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Original poster

Does anyone use an e-scooter?

95 replies

MrsJimmyPerez · 06/10/2022 21:57

I’m thinking of buying one and my endless online research is making my head spin, plus I’m sceptical of online reviews, so I’d really appreciate any advice from people with experience of buying/riding one.

Will be for regular journeys of up to 5 miles (and back!), can spend up to around £600, and am really tempted to get one with a seat - though would like it to be foldable and not too heavy to carry on public transport, so a seat might not work?

Does anyone have one and love it, or have bought one and regretted it? Any experiences/advice would be really appreciated. Thank you.

OP posts:
FlutterbButterfly · 06/10/2022 21:59

You do know they are illegal to use on public highways? The police can seize and crush which they do round my way.

Original poster
MrsJimmyPerez · 06/10/2022 22:14

@FlutterbButterfly fortunately they don’t round my way 😉

OP posts:
Aspergirl77 · 06/10/2022 22:24

They are still illegal.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General sports
Original poster
MrsJimmyPerez · 06/10/2022 22:38

@Aspergirl77 no, e-scooters are not illegal. There are restrictions on where they can be legally driven, however they are commonly used where I live. It’s dawning on me that I’d get better advice asking local e-scooter riders than I will asking on mumsnet!

OP posts:
Caroffee · 06/10/2022 22:39

They are illegal to ride on roads. I've never seen anyone take one on a bus.

LadyHarmby · 06/10/2022 22:40

The police won’t stop you unless you’re riding it dangerously or irresponsibly.

SirChenjins · 06/10/2022 22:42

Where are you planning to ride one that means you don’t have to be concerned by the restrictions?

Original poster
MrsJimmyPerez · 07/10/2022 00:30

@SirChenjins Andalućia

OP posts:
RNLD1981 · 07/10/2022 00:54

Touche!
I think your best bet is to ask locally for advice from riders. Do you have a hire scheme in your area? You could rent one for a few days to see how you get on.
Good luck

Danikm151 · 07/10/2022 00:58

A lot of bus companies won’t allow escooters on board due to safety fears over the batteries.
they’re unregulated and there’s been instances of the batteries blowing.

maybe a foldup bike instead?

Aspergirl77 · 07/10/2022 06:13

E-scooters can only be used legally on private land. Therefore if they are used anywhere else (on public footpath, cycle path or road etc.) the person riding the scooter is committing a road traffic offence. I know this is fact because I went to a Community Safety Meeting yesterday (6th Oct) to discuss ASB issues in my local area and the police officer representing the county police force said those very words. So everyone you see using e-scooters in a public space is using them illegally.

AmberGer · 07/10/2022 06:21

Ffs, they're not in the UK.
I hope you get some helpful advice OP.
Rather than what you've been receiving so far 🙄

CormoranStrike · 07/10/2022 06:24

Fold up bikes are often very heavy, especially e ones, so I wouldn’t recommend that for lifting on a bus.

I’ve not tried an e scooter, but they do look fun

MumInBrussels · 07/10/2022 06:30

I don't have one, but there are hire schemes all over Brussels and they get dumped everywhere, so I've had to move them before. They are very heavy. (Personal ones might be a bit lighter, but if you want to be carrying it on public transport, I'd definitely try picking one up before you buy!)

Tons of people use them here - I have balance issues, so haven't dared, but they look fun and are clearly convenient. I've never seen one with a seat, but would imagine that would get in the way if you want to be able to fold it...

Do you have any of the share schemes near you, like Lime or any of the others? They're a good way to try it out, I reckon. Sorry I can't be more helpful, but hopefully someone with experience of using them comes along soon!

OnTheBrinkOfChange · 07/10/2022 06:35

MrsJimmyPerez · 07/10/2022 00:30

@SirChenjins Andalućia

Best comeback ever!

Aspergirl77 · 07/10/2022 06:39

If you want accurate advice/info you really should have stated where your location is.

AgentProvocateur · 07/10/2022 06:43

Hi, I commute on mine (also not in the U.K.) and I love it. I go from apartment to office, I don’t need to fold, although I have one that does fold. My brand is Xiaomi and I would recommend it.

KitchenSupper · 07/10/2022 06:45

To be fair she’s only asked about the actual scooters and not at all about their legality.

QuebecBagnet · 07/10/2022 06:50

KitchenSupper · 07/10/2022 06:45

To be fair she’s only asked about the actual scooters and not at all about their legality.

Yes but it’s not unreasonable that people would, trying to be helpful, point out it could be seized……because they assume she’s in the U.K..

anyway I don’t have one but thought about it and Xiaomi are the best brand, someone at work has one of these and commutes in everyday.

SpinningFloppa · 07/10/2022 06:57

Loads of parents ride them to my kids school 🤷‍♀️, a man takes his son on it to school in the morning, I’m in London.

BertieBotts · 07/10/2022 07:20

They are really popular here in Germany as well.

I don't think you'll get much useful info on MN as it's a UK site and they are illegal to be driven there.

Do you have a local English speakers/expat type facebook group? I get a lot of useful info on there and I'd use somewhere like that to ask this type of question.

BertieBotts · 07/10/2022 07:22

The battery pointers are a good point - beware of cheap Chinese brands sold online. I'd only buy from a reputable shop. A bike shop, electronics shop or somewhere like Decathlon.

BrilliantGreenFlamingo · 07/10/2022 07:26

There’s loads where I live in the UK too. So OP’s location doesn’t really matter. People use them with kids, some have seats. Police don’t mind them at all. Loads of hire ones too. They’re getting as common as bikes now. Lots on morning commute.

Anyway, that doesn’t help you OP! It’s just annoying when people come on to a thread just to try to chastise you and not answer the question.

FlutterbButterfly · 07/10/2022 07:30

AmberGer · 07/10/2022 06:21

Ffs, they're not in the UK.
I hope you get some helpful advice OP.
Rather than what you've been receiving so far 🙄

Where I the OPS first post did they state they were not in the UK? How on earth were we supposed to know until it was drip fed later? 🤦🏼‍♀️

FlutterbButterfly · 07/10/2022 07:31

Aspergirl77 · 07/10/2022 06:39

If you want accurate advice/info you really should have stated where your location is.

Exactly 🤦🏼‍♀️