Having worked alongside members of 18 Saint John Street Chambers to develop our knowledge surrounding Escooters and E-bikes, we’ve created this blog to help you stay up to date with the latest laws and regulations in this area.
Are E-scooters legal?
If you live in an urban environment, the chances are you will have seen people whizzing by on silent scooters, barely breaking a sweat and going faster than the average push scooter.
As of July 4th, 2020 it is now legal to use Escooters on roads, in cycle paths and cycle lanes, but there is one catch.
Privately owned scooters could land you in hot water with the relevant authorities if used on public roads and highways, resulting in fines of up to £300 and 6 penalty points on your drivers’ license if you have one.
If you already own an Escooter then you may only use it on private land subject to the land owner’s permission.
However, riding an Escooter will be legal if you hire one from one of the trial areas dotted across the UK.
So far approximately 50 council organisations have registered an interest in hosting the trial scheme.
What are the rules for hire companies and those hiring E-scooters?
Whilst some Escooters can travel speeds up to 80MPH, electric scooters under the government-backed trial scheme will see those available to hire capped at a speed of 15.5MPH.
E-scooters will also only be allowed to be used on roads, cycle lanes and tracks, they are strictly prohibited on footpaths or pavements.
Those looking to hire an Escooter must abide by these rules, however wearing a helmet will be recommended but not mandatory, however, we suggest to remain as safe as possible, that you wear one as we have seen first-hand the damage a head injury can cause.
Is an E-scooter considered a vehicle?
Whilst an Escooter is undoubtedly better for the environment than a traditional fossil fuel powered car or motorcycle, they are still classed as Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs), meaning they are still subject to the laws that other vehicles must adhere to.
Due to Escooters being classified as PLEVs, the owner must ensure the vehicle is licensed, taxed, has a valid MOT, the ability to signal, a number plate and visible rear red lights.
This type of vehicle classification also means that Escooters also meet minimum construction requirements to be considered road legal.
You can learn more about the legalisation of Escooters by clicking here.
What happens if I’m injured in an Escooter accident or collision?
As the prevalence of Escooters continues to increase, so does the likelihood of accidents and the potential for injury.
If you are involved in an Escooter accident or collision our team are here for you.
As experts in road traffic collisions, you can rest assured that we will do all we can to ensure our clients secure any treatment or compensation they may need following their Escooter accident.
Our team also remain at the forefront of the latest legal changes in this area.
If you would like to speak to one of our Escooter solicitors please call us for free today on 0800 1979 345 or complete our online enquiry form by clicking here.
