Electric scooters - illegal?

[HoxtonBonnet]

Ds15 really wants an electric scooter and has been saving for one. Many of his friends have one and I see them everywhere when I go out. However, I have just looked up the guidelines and if I've read it right, they are illegal! How can this be when I see them everywhere?

I see plenty but they haven’t been legalised. So to be used on private land only.

Thanks JoJo. I'll have to break the news to ds - should be fun.

They are illegal for a good reason - because they are bloody dangerous.
If ridden on the pavement they pose a risk to pedestrians, particularly elderly people, disabled people, people walking dogs, and small children.
And they are a death sentence if ridden on the road imo. The amount of teenagers I see riding them with no helmets, weaving in and out of traffic with no spatial awareness and wearing AirPods is utterly terrifying.
Over my dead body would I ever allow my DS to buy one.

I saw somewhere (sorry can't remember where ) that the government is looking into legalising them. To do with Covid and the dangers of crowded public transport I believe.

Ah, just had a quick search: Rental scheme scooters legal since July 2020. Crazy eh.

Yes they're trialling it with rental scooters. Private ones may be legal in the future.

Thanks - that's interesting! Probably for the best it's put off for a while by the sounds of it.

If he waits a year he can do a CBT and ride a moped.

They are illegal but it doesn't seem to be enforced, I see a lot and on the pavement which is dangerous for anyone trying to walk along