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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

E scooters are illegal? - right!!

114 replies

jacspatoutthecat · 16/04/2021 18:26

So if they are illegal why do so many older kids teens have them. I have a 15 and 14 yr old and all their friends have them. They are everywhere round here, and my kids are desperate for one. AIBU to say no??? Parents buying these scooters are breaking the law!!!

OP posts:

Troyhelena · 16/04/2021 18:28

Eh? Illegal?
We have a local council scheme where I live where you can rent them out so how can they be illegal?

RoseAndRose · 16/04/2021 18:29

It's not llegal to own one.

Just illegal to ride them other than on private land with landowner's permission.

Something that is more in the breach than in the observance right now

vodkaredbullgirl · 16/04/2021 18:30

They are rented out where I live, dotted all over the place.

starpatch · 16/04/2021 18:31

They used to be illegal to use but pretty sure they were legalised to use on pavement during first lockdown. They said it would help people get back to work.

CheshireCats · 16/04/2021 18:31

It is illegal to own one privately. It is only legal for rental companies to rent them out.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 16/04/2021 18:31

I have no idea, but I bloody hate them! Every time I walk the dog, I'm passed by anything between 3 and 10 of the things. Virtually silent, so often they whizz past inches away with no warning and scare the crap out of me. I feel like such an old fogey, but I keep thinking... it wouldn't kill you to walk, you lazy bugger!

brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr · 16/04/2021 18:32

It’s a really daft thing at the moment. Companies are allowed to rent them in certain cities for trial running them. But private owners are officially not allowed to use them on public land. I ride an electric skateboard and it’s honestly the best fun and safer than a regular skateboard (as it has effective brakes) but it’s technically illegal to use on public roads. I still do though, not on pavements though unless I’m with the kids on their (unpowered) scooters and we’re going inevitably slowly in that case.

19lottie82 · 16/04/2021 18:34

Escooters aren’t illegal, but it is illegal to ride privately owned scooters public pavements or roads. I have yet to see this being enforced though.

Troyhelena as far as I’m aware it’s legal to rent them for use on public roads through authorised channels.

19lottie82 · 16/04/2021 18:34

PS I expect it’s something to do with the rental companies provide adequate insurance?

Ponoka7 · 16/04/2021 18:35

"They used to be illegal to use but pretty sure they were legalised to use on pavement during first lockdown"

No it's still illegal to use a privately owned or be on the pavement. The Council own or lease the ones for hire, so they are legal to ride on any council owned land (the pavement).

Original poster

jacspatoutthecat · 16/04/2021 18:36

Does definitely seem double standards. Privately bought ones are illegal to ride on pavements- but it is ok if part of an organised rental scheme. I just feel if my allow my kids to follow the crowd then they are breaking the law and this should not be encoraged!

OP posts:

Bramblespoint · 16/04/2021 18:37

Local police force recently posted this on social media so maybe they are going to start enforcing?

TheFlis12345 · 16/04/2021 18:38

The laws on this are ridiculous. A kid who has never used an electric scooter can legally hire one, ride it like a loon with no practise, no helmet and no knowledge of the Highway Code. As a very sensible 40 year old woman who has had a drivers license for 23 years, wears a helmet, keeps it in low speed mode at all times, and is considerate to pedestrians etc, I am breaking the law.

Thankfully London police are largely sensible and the only reaction I got commuting on mine was a ‘morning’ as I passed them.

ghostyslovesheets · 16/04/2021 18:38

www.gov.uk/guidance/e-scooter-trials-guidance-for-users

ghostyslovesheets · 16/04/2021 18:39

you also need a provisional licence

hettie · 16/04/2021 18:41

I did not know this.... Hmmme, like others there is a sanctioned rental scheme here plus loads of kids haring about without helmets or road sense

1Morewineplease · 16/04/2021 18:42

Hate them with a vengeance.
Groups of these idiots ride them around here and you have to quickly jump out of their way.
They care not a jot for anyone in their path.
Grrr...

Original poster

jacspatoutthecat · 16/04/2021 18:44

So just out of interest if anybodys kids/teens do have them are they are insured?? And when you buy them they are obviously bought in a parents name who has a driving licence. Am I correct???

OP posts:

Wowthisisreal · 16/04/2021 18:46

Our local police force has also been talking about this on social media so maybe there is a bit of a crackdown? It was along the lines of illegal apart from on private property.

LovingBob · 16/04/2021 18:47

We have the trials in our town, everyone on them appears to be under 18, aren't they meant to be used instead of a car as more environmentally friendly not a youths plaything, which is how they are being used.

takingmytimeonmyride · 16/04/2021 18:47

I've had them pass far too close on the pavement when I've been walking. And they're silent so you don't know they're there. I've had them going from the pavement on to the road right in front of me when I've been driving causing me to do an emergency stop. Not even an acknowledgement of what they'd done.

They look like fun and I understand why people use them, I think new legislation is needed to sort out where they can go. Because people don't buy them and think they'll just stay in their garden or drive.

DynamoKev · 16/04/2021 18:53

@jacspatoutthecat

So just out of interest if anybodys kids/teens do have them are they are insured?? And when you buy them they are obviously bought in a parents name who has a driving licence. Am I correct???

They cannot be insured for kids to ride in public as that's illegal Not sure what you mean by "bought in a parents name" - they are not illegal to buy and no seller will want or need to ask you for a licence - there is no point as anywhere you could legally ride one (private land) you wouldn't need a licence for.

CharlotteRose90 · 16/04/2021 18:53

I thought they were illegal. Stupid things. If there not they need to be on the road only. I’m so sick of walking my dog and seeing bikes and scooters on the pavement. I won’t and will not move for them it’s a joke now.

DynamoKev · 16/04/2021 18:55

www.gov.uk/guidance/e-scooter-trials-guidance-for-users

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 16/04/2021 19:00

Literally the only good thing I can say about them is that they seem to have replaced scramble bikes round our way.

Still remember the little shit who decided to screech past me doing a wheelie on a narrow footpath when I had baby DS in a sling

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