[Travel] UK Electric Scooter Law... You decide.

1066familyman · May 13, 2021

Rental scheme areas aside. Current UK law is that use of privately owned electric scooters is illegal, except on privately owned land with the owners permission.

If you was able to make the laws that made their use legal, in bullet points, what laws would you make?

P.S. Yes, I know there's already an electric scooter thread. This is a thread designed specifically for legislation ideas.

Justice · May 13, 2021

I’ve almost hit two of these idiots on scooters one with no lights on a roundabout and another just shot out in front of me. It’s a good job I’m happy plodding along at the legal speed limits.

I’ve seen the OB pick and choose who they want to take away the scooters from so hardly consistent, it seems if your an office bod everything’s lovely and a youth wearing a hoodie is danger to society, should be banned from the road someone will be killed otherwise.

Blue3 · May 13, 2021

Make them legal with the proviso that the owner has suitable third party insurance the same for electric bikes

1066familyman · May 13, 2021

Justice said:
I’ve almost hit two of these idiots on scooters one with no lights on a roundabout and another just shot out in front of me. It’s a good job I’m happy plodding along at the legal speed limits.

I’ve seen the OB pick and choose who they want to take away the scooters from so hardly consistent, should be banned from the road someone will be killed otherwise.

Ok. So first bullet point for you?

Illegal to be used on public roads.

What about use on pavements and cycle lanes?

1066familyman · May 13, 2021

Blue3 said:
Make them legal with the proviso that the owner has suitable third party insurance the same for electric bikes

Ok. For use on the road only? Or something else?

East Staffs Gull · May 13, 2021

I’d classify them as mopeds.

m20gull · May 13, 2021

They are motorised traffic and should be subject to the same legislation. Same as mobility scooters, able to use pavements if very low speed. Otherwise registered, on the road, compulsory insurance.

studio150 · May 13, 2021

Compulsory Insurance
Compulsory Helmets, Yellow Safety Vest
Compulsory Lights and Mirrors
Only for use in cycle lanes/roads - Banned from pavements
Speed limitation 15mph

1066familyman · May 13, 2021

m20gull said:
They are motorised traffic and should be subject to the same legislation. Same as mobility scooters, able to use pavements if very low speed. Otherwise registered, on the road, compulsory insurance.

I'm quite liking this idea. Simple and to the point.

Would surely have to be limited to 8mph for pavement use though. And possibly 15.5mph for use one roads, the same as electric bicycles.

My biggest concern is how vulnerable it potentially makes the user on the road, given the current lack of suitable cycle lanes. Also, if you require compulsory insurance for road use, do you extend that requirement to electric bike users?

GT49er · May 13, 2021

Blue3 said:
Make them legal with the proviso that the owner has suitable third party insurance the same for electric bikes

Third party insurance compulsory for electric bikes? Since when?

Make the scooters subject to the same rules as bicycles. Not allowed on pavements, must have lights at night, must obey road signs, traffic lights, etc. - and bloody well rigidly enforce them - and for bikes too.

1066familyman · May 13, 2021

studio150 said:
Compulsory Insurance
Compulsory Helmets, Yellow Safety Vest
Compulsory Lights and Mirrors
Only for use in cycle lanes/roads - Banned from pavements
Speed limitation 15mph

Again, when making things compulsory, as in helmets in your case, do you extend that requirement to electric bike users?

Compulsory helmets law for cyclists (not just electric) in Australia resulted in a reduction in cycle use. That wasn't the intention of the law.

Pint of Ale and a Burger · May 13, 2021

I really like these scooters and wouldn't mind one myself,I do however think we need some legislation.
The main points of legislation I would like to see is..
To ride a scooter on the road,some sort of licence should be required.
The rider should also be required to wear a helmet and be visible,either with a light or reflective jacket.
The scooter should also be required to have lights.
I would also like it made law that all scooters sold in the UK must make a constant noise while in use to alert pedestrians to their presence.
The scooters should also have a separate mode for use in pedestrian areas which limits the amount of available power ensuring the scooter can go no faster than walking pace,failure to engage"pedestrian mode"whilst on a pavement or pedestrians area would also be an offence.

1066familyman · May 13, 2021

Pint of Ale and a Burger said:
I really like these scooters and wouldn't mind one myself,I do however think we need some legislation.
The main points of legislation I would like to see is..
To ride a scooter on the road,some sort of licence should be required.
The rider should also be required to wear a helmet and be visible,either with a light or reflective jacket.
The scooter should also be required to have lights.
I would also like it made law that all scooters sold in the UK must make a constant noise while in use to alert pedestrians to their presence.
The scooters should also have a separate mode for use in pedestrian areas which limits the amount of available power ensuring the scooter can go no faster than walking pace,failure to engage"pedestrian mode"whilst on a pavement or pedestrians area would also be an offence.

Some good ideas there, many of which I agree with.

Playing devils advocate for a bit though (and perhaps with my cyclists hat on), when do we require cars to only be available in high vis colours?

usernamed · May 13, 2021

Not on pavements, never on pavements.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

usernamed · May 13, 2021

1066familyman said:
Some good ideas there, many of which I agree with.

Playing devils advocate for a bit though (and perhaps with my cyclists hat on), when do we require cars to only be available in high vis colours?

Cars are festooned with lights (including daytime running lights) and often are brightly coloured, my fear is actually that we’ve made lights so ubiquitous that we stop registering what they mean.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

swindonseagull · May 13, 2021

Anyone can get hold of one, Ive seen a couple of shops pop up and sell them.....notified on local facebook.,
This means any age can get hold of one if they have cash, therefore you could have ( and do have) a 14 year old on the road.

There should be a minimum age, licence held, same as motorcycle, insurance and lights.
There are already to many idiots going across the roads without stopping or looking, especially around colleges.

1066familyman · May 13, 2021

usernamed said:
Not on pavements, never on pavements.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Why?

How about?... If only used on a limited mode.

As suggested above by Pint of Ale and a Burger.

studio150 · May 13, 2021

1066familyman said:
Again, when making things compulsory, as in helmets in your case, do you extend that requirement to electric bike users?

Compulsory helmets law for cyclists (not just electric) in Australia resulted in a reduction in cycle use. That wasn't the intention of the law.

Yes, if it reduces the use of electric cycles then will have to live with that, but the safety issue needs to be in place as head injuries are life changing and at times people need to be protected from themselves.

1066familyman · May 13, 2021

usernamed said:
Cars are festooned with lights (including daytime running lights) and often are brightly coloured, my fear is actually that we’ve made lights so ubiquitous that we stop registering what they mean.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm with you there! Stand out by NOT wearing a high vis jacket is fast approaching :lol:

maltaseagull · May 13, 2021

Blue3 said:
Make them legal with the proviso that the owner has suitable third party insurance the same for electric bikes

And has proper training. CBT at least.

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[Travel] UK Electric Scooter Law... You decide.

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