North Wales Police urg people to know law surrounding e-scooters before buying one

North Wales Police are urging people to know the law surrounding electric scooters or e-scooters before purchasing or using one. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

E-scooters have increased in popularity over recent years, but police say there is “a lot of confusion around where they can be used.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

They are currently only legal to ride on private land with the landowner’s permission, or as part of a Government trial. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The UK Government is currently taking part in ‘Future Transport Zone’ trials for e-scooter hire, with a view to making them legal to use on a road. However, at present, north Wales are NOT part of these trials. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Officers are reminding people that “riding an e-scooter in public when it is not part of an authorised trial is against the law, and can result in penalty points, a fine and seizure of the vehicle.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

E-scooters are classified as Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs), so they are treated as a motor vehicle and subject to the same legal requirements such as MOT, licensing, tax and insurance. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

As e-scooters don’t have number plates, signal ability and don’t always have a visible rear light, they can’t be used legally on the roads. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Sergeant Liam Ho of the Roads Policing Unit is urging local residents to familiarise themselves with the legislation. He said: “We understand that buying an e-scooter can be tempting, especially as you can buy them from many popular retailers. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“However, the current law is clear. You can buy one but you can’t ride it on a public road, cycle lane or pavement. E-scooters can only be used on private land with the permission of the landowner. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“With the summer months just around the corner we want to ensure that children and parents/carers understand the danger these machines pose to both the rider and pedestrians. Often, riders are not wearing a safety helmet and some e-scooters can reach speeds of up to 60mph – so it’s not hard to imagine what the result could be in the event of a collision.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

North Wales Police understand the public’s support for environmentally friendly modes of transport and want to work with the public to make sure that the roads are safe for everyone. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Sergeant Ho added: “We will continue to engage with the public to make them aware of the law regarding e-scooters and I would encourage parents and carers to ensure their children are following the guidelines correctly. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“If you own an e-scooter do not ride these machines in public places. Comply with the law for your own safety and the safety of others. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Section 59 of the Police Reform Act allows police to give road users a warning if they are reported to have used their vehicle in a manner which causes alarm, distress or annoyance. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“We also have the powers to seize vehicles – please make sure you keep e-scooters on private land, with the landowner’s permission, to ensure this does not happen to you.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Further information on the use of e-scooters is available here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/e-scooter-trials-guidance-for-users ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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