To be slightly alarmed about this scooter

[Dreamstate]

I was put driving in South London, doing emphasis and there was a teenager on an electric scooter in the middle of the road riding at what I can only assume is emphasis because despite being at 30mph I wasn't even gaining on him .

What the Heck! Since when did scooters become so fast?

Not to mention he had a bit of a wobble as he turned to check behind him and I genuinely thought he was going to come off.

Obviously I was careful leaving plenty of distance but wow...at that speed, zero protection on the road, weaving in and around cars. Thats an accident to waiting to happen.

Did the law chnage and I missed it as I thought they were illegal

@ChainJane -people already have an alternative to cars- bikes. Oh. and trains. And buses, but bus transport needs to be improved where I live. And subsidised for children IMO.

I'm surprised to hear they are illegal. In visited Bristol earlier in the summer and they were available from the council, in heaps on every street corner.

These ones in the trials are a good thing, I think. And no, there's nothing the matter with me:

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristol-bath-e-scooter-trial-4647634.amp

I think they are fine for use on the road / cycle lanes. I don't think they are particularly more dangerous than electric bikes which are legal. They are dangerous on pavements and should not be ridden there (same as bikes really)

Awful things. When learning to drive, we’re taught about vulnerable road users. These seem to be the most vulnerable road users of all - not even as visible as a bicycle, but far faster and far less predictable. Sharing the road with cars, vans and motorbikes seems like madness to me. With bad riding (and there seems to be a lot if it about) I’m not sure drivers and motorcyclists will always even be reasonably able to see these.

Don’t even get me started on riding on the pavement. Almost mowed down in the local park recently when one flew around the corner straight at me. Rider looked totally stoned - idiots like this are easier to avoid when confined to low speeds, bloody dangerous when they aren’t.

Using them on dedicated, properly separated cycle lanes like you see in bike-friendly cities - yes. On roads and pavements in the UK - no. Not fair on other road users.

@Doveyouknow - unless it has changed recently, electric bikes are speed limited. Or should be to be ridden on the road - I had a colleague years ago who had removed the limiter on his, but that wasn’t legal. Always lots of comments about how crazy he was when he went round the car park like a rocket!

Major typo! Meant to say I was out driving doing 30mph and so was the guy in the scooter!

You have to be seriously fit to cycle constantly at 30mph for miles. I dont even think its even possible unless your on a down hill!

This is the thing. They are regulated at the moment with trials and limiters. There’s been two deaths and the non legal ones are everywhere. How are they going to get the cat in the bag with any regulation?