To be really upset DH bought DD an electric scooter I said no to?

[AspDude]

I said no because I don’t think she’s old enough (8), and I worry about safety. They’re not toys and I’ve seen how fast they go. DH knew how I felt, we’ve had the conversation more than once. This morning he just handed her one as a surprise while I was making breakfast. Huge excitement, I had to smile through it but I’m livid. He says I’m overreacting and it’s not a big deal but I feel totally undermined. We’re meant to be on the same page with this stuff. I don’t even want her to have it now on principle.

AIBU to be this upset?

Apart from the unanimous responses which are correct, there will also be the risk of burning your house down with the dodgy unregulated battery that it no doubt has

Haven't the batteries on e-scooters sometimes started fires? They are banned on SE trains because of the fire risk. Look up news stories about house fires caused by e-scooters and e-bikes.

Way too young. I tried one last year and so did my DC who was 15 at the time. We both struggled to balance properly etc on it as they're so heavy.

I can't imagine anyone, unless having the land to use it, buying a child an electric scooter it's technically motorised vehicle, they're not slow, or light in weight some DC can't control push one's.
Same as hoover boards.

Privately owned scooters have always been illegal to use in public places
I suspect parents/owners knew this but carried on regardless, equally I think the authorities have been turning a blind eye.

Until now....in our area they are finally being confiscated, it's unbelievable how many parents/owners kick off at the police for doing so claiming they didn't know, it's been widely broadcast.

IMO both are at fault, those that have bought and used them on public ground and the police for not implementing the rules years ago.

I fully support you as much as my 30+ year old son had one and broke 3 ribs and his collar bone. Tell him that.

YANBU to feel upset, YABU not to have speedy divorce.

Friends daughter broke both tib and fib last year. Despite being told she could only ride it around their property (decent bit of land), she took it out onto the street and crashed it into someone’s car. Obviously, they weren’t insured so they had to pay for the damage to the car and daughter was out of school for weeks. The police came and seized the scooter. She was 9 at the time. They’re sooo dangerous. Luckily after this all her friends decided they didn’t want one anymore - including my daughter.

I do think there’s a bit of wanting to be the fun one going on. I also think he genuinely didn’t know they were illegal - but that’s not really an excuse. He had every chance to look into it properly, or just listen to me when I raised it.

DD is very taken with it obviously so I’m going to have to tread carefully, but yes, I’ve told them both it’s not being used anywhere other than the drive. I’ll be asking for the receipt tonight. I don’t want to be over the top but it’s not safe, it’s not legal, and the more I read the more shocked I am that he thought this was fine.

Was that legal for you to ride though?

Those things are so dangerous! I really hate them so much. Saw a mum returning one in Argos recently, the scooter was bigger than her kid! I wonder whether the dad bought it & she was returning it because they're so dangerous.

I'd be absolutely fuming. What a total prick.

There are stories on the news weekly (if not more!) of kids being killed on these.

No way would my kids have one and no way would 'D'H get away with buying one behind my back either! That is a big buy for one person to decide on.

Find a private area she can use.. Insist dh takes her every night after school after he has bought her proper protective stuff. He'll soon get sick.
Then you won't be the Bad Guy.

I wish the police would seize them around here. They are so dangerous and you can’t see them coming. I always remember the little girl killed in the park by an e-scooter rider, it’s just awful. So dangerous for all the kids I see on them, usually in pairs. They are very exposed on the roads and with no helmets.

Tell him he can charge it tied to the back fence. No way would I have it anywhere near the house. They explode and are very difficult to put out.

https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/lithium-batteries/the-dangers-of-electric-scooter-and-electric-bicycle-batteries/

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2025/jun/05/record-number-of-ebike-fires-in-uk-prompts-renewed-risk-warnings

Age 15 I’d discourage heavily with it being illegal
age 8? Totally idiotic

what’s wrong with a bike or unmotorised scooter

he is an idiot.

This is a video from a mum whose boy was killed one an electric scooter near to where we live.

She has done this to highlight the issues and dangers - Jacob’s Journey - Life over Death - YouTube

Trigger warning - some people will find this heartbreaking :(

OP, I've only read your posts but has he actually bought it for himself?

this scientific paper out today gives the statistics on how they are more dangerous than a bike, especially for young people

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-12627-x

and the risks of the battery catching fire and burning the house down are also far too high

Be interested to know his rationale for doing this, considering everyone knows they are illegal and can’t be used outside anyway unless you have a license and insurance. Is he planning to buy her driving lessons before she reaches 9?

@TashaG absolutely heartbreaking.

Those things are so dangerous. Here in Bristol there is a "trial scheme" of hire scooters, which are the only legal way to operate them on public roads. You have to have a valid driving licence to be able to hire one. The idea of parents buying their small children illegal electric scooters is madness to me. I saw some probably 13/14yos on them yesterday, bombing their way down a busy road amidst the traffic - no one ever wears helmets or anything else on them and they're risking their lives.

Oh god, they are illegal, except on private land. They can go fast and are dangerous at speed anywhere! Your husband is in the wrong. What if she has an accident? Get rid of the thing quick!

They have had the police in at my boys' (secondary) school to warn of the dangers and to remind children they are illegal. The police have also announced a crack down on them being ridden on pavements etc.

You have a bigger issue though with DH - I would be having a long conversation about how important it is to be on the same page with big decisions - especially as you head into the teenage years....!

No it wasn't but we were on privet ground.

Sit him down - tell him it is going back and that you are BOTH going to tell DD together. Tell DD that your Dad did not understand the law and now he knows it is not allowed as she is too young.