incidents don't all take the same shape. Some are property damage, ruts on jumps, wrecked trail surfaces, vandalised diggers, the kind of thing a site recovers from with a series of dig days. Others are different in kind: a knife threat in Grenoside Woods, and a theft at BikePark Wales involving multiple people. Riders and trail groups are best served by being alert to that range rather than assuming every report will look like the last one.
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Recent SurRon-related incidents:
BikePark Wales
On Saturday 22 August 2026, two 16-year-old boys had their bikes stolen at BikePark Wales by men wearing balaclavas riding Surron-style bikes, according to an account posted by a parent in the BikePark Wales Community Facebook group. The bikes were recovered and the culprits apprehended following what BikePark Wales described as a swift response from its team, the police, and members of the public.
In a statement posted the following day, BikePark Wales thanked staff, police and the public for their actions, and said the venue was treating the incident as "an incredibly isolated" one, with nothing similar having happened in its 13 years of operation. He said police had told the venue the culprits were not local and had travelled to the area to attempt the theft. BikePark Wales said it takes security "very seriously" and is carrying out a security review, with additional measures already in motion.
Newbold Comyn, Leamington Spa
The Newbold Trails Crew Facebook group reported a series of bike thefts at Newbold Comyn over the weekend of 15 and 16 August 2026, noting similarities between the incidents. The group said the individuals involved were arriving on Surron-type e-motos, generally in groups.
Newbold Trails Crew said it is now operating a zero-tolerance approach to e-motos, motorbikes and quads at the trails, and urged riders to report anything suspicious to the police (101 for non-emergencies, 999 for emergencies) and via Warwickshire County Council's off-road bike reporting page at warwickshire.gov.uk/dobemin.
Kielder Forest
25 June 2026: The Facebook group reported that the team had been dealing with damage to some trails at Kielder caused by heavy electric motorbikes.
Chesterfield BMX Club
4 June 2026: Upgrade of the track at Ringwood Park is being delayed due to motorbikes damaging the new surface.
Ashton Court, Bristol
18 May 2026: At Ashton Court Estate, recently rebuilt volunteer trail sections were damaged after suspected unauthorised riding, including possible motorised use, resulting in repair work being carried out again by dig crews.
Healey Nab, Chorley
In May 2026, the police shared that after numerous reports of off-road motorcycles causing a nuisance and almost knocking innocent children over who were legitimately mountain biking on Healey Nab, one of the illegal bikes was seized.
They shared, "We won't accept anti-social driving, especially when it puts innocent members of the public at risk."
Clyne Valley
Reports of Surron-type e-motorcycles in the Valley in April 2026.
Cannock Chase
In January 2026, Staffordshire Police Rural and Wildlife Crime posted: "Unfortunately, we are seeing a growing problem with illegal off-road bikes, including electric bikes such as Sur-Rons, being ridden across protected areas. These bikes are causing significant damage to the landscape. They tear up fragile heathland, destroy vegetation, erode footpaths and bridleways, and disturb wildlife habitats. Some of these areas take years to recover once damaged. What might look like "just a few tyre marks" can quickly turn into deep ruts, widened trails, and long-term harm to protected ground."
The force added: "If you see illegal off-road bikes being used on the Chase, please report it. Information about locations, times, descriptions of riders or vehicles transporting bikes to the area can make a real difference. If safe to do so, note details, but do not approach riders yourself."
Hemlock Stone, Nottingham
Riders visiting the Hemlock Stone MTB trails in December 2025 reported arriving to find multiple sections heavily damaged, which they attributed to Sur-Ron style electric motorbikes. They described the trails as "completely chewed up" in places, with deep ruts and significant erosion leaving some parts not safely rideable. The report also said the damage had set back work carried out by the Hemlock Trail Association, which maintains and improves the trails through volunteer effort.
Western Park Freeride, Leicester
On 20 April 2025, the Western Park Freeride community (@western_park3riders) in Leicester reported that a bike was stolen around 11:15am from the Western Park bike track by individuals on Sur-Ron electric motorbikes. The post urged parents to accompany their children, especially when riding expensive bikes, to deter opportunistic theft.
Grenoside Woods, Sheffield
On 29 March 2025, a disturbing encounter was reported in Grenoside Woods. A dog walker confronted two individuals on Sur-Ron bikes after one kicked their dog for crossing their path. The situation escalated, with the rider allegedly threatening the walker with a knife and claiming dominance over the area. South Yorkshire Police responded swiftly, deploying drones and K9 units, though the suspects had already fled. The force has issued a warning to avoid the area alone and noted a rise in recent incidents there.
Lady Cannings, Sheffield
Ride Sheffield shared on 27 March 2025 that their recently rebuilt trail at Lady Cannings Cooking on Gas trail was targeted by vandals. Contractors had van windows smashed and diggers damaged, just as the new trail, funded by community donations, was nearing completion. The trail itself is described as "awesome," with flow and features for riders of all levels. However, it still needs time to settle, and volunteers are rallying to help block and protect the trail from further damage. The Ride Sheffield team called for support at an evening dig, urging riders to respect the closure and avoid walking or riding the unfinished trail.
Bolehills BMX, Sheffield
Bolehills BMX track in Sheffield has suffered vandalism from Sur-Ron motorised bikes. The damage, deep ruts on the jumps, occurred in February 2025, just months before the track's planned reopening after major renovations. It is the second time this year.
The local BMX and MTB community is frustrated, with volunteers working tirelessly to restore the track. In a social media statement, they warned that if the destruction continues, it could mean "the end of Bolehills as you know it... If setbacks like this keep on happening, we just don't have the manpower or the time to keep fixing it up."
In response, South Yorkshire's Motorcycle and Rural Crime Team has pledged increased patrols. South Yorkshire Police has also urged anyone who sees motorcycles on the track to call 999. Offenders risk prosecution and having their bikes seized.
Despite the setbacks, the Bolehills crew remains committed, planning public dig days to keep the track on track for its 3 May 2025 reopening. With over 40 years of history, the community is determined to preserve this long-running BMX site.
Surrey Hills
It's not just Sheffield and Leicester feeling the impact. The Surrey Hills MTB community also reported Sur-Ron bikes causing disruption in 2025. The concerns echo a growing frustration across the UK, especially for volunteer-managed sites vulnerable to repeated damage and without the resources for heightened security.
At Bickerstaffe Bike Trails, ongoing efforts through 2025 to block motorbike access and tackle trail misuse have led to a call for local volunteers to help monitor the site. Lancashire County Council and Bickerstaffe Parish Council are addressing damage linked to illegal motorbike use, including Sur-Ron style e-motos, by improving barriers and involving the community. The need for action follows reports of vandalism, unauthorised trail building, and antisocial behaviour.
What's Happening and What Can Be Done?
Sur-Ron bikes, high-powered electric motorbikes, are generally illegal to ride on MTB or BMX trails in the UK unless specifically allowed by the landowner. They can be legally used only on:
- ✅ Private land (with permission)
- ✅ Official off-road parks for motorbikes
- ✅ Some BOATs/Green Lanes (if registered, taxed, and insured)
Communities are being urged to report illegal usage to the police, who can seize bikes, issue fines, or take legal action under anti-social behaviour laws. The challenge remains: these are often community-built and maintained trails, not easily defended with fences, gates, or cameras.
We explored the wider policy questions around enforcement and whether there is a "missing middle" between outright bans and unmanaged use in a separate piece: Sur-Ron bikes, enforcement, and legal riding spaces: what is the missing middle?
Community-Police Partnerships
In some regions, police and councils are encouraging the public to report nuisance use of off-road vehicles. These initiatives may offer useful models for local trail groups:
- Huddersfield / Kirklees: Public urged to send video and dashcam footage of nuisance off-road bikers to the police.
- Coventry City Council: Plea to submit footage of antisocial off-road bike use.
- Kent Police: Running a campaign against vehicle nuisance involving cars, bikes, and mopeds.
Trail associations might consider reaching out to their local police and councils to explore how they can collaborate more effectively to protect community-built facilities.
Let's continue to back our trail crews, report issues, and look out for one another.
If you know of similar issues, or have any thoughts or ideas on how to help best address this trend then please post below or get in touch.