E-scooters, friends or foe?
Today, Labour Beam Park candidate Trevor McKeever writes in the Havering Daily on the ongoing debate of the electric scooter.
With the upcoming festive period just around the corner, what will be the toys of the year, a question my grandsons have given me many answers to.
One such request was for an Electric Scooter, more commonly referred to as the E- Scooter, whilst not illegal to sell or buy, compliance with the law is an issue.
The law states that the E-Scooter cannot be driven on a pavement or Public Highway, this also includes cycle lanes, the only place it can be used is on private land with the permission of the landowner.
The question I raised with a police officer was, if the local council or TFL has an E-Scooter rental scheme can a privately owned scooter be used in the same area, the answer was NO, only E-Scooters allocated for rental by TFL and local councils can be driven on roads,
Requirements to Ride a E-Scooter, firstly: You must have a provisional or full driving licence.
You must be over eighteen years of age.
You will have to take an E-Learning Safety Course before you hire for the first time.
E-Scooters are treated as Motor Vehicles by the Department of Transport and are subjected to the same legal laws as other vehicles, namely, M.O.T, Tax, and insurance, also not all E- Scooters have Number plates, rear lights, or the ability to signal.
So could my grandson or any one fall foul of the law? The answer to that is of course yes, if found riding on a road or public footpath, going through a red light, using a mobile phone or drink driving. I’m informed that the police are taking an approach of advice and education of the law at first, but this does depend on the seriousness of the offence.
Penalties may range from a fixed penalty notice for no insurance, which carries a £300 fine and six points on your licence, not in possession of a valid driving license, carries a fine of up to £100 and between three and six points on your licence, which can be added retrospectively if you do not have a licence at the time of the offence.
In conclusion, will I be getting my grandson a E-Scooter this Christmas? The answer to that is a big NO, not until such times as he can legally comply with the current laws.
I will wait for the conclusion of the twelve-month trials being carried out by Government across towns and cities in the UK, to see the viability of E-Scooters as an alternative mode of transport which may ease the burden on other transport networks.
Trevor Mckeever
Prospective Labour Candidate for Beam Park
I am part of the HRA, a Councillor for St Andrews Ward. I have been part of the SNT (Police) Panel since its inception over 10 years ago.
In the last few months we set a priority for the local SNT police to stop and advise (or fine, possibly confiscate the scooter if appropriate) the people using E-Scooters. The hope is that the initial stop will only lead to advice.
It is not yet legal to use an E-Scooter on the roads (or pavements) in Havering.
These type of scooters are in use legally in many parts of Europe. Much like the ‘Boris Bike’ these devices are rented. The devices are monitored, maintained and traceable.
It is likely we will get there and they will become legal, for now though please avoid buying these as gifts and please be aware of the legality of use.
I have never seen anyone stopped or arrested using and E-Scooter. They wiz passed people’s front gates riding on the pavement, the same as cyclists ride on the pavements without being cautioned. When someone is seriously injured they may do something to stop these idiots. I see them everyday on E-Scooters, bicycles and people using mobile phones in their cars, driving with one hand, so they cannot signal. If I can see these lawbreakers why can’t the police. The answer is, there are no police patrolling our streets, so it will continue until serious accidents start happening. Also it should be law that cyclists and E-scooters have at least a bell on their vehicles. Rant over, thank you.