🛴🚲 ELECTRIC SCOOTERS AND ELECTRIC BIKES — KNOW THE RULES

Electric transport is becoming more popular across Trafford, but there is often confusion about what is legal and what could land riders in trouble.

While electric bikes (when they meet the legal requirements) are treated similarly to bicycles, privately owned electric scooters are currently not legal to use in public places.

Here’s what you need to know.

🛴 PRIVATE ELECTRIC SCOOTERS — NOT LEGAL IN PUBLIC

A privately owned electric scooter (e-scooter) cannot legally be ridden in public places.

This includes:

❌ Roads
❌ Pavements
❌ Parks
❌ Cycle paths and other public areas

The only place you can ride a privately owned e-scooter is on private land with the permission of the landowner.

If you are caught riding an illegal e-scooter in public, you could face:

⚠️ A fine
⚠️ Penalty points on your driving licence
⚠️ Your e-scooter being seized by police

Many riders tell us they believed e-scooters were legal because they see them being used every day. However, the law currently only allows specific rental e-scooter trials operated under government-approved schemes — not privately owned scooters.

🚲 ELECTRIC BIKES — WHEN ARE THEY LEGAL?

An electric bike can be used legally if it meets the requirements of an Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC).

You must be:

✅ Aged 14 or over

A legal EAPC:

✔ Has pedals that can be used to propel the bike
✔ Has an electric motor with a maximum continuous rated power output of 250 watts
✔ Stops providing assistance when the bike reaches 15.5 mph
✔ Displays the required manufacturer and power information

Some approved bikes can move without pedalling up to 15.5 mph, but only if they have the correct approval.

🚲 WHERE CAN YOU RIDE A LEGAL E-BIKE?

If your electric bike is an approved EAPC, you can ride it:

✅ On roads
✅ On cycle paths
✅ Anywhere a normal pedal bike is allowed

However:

❌ You cannot ride an e-bike on pavements.

Pavements are designed for pedestrians, and using bikes or e-bikes there can put other people at risk.

⚠️ WHEN AN ELECTRIC BIKE IS NOT LEGAL

Some electric bikes do not meet the EAPC rules.

Examples include bikes that:

❌ Have a motor more powerful than 250 watts
❌ Can travel faster than 15.5 mph using motor assistance
❌ Do not have pedals that can propel the bike

These vehicles may legally be classed as a moped or motorcycle.

That means they may require:

🏍 Registration
🏍 Tax
🏍 Insurance
🏍 A suitable driving licence
🏍 A motorcycle-standard helmet

If an illegal electric bike is used without the correct requirements, the rider could face fines and the vehicle could be seized.

✅ THE SIMPLE MESSAGE

Before riding any electric vehicle, ask yourself:

“Is this actually a bicycle, or is it a motor vehicle?”

✔ A correctly restricted electric bike = generally treated like a bicycle
❌ A privately owned e-scooter = not legal in public places

Knowing the rules keeps you safe, protects other road and pavement users, and helps prevent enforcement action.

Ride smart. Know the law.