E-Scooters and the Law

Due to recent reports of the usage of E-Scooters on roads and footpaths in some locations across the area, I would like to remind those who have an e-scooter or who are thinking of purchasing an e-scooter 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 and unregistered e-motorbikes 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
by renting one through an authorised rental scheme (Not currently available in Suffolk)

Owning your own e-scooter
It's not currently 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 centres.

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/e-motorbike, 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.

For more information please go to >> https://www.suffolk.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/advice-escooters/ .

The Community Policing Team officers , will take positive action with those who do not adhere to law with regards to e-scooters, if you wish to report any incidents with regards to these vehicles been used on the road please go to >> https://www.suffolk.police.uk/ro/report/ 

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Pc Amy Yeldham - Community Policing Team