E-Scooter owners in Herefordshire are being warned that they risk prosecution and having their E-scooter seized by officers.
In a post, West Mercia Police said:
“There has been an increase in the use of E-Scooters across the UK.
“Please note the below advice and information in relation to using E-Scooters on public roads and public areas, and don’t put yourself or a family member at risk of prosecution and the scooter being seized.
“E-scooters are a growing trend of new personal transport that come under the category of “powered transporters”.
“This also covers a range of other personal transport devices which are powered by a motor, like Segways. ‘Powered transporters’ fall within the legal definition of a motor vehicle under the Road Traffic Act 1988.
“Therefore, the rules that apply to motor vehicles – cars and motorbikes, also apply to e-scooters.
“As a motor vehicle, they must comply with various pieces of Road Traffic Legislation, including but not limited to:
- driving with a licence
- driving/riding with insurance
- driving/riding other than on a road
- need to be registered and taxed
“Of course you can’t register and tax them because they don’t meet the safety regulations required, so the result is that you simply are not allowed to use them on roads, pavements, or other public places.
“If you do use an E-Scooter in those places you could face prosecution. Even if you are given a fixed penalty ticket, riding without insurance attracts a £300 fine and 6 points on your driving licence.
“If you don’t have a licence, the points would be on it when you apply for one.
“Further fines could be imposed for riding without a licence, riding on the pavement or off-road. Worse still, the matter could be referred to a magistrates court where fines and points can be higher.
“The police can also seize and destroy the E-Scooter if it is ridden without a licence or insurance, or carelessly in a manner likely to alarm, distress or annoy people – even if this is off the road.
Where can I ride an E-Scooter?
“It is legal to use an e-scooter on private land with the permission of the land owner.
“The government recognises that this type of personal transport might be useful and environmentally friendly so has also announced that there can be trials in specified areas.
“These are for rental E-Scooters only and the places they can be used are ‘geo-fenced’. The rental fee covers the insurance.”
Where can I get more information?
“The.gov website offers detailed information about the law and about the E-Scooter trials.
“Visit www.gov.uk and search for terms such as ‘Powered Transporters’, ‘Mini-Scooters’ or ‘E-Scooters’ or ‘E-Scooter trials’.
“There is also advice about driving/ riding law and penalties.
“You can also look up the related laws at legislation.co.uk
“Sec 59 Police reform Act (Anti-Social driving on or off road)
“Sec 34 Road Traffic Act (Driving Off Road)
“The Road Traffic Act allow determines the requirement for careful riding with a licence and insurance.
“Different legislation permits ‘Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles, Mobility Scooters, but as yet there is no legislation permitting use of E-Scooters in publicly places outside of the government trials.”
