As e-scooter popularity soars, UK scooter law concerns are growing around public awareness of the legal standpoint on their usage, how safe the vehicles are and, if you are in possession of an e-scooter, how they can be safely and adequately maintained. Here we shed light on the mounting calls for e-scooter legislation, and offer advice from two leading e-scooter manufacturers regarding their safe maintenance.

Despite the strict ban on riding personal e-scooters in public places, sales continue to skyrocket. Halfords reports that e-mobility product sales have nearly tripled over the last year. The cycling retailer says sales have grown by 184 percent in the first half of the financial year, and they expect a further surge in the lead up to Christmas.

While it is legal to sell and purchase mountain bike and an e-scooter in the UK for personal use, they cannot be legally ridden on public land (roads, cycle lanes or pavements) unless the e-scooter is ridden in an area that’s part of a trial where road and cycle lane use is permitted.

In the absence of reliable accident data and figures drawing comparisons to other modes of transport to fully understand e-scooter safety, trials were brought forward. New regulations allowing rental e-scooter trials came into force in July 2020.

While trials are now ongoing in limited places in the UK, many local authorities are starting to introduce e-scooter trials, with Bristol, Bath and South Gloucestershire among some of the most recent. Bournemouth is also set to launch e-scooter trials in the coming weeks. E-scooter use on roads and cycle lanes is permitted in trial scheme areas.

With growing popularity of e-scooters alongside EAPCs (electrically assisted pedal cycles) and autonomous vehicles (AV), the need for an appropriate legislative and insurance regime like E-Wheelz which applies to these vehicle types is significant.