It is in fact illegal to ride privately owned electric scooters in public.
If you use a privately owned e-scooter on a public road or footpath, police say you are breaking the law.
E-scooters are classed as a motor vehicle so the rules that apply to motor vehicles also apply to e-scooters.
This includes having a driving licence, valid insurance and even paying road tax.
The current rental e-scooters including Lime and Spin, which you can most often find around Milton Keynes estates, are part of a government trial to pilot the use of electric scooters and so can be used on a public road.
Residents are also being reminded that you may use a trial e-scooter on the road (except motorways) and in cycle lanes, not on the pavement.
Safety rules for trial e-scooter users:
- e-scooters should only be used within the local area hosting the trial
- e-scooters should be used by one person at a time.
- you must not tow anything using an e-scooter
- you must not use a mobile phone when using an e-scooter
- you may use a screen to display navigation information, but this must be set up prior to setting off
- always ensure bags or other small items you are carrying will not cause a danger to you or others around you – for example, never hang them from the handlebars
- you should not ride an e-scooter while drunk or otherwise intoxicated – you may be prosecuted under drink or drug driving laws as careless and dangerous driving offences also apply to users of e-scooters
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you should also refer to the terms of use of the e-scooter operator before renting a trial e-scooter
