E-Scooters

E-scooters:

We have received reports of children riding E-scooters in and around the community. 

Of primary concern is the safety of the children using them. We will endeavour to encounter, engage, and educate however, please can we remind parents and/ or riders of privately owned E-scooters of the following information:

What is an e-scooter?

Electrical scooters (also known as e-scooters) come under the category of 'powered transporters'. This covers a range of personal transport devices that are powered by a motor.

E-scooters are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988. This means the rules that apply to motor vehicles, also apply to e-scooters including the need to have a licence and insurance.

There are two ways of using an E-scooter:

By privately owning one or renting one through an authorised rental scheme.

Owning your own e-scooter:

It's currently not possible to get insurance for privately owned e-scooters. 

This means it’s illegal to use them on the road or in public spaces, such as parks, street pavements, and shopping areas.

If you use a privately-owned e-scooter in public, you risk the vehicle being seized under S.165 Road Traffic Act 1988 for having no insurance. 

If you cause serious harm to another person whilst riding an e-scooter, the incident will be investigated in the same way it would if you were riding a motorcycle or driving a car. 

Where you can use your own e-scooter:

If you own an e-scooter, you can only use it in on private land, such as in a garden. But you must have the permission of the landowner to do so.

Rental e-scooters:

You can rent e-scooters in some parts of the UK through e-scooter rental trials.

Where a rental trial scheme is running, rental e-scooters can be used on public roads, some cycle lanes, and other public spaces. But you must follow the relevant road traffic laws. If you don’t, you could face prosecution.

To use a rental e-scooter in an approved area you must:

Hold the correct driving licence (find out about driving licence categories) Driving licence categories - GOV.UK

Have insurance (the rental companies provide this when you hire from them)

Meet the minimum age limit (this can vary depending on the rental company, so please check with them)

When riding an e-scooter, you should always keep to the speed limit. We also always recommend wearing safety protection such as a helmet.

Penalties and offences for e-scooters:

Riders who do not have insurance could get six penalty points and a £300 fine. 

If a rider is under the influence of drink or drugs they can be arrested and lose their driving licence.

The rules apply to everyone

The rules apply to both adults and under 18's.

 If a child is stopped riding an E-scooter in a public place, we will provide advice to them and their parents. If this advice is ignored, we may take further action.

If you breach the rules when using an e-scooter you could face a fixed penalty notice, the seizure of your e-scooter and its disposal.

Police have the power to seize illegally ridden E-scooters

For further information please visit our website by following the link below 

 Advice on e-scooter usage | North Yorkshire Police

By working together, we can help keep our children and the wider community safe.