
UK government advised to consider new private e-scooter legislation
04/04/2022
2 minutes
Source: European Transport Safety Council
European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) member, PACTS, has set out recommendations for private e-scooter use in the UK if the vehicles are to become legal. This includes mandatory helmet use and a minimum rider age of 16. Recommendations were based on a nine-month research project.
At present, e-scooter use in the UK is limited to city-specific rental schemes. Private usage is restricted to private land, despite this over a million such vehicles have entered the UK in recent years and it is not uncommon to see them in a public setting. Many users are either ignorant of or ignore the ban on public use and face fines or confiscation.
Following its research, PACTS has published a comprehensive report looking at many aspects of e-scooter design and use which took into account research and experience from across the rest of Europe, where e-scooters are legal in most countries. This is seen by PACTS as the ideal legal scenario in which to launch private e-scooter ownership in the UK. Recommendations are as follows:
- Maximum possible top speed of between 10mph-12.5mph (16-20km/h)
- Maximum continuous rated motor power 250 W
- Anti-tampering mechanisms should be included in the construction. Tampering should be prohibited by law
- A maximum unladen weight of 20kg
- A minimum front wheel size of 12 inches (30.5cm) and minimum rear wheel size of 10 inches (25.5cm)
- Two independently controlled braking devices
- Lighting to be mandatory at all times
- An audible warning device to be mandatory
- Helmet wearing to be mandatory
- Rider age limit of at least 16 years
- Riding on the pavement to be prohibited
- Carrying of a passenger to be prohibited
- Drink driving, dangerous or careless riding, and mobile phone use to be prohibited
- In-person rider training recommended
- e-scooters should be regulated as motor vehicles
- Public liability insurance for riders recommended
- The rider should inform the police if there is a collision involving an injury
