E-scooters: What's Legal and What Isn't

I wanted to provide you with an update regarding dangerous driving and speeding, which some members around this area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the Met Engage priority survey.

While Schools are off, we are increasingly seeing the illegal and dangerous use of electric bikes and e-scooters in public areas, especially in the park, pavements, and pedestrian zones. Many of these vehicles are not road legal, uninsured, and are often ridden without helmets or proper training—putting both the riders and the public at risk.

What you need to know

🛴 E-scooters are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988, meaning that the rules that apply to motor vehicles, also apply to e-scooters.

🛴 It is illegal to use a privately owned e-scooter on the road or in public spaces, such as parks, street pavements, and shopping centres. 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.

🛴 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.

🚲 Only electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs) are classed as road legal, and can be used without a licence or insurance if you're 14 or over, but they...
- must have pedals that you can use to propel it
- must have an electric motor that can run continuously at a maximum power of no more than 250 watts
- must have no electrical assistance once you reach 15.5 miles per hour (mph)
🚲 If your electric bike fails to meet any of these requirements, it needs to be taxed and insured as either a motorcycle or moped

Our priority is always community safety, and we're aware of the nuisance that the anti-social and illegal use of these vehicles are causing within our community.

If someone is driving a motor vehicle, they should always be doing so in a safe and considerate manner. Even momentary lapses in judgement can have life changing or devastating consequences for those in the vehicle or innocent bystanders. 

Activities such as street racing, cruising or performing tricks can count as anti-social behaviour. If you are concerned about this in your area, visit our website for the latest guidance and how you can report this. You can also report dangerous driving in your area. 

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