E Scooters

[DumfriesDik]

When I walked the dog along the cycle path, a chap would regularly come past on his escooter on the way to work. He was sensible, slowed as he went past people, wore protective gear and it was one less car on the road. I don't have a problem with them, generally speaking.

Any transport strategy moving forwards will have to include them.

 

[jezport]

Agree with everything you say apart from the brakes, the ones we tried the brake were incredible took me by surprise and nearly got thrown off because they were so powerful.

Yes, brakes are very good. Also it would be a benefit if councils had to fix more pot holes. Any legal action also keeps people in jobs ;-)

 

[jezport]

They could have child approved scooters with a speed regulator. They could reduce the amount of cars doing the school run.
We were in Liversedge in West Yorkshire, and took our bikes on the Spen Valley greenway. It's a multi use footpath, bridleway, cycle path. We saw all types of green transport. From very fast electric mountain bikes to e scooters. Children were using them to go to school. The greenaway links quite a few towns like Dewsbury, Liversedge, Heckmondwike and is well used. If more e scooters were used maybe more routes like this would be made.

 

[Reallyretired]

Locally we have the Cuckoo trail, mixed use path formally a railway. I occasionally take the dogs there in bad weather as it is tarmac, and see all sorts of electric vehicles, scooters, hoverboards, and a high power looking electric motorbike which I'm sure should be on the road. All mixed in with runners, horses, dog walkers and ordinary bikes. Most seem to be considerate of other users.

 

[bridgedino]

One flew past me last week on the road at 30+ mph during the heatwave
Young lad rider in tee shirt, shorts and flip flops, hit a rut in the road and was straight off.
His injuries looked extremely painful (but not life threatening I think)

Thats known as ‘street justice’

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[DT]

The 'official ones' are everywhere in Europe and seem to work well, they are tracked and the rider is registered so that in most cases they can be identified in the event of an accident or incident. The purchased scooters are a different matter and with people modifying them crazy speeds are achievable these need strict legislation to control them. Probably they are the future !!

 

[busby]

A few months ago they were talking about legalising them as soon as September but if trials have been extended I can't see that happening.

Legal ones are limited to 25kph (15.5 mph) and for offences on them you can get points on your driving licence.

15.5 mph is very fast on pavements.. BUSBY.

 

[Lenny HB]

15.5 mph is very fast on pavements.. BUSBY.

Illegal to use on pavements.

 

[The Wino]

All the negative comments would be just the same if bicycles were newly discovered. Of course ATM they're likely to be used wrongly as they're illegal. If they are allowed restricted to bike lanes etc they could reduce traffic a lot.

 

[bigtwin]

Electric bikes have been approved and rules made law, so not a big problem to do it for scooters.

Ebikes have been aporoved because speed is controlled by pedalling and gears. Early Ebikes were twist and go and they were banned because they are classed as a motor vehicle and couldn’t comply with the Construction and Use legislation. Hence why, twist and go Escooters are illegal.

dont see how they can be legalised with throttle and its not legal on a normal E bike .

Yes, exactly this. Specific legislation will be required.

Ian

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[Propshaft]

My friends wife was recently knocked over by a e scooter on the pavement spent six days in hospital her funeral takes place in a few days time . I think it’s time to permanently ban them

 

[Lenny HB]

My friends wife was recently knocked over by a e scooter on the pavement spent six days in hospital her funeral takes place in a few days time . I think it’s time to permanently ban them

Sorry to hear that but one illegal user is not a case for banning them all.

 

[TDub49]

A few months ago they were talking about legalising them as soon as September but if trials have been extended I can't see that happening.

Legal ones are limited to 25kph (15.5 mph) and for offences on them you can get points on your driving licence.

If you've got a driving licence that is, although I guess they can bank the points against any future licence. The e-scooter trial in Southampton makes a big play about how only people with driving licences can ride them and then only one rider per scooter and only on the road. We frequently see young teenagers shooting around the place on the hire scooters, often two up, on and off the pavement and pedestrian walkways but strangely, the pilot company doesn't seem to keep data on infringements . . .

 

[Vanman]

I guess it's just like Drones, great for the people that have / like them and bloody annoying for everyone else.

 

[Landy Andy]

E scooters, e unicycle thingys, ebikes all over the place here on the Loire river. Some at mega speeds too. Some people with full face helmets on, others with next nothing on. But then there is also SERIOUS cyclists who are leg powered and possibly faster than anything E. All this is right in front of me with people swarming all over the place, uncontrolled dogs, kids, and even my neighbours playing boule last night, all in 6’ of path. Makes good viewing and no crashes yet.

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[jezport]

A 15yo boy was killed in a motorbike being illegally driven in Leeds this week, so there will always be illegal users if any type of transport. You just need kaws and regulations. Insurance is always a good idea however bikes have not had it made a requirement.
Re the throttle, In my opinion how the machines speed is controlled is not an issue its the top speed. If it was an issue we would have to regulate gear sizes and leg muscle sizes!

 

[MartinandBev]

We have two here in Spain for myself and my wife, I have to say they are brilliant with the Motorhome, and even got the dog trained now to walk alongside them which is a plus. Much easier than ebikes, (we have those as well) lighter and less space taken up in the garage

 

[AG 2602]

I believe the government have extended the trial in the cities across the country until 2024, not sure if this will have any impact on when they may be legalised. I looked in to this a month or so ago as wanted something for my wife, for similar reason to the OP. Going to France next year also, although it’s legal over there, you Have to have the scooter insured.
in the end we went for this as it fits in our MH Garage, I also enjoy giving it a blast. It’s classed as a normal ebike, so legal to use anywhere etc. just to add I bought it on flea bay, nearly new (8 months old).

Jorvik Mid Drive Electric Mountain Trike JMT7 (250W)

Game-changing design meets go-anywhere ability. Now with a slimmer battery and mid-drive motor to replicate the balanced, natural feel of cycling. *Please note, images are for illustration purposes only and can vary as designs are updated*

jorviktricycles.com

Looks great I'm onthe look out for a folding E-Bike but I think this looks better!!

 

[buttons]

There was a lot of e scooters sold at the Norfolk show. We bought there. I know they can't be used many places legally in the UK at the moment. We bought so I can get to the showers at shows as I can't walk fat.
I'm very impressed and would use it at home for short trips and errands. They are very green compared to even electric cars. How long is it going to be before our government gets round to sorting the legalities out?

The problem is not the scooters it is the riders who will keep the law as it is. In the wrong hands which many scooters are they can be death traps for rider and other road users.

 

[jockaneezer]

There's an old guy we see up town, he's bent double and uses a stick as he shuffles around the precinct. Recently, he's acquired a fully enclosed mobility scooter and absolutely flies around the pedestrian area (8mph model ?) I mentioned to the missus, saying he never moved this fast in the past and now he's a bit of a liability as with it being fully enclosed, he seems to be oblivious to his surroundings ?
I'm not begrudging him his mobility, but just wish he would consider those around him ?

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[StitchUp]

I guess it's just like Drones, great for the people that have / like them and bloody annoying for everyone else.

Not everyone else surely? I have a drone and I'll certainly avoid any annoyance.

 

[jezport]

I guess it's just like Drones, great for the people that have / like them and bloody annoying for everyone else.

Not really, it's down to people being sensible and considerate.
There are a lot of legal things that can be dangerous or annoying, but we don't have to ban everyone from having then.

 

[Vanman]

Not really, it's down to people being sensible and considerate.
There are a lot of legal things that can be dangerous or annoying, but we don't have to ban everyone from having then.

I fully accept your point but unfortunately although many individuals are sensible and considerate, as a general rule PEOPLE are neither. Plus, for every 10 that are sensible it's the one doing 20mph on the pavement that will come to everyone elses attention. No need to ban them, just have a three part test for the owners and licence them with insurance and MOTs. Then enforce all the rules so that the bad behaviour is weeded out.

 

[tonyidle]

Whatever controls are placed on them unless policing them can be automated nothing will be done. We don't have enough police for road-based offences now. Unless a user is caught speeding how will anyone know what motor size is in use?

 

[Landy Andy]

Police won’t stop mopeds in my area as they just speed up and run, potentially being dangerous, and they have number plates on So there is no way they will police scooters. Was speaking to a 68 year old yesterday who has a home converted Ebike. He said press button does 45, no one cares, or polices it.

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[hja]

There was some video footage around the other day of someone on a scooter on a motorway!
I think they are part of the future, but currently many people don’t know the rules.
The police will stop very dangerous riders when they can and their
first action is education. There are many unscrupulous sellers who make no real attempt to inform purchasers of the LAW.
I do think they should be registered. I think bikes should be registered, as I believe they are in parts of Europe.
If there was a proper set of rules around their national use at least there could be a major publicity campaign.
Around here we have no trial scheme, so they are all illegal when used on public roads and footpaths. They are frequently ridden in an extremely dangerous manner, on roads, on
pavements, weaving in and out of traffic, ignoring traffic lights, and at relatively high speed.
I also thought that many camp sites banned them.

 

[rosalan]

It could be beneficial to have layers of legislation, M.O.T.,Insurance, special licence, points systems, age limits ad infinitum. However each layer would involve cost and paperwork. This would be unlikely to stop the risk takers but just add problems for the legitimate rider. I am not sure there is any simple answer. The idea of extended trials does make some sense in attempting to develop a practical solution.
I do not like the idea of limiting the use of scooters to rental units. Th free market can be more innovative in developing better machines.

 

[denisejoe]

Sorry to hear that but one illegal user is not a case for banning them all.

Other than specific scooters in certain areas they are all illegal

 

[Lenny HB]

Other than specific scooters in certain areas they are all illegal

Only in the UK most other countries they are legal.

 

[TOAD on Tour]

Only in the UK most other countries they are legal.

Those countries have guidelines I.e. insurance, minimum age, maximum Weight of scooter etc. also I think places like France etc. cater for cyclists etc. far better than we do with more designated paths that can also be used by scooters. We as always seem to be light years behind.

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