Electric scooters, or e-scooters are two wheeled scooters that are propelled by a motor. Legally, a privately owned e-scooter can only be ridden on private land with the owner or occupier’s permission.

Bournemouth is currently taking part in trials of an e-scooter rental scheme, allowing individuals to hire an e-scooter from an official scheme and ride legally. Privately owned e-scooters are not part of this trial.

Sergeant Paul Harding is concerned about the safety of e-scooter riders, pedestrians and other road users. He said: “We are seeing a lot more people riding e-scooters on pavements, promenades, in parks and even on the road. We are very concerned about the safety of pedestrians, other road users and the riders themselves. Not all riders know that they are classed as powered transport and it is illegal to ride one on public land, this includes roads and pavements. They may find themselves committing an offense under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and, if on the pavement, the Highway Act 1835.”

Police are keen to educate e-scooter riders who may not be aware of the legislation. Sergeant Harding said: “We don’t want to spoil people’s fun, but we want to keep everyone safe. Almost silent on approach, they can easily knock someone over who steps into their path and current trends show riders, regardless of whether they are legal to use or not, are not wearing the correct personal protective equipment to keep them safe.”

Bournemouth-based officers will approach anyone riding an e-scooter and inform them of the law. They will take down the details of the riders and explain where and how e-scooters can be used.

Sergeant Harding concluded by saying: “We advise that if you are using your e-scooter on public land, you should stop doing so immediately. Your e-scooter could be seized, and you could be liable for prosecution for traffic offences.”

The following applies when using e-scooters:

You can ride a privately owned e-scooter on private land and with the landowner’s permission.

It is against the law to ride an e-scooter on any public land including roads, pavements, cycle lanes, beach promenades, bridleways, or any publicly accessible land such as parks and car parks.

An e-scooter is classed as a powered transporter and they are treated as a motor vehicle and fall under the Road Traffic Act 1988. They are subject to the same legal requirements as motor vehicles including MOT, tax, licensing, insurance, and specific construction regulations.

If you are caught using a powered transporter (e-scooter) on a public road, pavement, or other prohibited space you are committing a criminal offence and could be prosecuted. Your e-scooter could be seized, you could end up with a fine, penalty points or even disqualification from driving.