UK - How long does the legalization of electric scooters take? - ESG

UK - How long does the legalization of electric scooters take?

Harrrive

Hi all,

I live in the UK, and here.. well, we’re lagging behind pretty well everyone in terms of PLEV’s and micro-mobility. Laws are apparently being reviewed, but electric scooters are still classed as motor vehicles here, and so are illegal to ride anywhere except privately owned land, with the land owners permission. I’m currently having to rely on the rental electric scooters, but I’d love to be able to own and legally ride one of my own.

It’s hard to find much on the status of the review of these laws surrounding PLEV’s, let alone follow it, but I was wondering what the process was like in other parts of the world, and how long it took for these vehicles to become legalised, if they weren’t already?

I’m also curious on what the regulations are, are there speed or power limits for privately owned electric scooters in the rest of Europe? And how are they seen in America?

Thanks for any info and advice you can give. Looking forward to the ESG Liveshow!

TrinaMcManus

Hi!
The rules are always changing but generally in the UK electric scooters are only legal to ride on private roads. In some regions you can ride an electric scooter on public roads, but only if it is a shared scooter that’s insured as part of a scooter program in that region.

In the U.S., laws vary region by region, state by state, but a general good rule of thumb that I’ve noticed is 15 mph on public roads, abiding by bicycle rules. In some areas, it’s not allowed on public roads but is (at any speed) on private, so unfortunately there’s no widesweeping rules right now. Shared scooters are available in most large cities (some embracing, some hating depending on how the city handles the programs), but in California I’ve seen a quite a few people on personally owned electric scooters.

Unagi has a webpage on scooter-related rules in the U.S. and International, which is helpful but I’m not sure how up to date: https://unagiscooters.com/articles/the-comprehensive-guide-to-electric-scooter-laws/

Reaching out via this forum and finding others in your region may bring some clarity. Sometimes approaching your local traffic enforcement about what is allowed can help.

Hope this helps!

Harrrive

Thanks for your reply, that site gives a great overview. I’m expecting a speed limit of 15mph here, if they are legalised. Setting the bar low so I’m not as disappointed, though it’s hard not to be when we’re eons behind other countries on this.

Again, thank you 🙂

Maccakilbride

I too am waiting for the uk to allow electric scooters to be legal before taking the plunge … I know of the trials around the uk but don’t see an end date ..

would love to get one for travelling to work

dvosknyc

Maccakilbride unfortunately these things are completely locally decided in states , cities , countries that have individual laws. Slowly more and more places are evolving and accepting electric scooters into the eco system. Hopefully the UK will be next for you. Best regards ! David

E-ScooterGuy

The police in the Uk particularly where I live were known to be fairly relaxed on rules against riders who were being sensible and I saw the etwow s+ for just £349 in nov 2020 so I bought in. This was just after voi rental scooters were introduced in my area. Since the start of 2021 it appears there has been a real crackdown on them especially in London and after reading a few stories online it appears that has happened across the whole of the Uk. It’s like now u have rental ones in a lot of areas u have no excuse. So I use mine for short trips to the shops and that’s it really (not even a mile round trip) just to minimise risk of being caught. Voi now do long term rental until the trial ends in October so u can get a rental one to keep and charge at home for £35 a month which isn’t bad and gives u a legal scooter. However this is currently only for residents in the south west region inc bath, Bristol, south glos. London are only just getting trials off the ground so I think nothing will happen until they are done in a years time so 18 months before any legalisation I reckon! If u go on the government website there are e scooter guidelines for rental companies and since I first saw bits of it I think they have added stuff to it. I would not be surprised if what’s on there becomes the law for them.

E-ScooterGuy

Here is the escooter rental operators guidance link

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/e-scooter-trials-guidance-for-local-areas-and-rental-operators/e-scooter-trials-guidance-for-local-areas-and-rental-operators

TrinaMcManus

Here’s our blog on electric scooter laws in the U.S.: https://electric-scooter.guide/blog/electric-scooter-laws-by-state-quick-reference/

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