Should it be legal to ride e-scooters on public roads and pavements?
Privately owned e-scooters are classified as motor vehicles and remain illegal on UK public roads, cycle lanes, and pavements in 2026, with use limited to private land. Only rental scooters in authorised government trials can be ridden on roads and cycle infrastructure in participating areas, but not on pavements. Recent studies show e-scooters cause more severe injuries than motorcycles or bicycles, with ongoing trials, a parliamentary review bill, and public concerns over pedestrian safety and illegal use.
25 Opinions
This is a poorly written question, I would have voted yes if it was for roads only.
Yes, with proper regulations, registrations and insurance.
As they are classified as motor vehicles they should remain on the road.. Pavements can be quite narrow and if you meet one or have one coming up behind you, it's could cause an accident.. Which could be more damaging to a human...
Just the other month there was an incident on my road where two teenagers were injured on an electric scooter. My brother's car was parked in the road (legally!) and the scooter swerved round it before realising a car was coming the other way and ran into the kerb before landing on the road. Thankfully the car didn't hit them, but as neither were wearing helmets (as stupid teenagers tend to do) one had picked up quite a nasty head wound.
There's no safe way to enforce this even if it was licensed and insured the police can barely be bothered to stop illegal electric motorbikes as it is
Not difficult respect the law. These users are selfish & dangerous. Should not be an issue but Police too keen on prosecuting hurty words.
I have seen so many near misses due to these, apparently immortal, lackwits charging around with out due care and consideration, than it isn’t funny. It should be illegal to sell one without proof of training and insurance held by the operator. The parents of children under 16 that ride one should be held liable for their dangerous stupidity.
I've visited Budapest a few times before and they have these scooters everywhere, they seem to work really well there at least. Not sure why they wouldn't work as well in this country? I suppose there are more idiots here that would ruin these scooters for everyone and get somebody badly hurt... I'm not sure, but I definitely think they could work.
All E-Scooters should have to be registered, licensed, insured & no one under 14 should be allowed on them. Road use only and all relevant road traffic rules & laws apply. Until that is in place they stay off the streets and roads.
Not pavements, wtf?