'They're dangerous. They taunt police' Cardiff community plagued by youths on e-bikes

Residents in a Cardiff community have described fears over dangerous bike riding and anti-social behaviour after a police dispersal order was introduced in the area. Introduced by South Wales Police in Gabalfa, the order gives officers additional powers to direct people to leave a designated area and not return for a set period where anti-social behaviour is suspected. It covers the area including Gabalfa Avenue, Aberporth Road, Waterston Road and Cathedral View. It came into force at 4pm on Tuesday and is in place for two days. Failure to comply can result in arrest. According to the South Wales Police website, officers’ main priorities as of March 2026 are: drug dealing and using, anti-social behaviour and e-bike related theft. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here On Wednesday local residents told WalesOnline they fear for safety in the area due to “dangerous” riding on e-bikes and motorbikes, groups gathering on streets and suspected drug activity, although one business owner said issues had improved in recent months. One 42-year-old man, who asked us to just use just his first name Andrew due to fears for his safety, said he had become increasingly uneasy about activity in the area. He said: “I see adolescent boys into their 20s on e-bikes and all sorts of motorbikes going up and down this avenue (College Road). I have seen what appear to be people dealing drugs just down here, and kids riding bikes really dangerously. “[In terms of safety] it’s not good. I frequently see people riding the wrong way up the road, going the wrong way around the roundabout, and it’s a concern because if my kids were walking down the pavement, it feels really unsafe.” Andrew said the issue appeared concentrated around certain parts of the area, with quieter areas such as where he lives. “Gabalfa Avenue is where you always see them,” he said. “We live [nearby] and we don’t see them on our street, it seems to be an issue along this artery, and they go up to Station Road towards Llandaf Station.” He described a recent uncomfortable experience he had when walking through the area late at night. “Recently I was walking back from the pub quite late at night and it was the first time I felt a little bit unsafe,” he said. “At around 11pm there were people zipping around on bikes in quite a menacing way. It’s not good.” Although Andrew agreed with the decision to introduce a dispersal order, he added that addressing the issue may be difficult because of police resources and the scale of the problem. He said: “It would take a lot of resources to try and do anything about it. Confiscating these bikes is something you would imagine would make a difference but I’m sure police resources are stretched.” Another resident, a 61-year-old woman who also asked not to be identified, said she had witnessed anti-social behaviour involving bikes and e-bikes in the area for a long time. She said: “They’re dangerous on the roads, they’re dangerous on the fields, they’re dangerous around the park. “They cut across the fields here and they don’t care about the little kids playing football or the kids playing in the park, they just don’t care. They do taunt the police, and the police can’t do anything.” She claimed suspected drug activity was a common sight and said she worried for the safety of children, drivers and older people. “It’s dangerous. I’m more concerned about the safety of drivers and older people and kids. It’s just ridiculous and it’s been going on for a long time.” Asked about the dispersal order, she said: “It won’t matter, they don’t care. Some of them are alright and have a nice side to them, but they’re unruly.” However, one local business owner, aged 28, said he felt the situation had become calmer in recent months and pointed to CCTV as a possible factor. He said previous issues outside his shop weren’t a “good look”, but that he’s seen “no issues” since the camera was installed nearby around six months ago. “The kids on the bikes are okay to be honest. There was a [drunk] guy who came here causing trouble, but we haven’t seen him for two weeks now. “He would buy his alcohol and go to passersby. Some very courageous lady started chasing him down the road - but it’s mostly calm. It’s not that bad at the moment.” Get Cardiff news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions, and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice